I primarily work with what is sometimes called 'second-order change,' meaning when the goal is not primarily to get better at what you’re already good at, but instead to do things differently or do something else entirely. The topics on this page can be part of a lecture, a workshop, a text, a video, or a more formalised training.
Our mental models
Reality is represented in our minds by models. If those models are good representations of reality, we will behave rationally and achieve good results. If we don’t achieve good results, it is either because we are not good at what we do, or, more commonly and more deceptively, because our mental models do not accurately reflect reality.
Paradigm shift
When models need to be replaced, we often call it a 'paradigm shift.' When we moved from a geocentric worldview to a heliocentric one, it was precisely such a shift. In society and in our organisations, we sometimes need to change models as well, and it’s wise to understand both how such changes can be made—and how and why resistance to paradigm shifts develops.
Experience and vision, innovation and tradition
Sometimes we are driven by our history, sometimes by our future. Typically, experience-driven organisations (and leaders) are also strong bearers of tradition but weaker at innovation. Conversely, vision-driven organisations are strong innovation systems.
Sleipner
One way to manage second-order changes is to divide your operations into parts and move only one part at a time. I use a model that I call Sleipner, named after Odin’s eight-legged horse. By keeping seven of the legs on the ground, we can quite safely lift the eighth. The 'legs' are things like customers/users, competence, equipment, location, suppliers, and other factors.
Radical change
To achieve second-order change, and to be able to argue for it, we must believe that the result will be radically better. We need to express ourselves in terms of 'halving,' 'eliminating,' or 'multiplying' and 'thousandfold,' instead of thinking in terms of 10% or 110% improvements.
