Welcome to the Censemaking Methods Series where today we look at how to apply principles to guiding evaluation and strategy. This builds on our previous lessons on Principles-Focused Evaluation and the building blocks that underpin the approach. What are principles and why do they matter? Principles are anchors between values and strategy that allow for decision-making […]
Using Principles To Frame Strategy and Evaluation Read More »
In this latest in our Censemaking Methods Series we turn our focus toward applying design to generating impact through better events and gatherings. Crafting an unforgettable gathering is an alchemy of art and science. Through intentional design, we can learn from service design From board retreats, annual general meetings, to brainstorming sessions, a stellar event
Designing More Powerful Events For Greater Impact Read More »
When we talk about complexity, what does it mean? I’ll peek at an everyday phenomenon to illustrate why things are far more complex and complicated than they used to be. The term complexity is used a lot to describe social life, institutions, and the state of the world, but what does it really look like?
What Complexity In Everyday Life Looks Like Read More »
Allostasis is a term that can make a big difference in shaping our understanding of change and what it means for us. Biological processes can provide explanations and metaphors that guide how we view and approach change. Among the most popular is homeostasis. Homeostatic processes view things from a set point or baseline and view
Allostatic Change And Why It Matters Read More »
Social innovation has stalled while its need has never been greater: How might we bring it back to life? This second of a two-part series that builds on a piece originally published on Medium. A new dawn for social innovation could be upon us if we look closely. As I outlined in an earlier article,
Social Innovation’s Update: Part 2 – An Opportunity and Future Read More »
Social innovation was once at the leading edge for social impact thinking and now seems stalled: what happened? This first of a two-part series builds on a piece I published on Medium and can be read here. Social Innovation was a term I used regularly to describe my field of interest. I loved how it
Social Innovation’s Update: Part 1 – A Complicated History Read More »
Complexity is straining the ability of traditional plans to function as designed. When mass systems change is afoot, the key is not to jettison traditional planning, but collaborate with complexity rather than ignore it. In an earlier post I made the case that the days of linear planning were over. I stand by that, but
Cooperative Complexity and Planning Read More »
What does systemic change at an exponential level look like? Look around and you’ll see why a new approach to perceiving the world is now critical. The first question above is answered below: Whether it’s area burned (above) or carbon emissions (below), the Canadian wildfire situation is a start and gigantic example of what exponential
Exponential Lessons for Systems Action Read More »
Innovation has a language problem and unless we address it people will continue to dismiss or inflate its place in helping us create a world we want. #innovation
Innovation Has A Language Problem Read More »
Boring and dull get a bad rap. Innovation, despite its popular image, is often boring and dull, but it also leads to fulfilment and that is an exciting outcome worth striving for. Boring is the day-to-day work that most of us do. It’s consistent, largely uneventful, and steady. It’s what allows us to create reliable
Innovation Is Like Everyday Life: Mostly Dull and Occasionally Dramatic Read More »
