My weekly posts
Are we seeing the world, or just the blood vessels in our eye
I often wonder: are we seeing reality, or just our own assumptions reflected back at us? Too many ‘complexity’ models simplify, demand loyalty, or make others wrong—this isn’t shared learning. Real change needs curiosity, reflection, and a mix of approaches: shifting conditions, surfacing the implicit, and embedding learning. A good framework should invite questions, not close them down. If it doesn’t, whose agenda is it really serving? https://www.linkedin.com/posts/antlerboy_complexity-activity-7350828625828429826-TQdG
Courses and events
Financial Times expert survey on management consultancies – vote now!
If you’re a consultant then you can vote in the peer survey to find Britain’s leading consultancy. RedQuadrant has done well for the past eight years. Usually, we’ve been listed in the public and social sector, organisation and change, people and performance, or in strategy. https://engage.statista-research.com/index.php?r=survey/index&sid=358489&lang=en.
Commissioning Compass: systems assessment for change
Our newly launched tool, the Commissioning Compass, helps you to assess your commissioning system and form an action plan for improvement. It’s available for free via our Teachable site – try it now! link.redquadrant.com/commissioningcompass
This September – Outcomes-based commissioning: a ten-step introduction
We’ve announced new dates for our introduction to commissioning course at the PSTA, perfect for early career commissioners in police, justice, health, care, children’s services, or other commissioning disciplines. Register your interest now. https://link.redquadrant.com/10step0925
Next National Commissioning Academy
We’re building our cohort for the next national commissioning academy – our flagship commissioning programme from the PSTA. Register your interest now: https://link.redquadrant.com/nextacademy25
Level 7 Systems Thinking Practitioner Apprenticeship
Work in England or Wales? Want to develop your systems thinking skills? Sign up now for the next cohort of the Level 7 Systems Thinking Practitioner Apprenticeship — Cherith Simmons, with experts from SCiO (including me). It’s funded by the apprenticeship levy to the end of the year. https://app.sli.do/event/pJLVg5fZ4NZocjSi8uEqim
SysPrac25 – The Systems Thinking Practitioner Conference.
3-4 September, Milton Keynes. SCiO, The Open University, and the International Federation for Systems Research (IFSR) are excited to invite you to SysPrac25 — the essential conference for systems thinking practitioners, learners, and leaders. Join us on 3rd and 4th September 2025 at the Open University campus in Milton Keynes for two dynamic days of insight, interaction, and innovation. Book your place now: www.sysprac25.org
Things I shared on socials:
IfG DevoLab #1: How devolution can address health inequalities
Their first event explored how mayors and local leaders can use devolved powers to reduce health inequalities. Watch the event now. https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/devolab-devolution-health-inequalities
Systemic Design Hub – this week in system design – AND Co-ordinated Management of Meaning
[Since Co-ordinated Management of Meaning, which I love, is featured heavily in this well-worth-it weekly email, I’m pasting the entire content here (including the appropriately self-referential Eno/Beer links link) https://wp.me/p8QJZw-6Cl
Institute for Government DevoLab.
An initiative from the Institute for Government, dedicated to exploring the policy and governance innovations enabled by devolution. https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/ifg-devolab
The challenge of practicing systemic design (or any work that aims to shift deeper roots and structures) is a systemic issue in itself
Deng (2025), LinkedIn https://wp.me/p8QJZw-6CM
Collaborative community approach to supporting the adult social care front door: implementation guide. LGA.
This document is a ‘how to’ guide for the development of a collaborative community approach to supporting the adult social care front door. Rather than being prescriptive, this guide aims to empower practitioners to think about what might work best in their local context and to provide the tools to help them. https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/event/devolab-devolution-health-inequalities
Call for student and apprentice case study submissions for the Lucy Loh Memorial prize at #SysPrac25
The winning entry will receive a £500 cash prize and be awarded the Lucy Loh Memorial Prize. Runners-up will be recognised with certificates across several categories. https://wp.me/p8QJZw-6Cw
chosen path 