Transduction – leading transformation – Issue #196

My weekly posts

The map is the territory

It’s tempting to believe that better data or dashboards reveal reality, but as Heinz von Foerster said, the map is the territory — we live entirely within our own framings. In my latest piece and podcast, I explore what this means for leadership, judgment, and management in a world obsessed with automation. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/antlerboy_leadership-systemsthinking-complexity-activity-7383388580032696320-oRRA

Is professionalising systems practice the ultimate #futureofwork paradox?

At this year’s SysPrac25 conference, we explored whether professionalising systems practice is the ultimate #futureofwork paradox. How can we embed #systemsthinking in institutions that resist it, and spread systemic insight without turning it into orthodoxy? I left energised by a community truly coming of age. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/antlerboy_futureofwork-systemsthinking-systemicconsulting-activity-7383771010082164736-Kmr1

SysPrac25 – Reflections on Professionalising Systems Practice

SysPrac25 was more than a conference — it felt like a milestone in the professionalisation of systems practice. I joined 160 practitioners, academics, and apprentices exploring how to embed learning systems in our institutions, balance theory and practice, and keep systems thinking alive, human, and useful. I left inspired and hopeful for our field’s future.

http://www.syscoi.com

SysPrac25 – Reflections on Professionalising Systems Practice

Courses and events

Introducing the RedQuadrant Local Government Reorganisation hub

Local Government Reorganisation is coming fast. By April 2028, every new authority must be safe, legal, and fully operational. That means statutory officers secured, ICT cutovers rehearsed, services live, and residents experiencing seamless continuity. The RedQuadrant LGR Hub is the only model that guarantees readiness while embedding lasting capability. With a single accountable structure, governance at its core, and capability pillars across adults, children’s, SEND, ICT, finance, housing, and place, the Hub ensures no gaps, no surprises. Three outcomes, every time: Safe and legal on day one; Visible assurance and confidence in delivery; Future-ready capacity with transformation built in. Find out more now: https://www.redquadrant.com/lgrhub

Level 7 Systems Thinking Practitioner Apprenticeship

The new apprenticeship Leading and Commissioning for Outcomes in Complexity – Convening Systems Change can supercharge your career and transform your organisation. Fully funded Level 7 programme this year only! Real-world impact through applied systems thinking. For commissioners, system leaders, and systems change-makers. Forfurther information, see https://www.publicservicetransformation.org/level-7-apprenticeship-course-leading-and-commissioning-for-outcomes-in-complexity-convening-systems-change-free-webinar-on-20-august-2025-1230pm-uk-time/

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

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

Things I shared on socials:

Reimagining Systems Thinking as Cybersystemic Researching: An Invitation to a Cyber-Systemic Co-Inquiry – Ison et al (2025)

This paper reimagines the future of systems research as an enacted cybersystemic praxis that moves beyond traditional notions of systems thinking. Through this paper, we call for a renewed commitment to cybersystemic thinking that enables new forms of knowing and acting in the Anthropocene, positioning systems research as a vital practice for navigating complex global challengeshttps://wp.me/p8QJZw-6MH

Resharing Simon Bottery on LinkedIn.

This may be shouting at the moon but there are two problems with this story.1️⃣ Obviously, the use of ‘bed blockers’. Horrible term. 2️⃣ The statement that the biggest driver of delays is a lack of hashtag#socialcare capacity. In fact, the issue is OUT-OF-HOSPITAL capacity and there is no way of splitting responsibility between social care and the NHS – the data simply isn’t published… https://www.linkedin.com/posts/simon-bottery-20539a8_bed-blockers-are-costing-the-nhs-26billion-activity-7384852982640828416-8L7g?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAACuq-oBecVFDW6PCf3lkoG-peMeuLBeoho

Pacing Changes, Appreciating Approaches to Systems and Designing | RSD14 – David Ing

For the audience of designers at the RSD14 symposium, a list of 9 approaches to systems changes was offered for discussion. https://wp.me/p8QJZw-6Mw

Benjamin P. Taylor on the latest episode of the Cyb3rSyn Labs Podcast

If your ‘philosophy of management’ is really a reaction – a rebellion against something you hated – rather than a considered choice…then what will your people give you? Not gratitude. Mild affection – they’ll like you – but behind their smiles will be frustration, confusion, distrust. They’ll sense the tension: ‘which version of you am I supposed to follow today?’ The insecure foundation leaks. The structure looks positive, but feels hollow.https://www.linkedin.com/posts/antlerboy_leadership-systemsthinking-complexity-activity-7384697120584417280-WX-J?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAACuq-oBecVFDW6PCf3lkoG-peMeuLBeoho

Refreshing a Curriculum in Systems Thinking and Social Systems Designing for Learners in a Graduate Program – David Ing

An experience report on revising the Understanding Systems SFIN-6011 course at OCADU was presented at the 21 National & International Conference of the Hellenic Society for Systemic Studies (HSSS). https://wp.me/p8QJZw-6Mq

Is there someone who writes about systems thinking and disability I should read? (Skeet from Yvonne Lam on Bluesky)

Is there someone who writes about systems thinking and disability that you’d recommend I read? Consider this a wide net; I don’t know quite what I’m looking for, so I can’t ask a more focused question… https://wp.me/p8QJZw-6Mk