My weekly posts
A critique of Taylor’s ‘A more useful fly-bottle – systems | cybernetics | complexity in six diagrams’ – (also Taylor, 2026)
I’m testing my own systems thinking against its strongest criticisms. Shared understanding, better conversations and elegant frameworks are not enough if structures, power, resources and incentives remain unchanged. Difference and conflict need not be resolved; viability is not legitimacy; learning is not always better when deeper or faster. My methods must remain falsifiable, avoid becoming compliance rituals, and make people more able to act and challenge decisions—not simply more fluent in systemic language. A critique of Taylor’s ‘A more useful fly-bottle – systems | cybernetics | complexity in six diagrams’ – (also Taylor, 2026) | Systems Community of Inquiry
Don’t rebuild Whitehall inside mayoral authorities; turn civil service secondments into a public service talent exchange
I suggest that civil service secondments into mayoral authorities should become a reciprocal Public Service Talent Exchange across Whitehall, councils and strategic authorities. Local government reorganisation risks losing deep operational, democratic and place-based expertise just when it is most needed. Rather than treating Whitehall as the natural source of capability, we should create two-way movement, shared learning and stronger institutional memory. Devolution should build a genuinely shared public service workforce, not recreate Whitehall’s operating model at regional level. https://www.themj.co.uk/one-way-only-won-t-work
A more useful fly-bottle – systems | cybernetics | complexity in six diagrams
I see systems practice as purposeful engagement with context: developing enough shared understanding to act together while continually questioning our framing. I use five public-service worlds, three learning loops, five core practices and four organisational dynamics to explore purpose, relationships, work, feedback and power. These help me translate across different perspectives without pretending there is one complete worldview or method. Ultimately, I want to create conditions for human freedom and agency while keeping my own assumptions open to challenge. A more useful fly-bottle – systems | cybernetics | complexity in six diagrams – chosen path
Alpha version – systemic systems methods practice for systems practice
I’ve created an alpha version of a free systems methods practice pack to help apprentices rehearse technical skills and check their understanding without confusing exercises with real systems practice. It covers all 13 core SCiO approaches, three theory areas and ten supporting methods, with fictional scenarios, worked examples, checks, model repairs and repeat exercises. It also includes worksheets, answers and a resource register. It is not an official SCiO publication and has not yet had independent pedagogical review. https://stream.syscoi.com/2026/09/07/alpha-version-systemic-systems-methods-practice-for-systems-practice-taylor-2026/?page_id=28608
Courses and events
Commissioning and Innovation: playing on a bigger stage
A practical three-day programme for commissioners working in complexity that helps commissioners, transformation leaders, and partners work more effectively across complex systems. It combines practical tools, public service examples, peer learning, facilitated exercises, and direct application to participants’ own challenges. Open for enquiries. https://link.redquadrant.com/CommissioningAndInnovation
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 for our September 2026 cohort: https://link.redquadrant.com/nextacademy25
Leadership for systems change with LGR 2028!
Curious about how to lead transformation in the context of local government reorganisation and devolution? Responding to complexity: leading transformation in local government reorganisation and devolution is a five-month programme with the Open University and RedQuadrant, taking place September 2026-January 2027. We invite participants from organisations preparing for, going through, or having been through reorganisation, and who want to learn with and from others to build capacity for transformation in uncertainty.https://lnkd.in/gpX6ZG8h
smartCompass – our new AI-supported tool for AI for community-powered outcomes
Our new prototype smartCompass is a new, free tool to help commissioners, leaders, partners, and people working in public services see how their system is really working — and where to act next.Answer sixteen questions about a system you care about, and receive a personalised, AI-supported response by email. It helps you see strengths, blockers, patterns, and possible next moves. https://link.redquadrant.com/smartCompass
Compass v2 – comment on our new systems change tool
We’re now inviting comments on this beta new version of a systems change insight tool https://link.redquadrant.com/compassv2beta
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
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
Things I shared on socials:
This is the redacted version of the climate/national security report
HM Government – Global biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse and national security – a national security assesssment https://www.linkedin.com/posts/antlerboy_httpsassetspublishingservicegovuk-activity-7504070478702047232-ULag?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAACuq-oBecVFDW6PCf3lkoG-peMeuLBeoho
Service Request #1: What Happens When I Call 311? – 99% Invisible
Look, people – we know how to do this. Expertise, human, technology, a strong feedback loop – it’s not rocket science, just work, and it works. What the hell are we doing in the UK? https://www.linkedin.com/posts/antlerboy_service-request-1-what-happens-when-i-call-activity-7503920656346963968-mNSe?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAACuq-oBecVFDW6PCf3lkoG-peMeuLBeoho
Stafford Beer Centenary | Conference, Book and Documentary
Using data standards to support people at risk – Data in government
Firoze Salim – 16 March 2026 https://www.linkedin.com/posts/antlerboy_using-datastandards-to-support-people-at-activity-7503801549660532738-5oUP?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAACuq-oBecVFDW6PCf3lkoG-peMeuLBeoho
chosen path 