On the folly of designing complex systems in one go, from the top down. Show notes: Traction Heroes ep. 6: Chesterton's FenceTraction Heroes ep. 2: UnprecedentedThe Design SquiggleSystemantics by John GallA New Kind of Science by Stephen WolframWardley map

It's important to plan ahead when working on large, complex projects. Alas, some people's bias for action keeps them from undertaking what they perceive as wasteful exercise. In this episode, Harry shares an exercise that can help. Show notes: Planning for Everything by Peter MorvilleHow Big Things Get Done by Bent Flyvbjerg and Dan GardnerOn Grand Strategy by John Lewis GaddisHofstadter's lawPerforming a Project Premortem by Gary Klein

What keeps you from doing the things you know you need to do, when you need to do them? The answers go deeper than you think. Show notes: Meditations for Mortals by Oliver BurkemanInnovation Games by Luke HohmannNonviolent Communication Marshall Rosenberg

A discussion about the deep underlying causes of the turbulence we're experiencing, and how to think about our agency in the situation. Show notes: Thinking in Systems: A Primer by Donella MeadowsHarry’s TEDx San Antonio presentationCynefin frameworkMistakes Were Made (but Not By Me) by Carol Tavris, Elliot AronsonRich DivineyJocko WillinkLeif BabinExtreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin

How do you act effectively in times of uncertainty? One way is by asking yourself better questions. In this conversation, Harry shares a framework to do just that. Show notes: - Masters of Uncertainty by Rich Diviney - 8 1/2 - Cascading Choices Framework by Roger Martin

Implementing changes – especially irreversible and potentially catastrophic changes – requires humility and understanding. In this conversation, we discuss Chesterton's fence and the art of mindful change-making. Show notes: The Thing by GK ChestertonChesterton’s fenceSeeing Like a State by James C. ScottSystemantics by John GallGall’s lawChristopher AlexanderDrift Into Failure by Sidney Dekker

Acting skillfully entails choosing the right thing to do at any given moment. But these actions must also serve higher-level goals. In this conversation, we explore the relationship between both levels of priorities. Show notes: On Grand Strategy by John Lewis GaddisThe New How by Nilofer MerchantPlaying to Win by A.G. Lafley and Roger MartinFour Thousand Weeks by Oliver BurkemanInnovation Games by Luke Hohmann

Mental models are key to thinking and acting skillfully. But the phrase "mental models" itself has several meanings. In this conversation, we explore models of mental models – and land on one with practical implications for your life. The Power of Impossible Thinking by Yoram (Jerry) Wind, Colin Crook and Robert GuntherIndi YoungThe Informed Life ep. 82: Indi Young on Time to ListenMental Models by Indi YoungFarnam StreetThe Great Mental Models Series by Shane ParrishMistakes Were Made (but N...

Relying solely on data for decisions is limiting; integrating intuition and diverse insights enhances judgment and outcomes. Show notes: LibbyAlchemy The Dark Art and Curious Science of Creating Magic in Brands, Business, and Life by Rory SutherlandThe Fountainhead by Ayn RandNexus: A Brief History of Information Networks from the Stone Age to AI by Yuval Noah HarariHow to Measure Anything by Douglas HubbardDrift into Failure From Hunting Broken Components to Understanding Complex Systems by ...

Harry shares an extreme personal experience in service to exploring the question: How can we act skillfully in unfamiliar circumstances? Show notes:An introduction to Ambient Music by Jon DaleSpinning Away by John Cale & Brian EnoThe Age of Surveillance Capitalism by Shoshana ZuboffSteve Jobs introduces the iPhone (YouTube)Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind by Shunryu SuzukiDunning–Kruger effectRobert Montoye - LinkedInExtreme Ownership by Jocko Willink and Leif BabinExtreme Ownership Academy...

Exploring the balance between self-deception and reality in goal setting and navigating chaos in professional settings.Show Notes:MIT Professional EducationCreativity, Inc. (The Expanded Edition) by Ed Catmull and Amy WallaceAlvin TofflerHigh Output Management by Andrew S. GroveJohn Cutler (LinkedIn)The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams