Serendipitously exploring history to inform the future

Sean Manion

Aug 04, 2025

Guest Post by Harish Jose and Venky + Exclusive Podcast

Laksh Raghavan
August 03, 2025

I’m super excited to announce the details of an upcoming book co-authored by Harish Jose and Venkatesh Krishnamurthy!

The book is titled “Connecting the Dots… Reflections on The Toyota Production System” and is scheduled to be published next month (more details as we get closer) and can be downloaded for free by all the community-tier members of Cyb3rSyn. Hard copies will also be available.

[Apologies for cross-posting, just trying to get the word out! This programme is fully levy-funded in England until the end of the year, and – if I say so myself – will be great! – please pass to anyone who might be interested!]

Level 7 Apprenticeship: Commissioning and leading for outcomes in complexity – convening systems change – Free webinar on 20 August. Join our free webinar to discover how 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  Free webinar 20 August, 12:30–1:30pm Sign up here: https://link.redquadrant.com/apprenticeshipinfo  Even if you are unable to attend, if you sign up you will receive slides, video, transcript and other materials from the session Contact us directly on info@publicservicetransformation.org to register your interest in the programme and ask for an informal one-to-one chat. What’s the apprenticeship about? A tailored version of the Level 7 Systems Thinking Practitioner Apprenticeship, designed specifically for senior commissioners, system leaders, and transformation leads across health, care, local government, and public services. Structured around powerful real-world tools: the commissioning compass: system assessment for change crisis to capability – seven approaches to ‘demand management’  seven ways to intervene, and the five worlds of commissioning …all underpinned by deep systems practice, action learning, and applied change in your own context. Delivered in partnership with Cherith Simmons and SCiO, this two-year programme is fully levy-fundable (up to £18,000 – until the end of the year only!), and built around learning through doing. Your work-based project and portfolio are shaped directly by the challenges you face and the outcomes you’re trying to deliver – not abstract theory, but real applied learning. What you’ll get: Live virtual workshops, peer learning, coaching, and professional discussion Systems thinking training from leaders in the field, including PSTA, SCiO, and RedQuadrant facilitators Advanced Practitioner status with SCiO Optional fast-track MBA (additional fee) Time commitment? Around half a day a week of formal study for two years – all focused on the real work you’re already doing, with support to deepen impact and accelerate change. Ideal for: commissioning leads, directors, transformation managers, and those looking to take a system convening role across complex partnerships. Places are limited – TIME IS SHORT!  Register interest now to join the Autumn 2025 cohort. Contact us to register your interest: info@publicservicetransformation.org Check out our other offers at the PSTA Our next cohort of outcomes-based commissioning: a ten step introduction will launch in September 2025 – find out more here: https://link.redquadrant.com/10step0925 Join the waiting list for the next national Commissioning Academy https://link.redquadrant.com/nextacademy25 Check out our new free tool for commissioners: the Commissioning Compass: system assessment for change: https://link.redquadrant.com/commissioningcompass  To see all of our offers, including Contract Management, Leading Transformation, and others, follow this link: https://link.redquadrant.com/m/PSTAOffers

𝗦𝗗𝟭 – 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺 𝗗𝘆𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗰𝘀
𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗡 𝗦𝗬𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗠 𝗗𝗬𝗡𝗔𝗠𝗜𝗖𝗦 (𝗦𝗗) – 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝟭𝟬% 𝗢𝗳𝗳 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱

Master Complexity & Drive Change with System Dynamics

Are you tasked with understanding and influencing change in complex situations? For leaders and professionals who need to look beyond the surface, System Dynamics (SD) offers a robust methodology for modelling and simulating real-world challenges.

Our “𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺 𝗗𝘆𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗰𝘀 (𝗦𝗗𝟭)” course empowers you to resolve complex situations with clarity and confidence. System Dynamics isn’t just theory; it’s a practical method for creating an effective visualisation of your organisation or challenge. With it, you can:
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• Test strategies and policies before you implement them.

𝗦𝗗𝟭 – 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺 𝗗𝘆𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗰𝘀

This self-paced online course is your gateway into the world of System Dynamics. You will gain the skills to:

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July 20, 2025

Fred

In an era of institutional ambiguity and systemic disruption, strategy is shifting from certainty to attunement – Meka (2025) (Medium)

Neil Meka

5 min read

Jul 13, 2025

Exploring the basics of systems science and thinking

By Lynn Rasmussen

Systems researcher, author, “Seeing: A Field Guide to the 

https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/seeing-systems-7354649833254653952/

First episode: What Is a System in Systems Science?

https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/seeing-systems-7354649833254653952/

Liam Mahon MSc 

July 22, 2025

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/reflective-review-navigating-complexity-do-systems-exist-mahon-msc-k1pse/

𝗦𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲
📆𝟮𝟰𝘁𝗵 – 𝟮𝟲𝘁𝗵 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗛𝘂𝗹𝗹, 𝗨𝗞

For the first time ever, leading institutions representing a broad range of systems thinking methods and approaches are coming together for a landmark conference on Systems Thinking and Systems Practice.

Hosted by the 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗲𝘀, 𝗦𝗖𝗶𝗢, and the 𝗢𝗥 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘁𝘆, with input from a broad conference committee including members of the UK government’s Systems Thinking Interest Group (STIG), and the IFSR, this event promises to be a unique opportunity to connect across communities, share diverse perspectives, and explore both the foundations and future frontiers of systems practice.

You can expect:

• Engaging conversations across methodologies and approaches
• New insights on emerging trends and global challenges
• Opportunities for learning, sharing, and professional networking
• A vibrant mix of practitioners, academics, and systems leaders

Whether you’re systems curious, deeply embedded in systems practice or just beginning your journey, this is a moment to come together, learn from each other, and help shape the future of the field.

𝗙𝗲𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱? Full Programme and registration details are coming soon …

✍️𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘄 – we can’t wait to see you there!

#SystemsThinking #SystemsPractice #UniversityofHull #SCiO #ORSociety #IFSR

Phoebe Tickell’s facebook post begins: “Joanna Macy died peacefully in her sleep at 3:56pm PST on the 19th July, at home, surrounded by family and friends.”

[I do not know Macy’s work terribly well – and the best place to go for references and remembrances is probably Phoebe’s post. From Facebook posts, I understand that Phoebe – a great and appropriate student of Joanna’s – was helping to care for her and live for her in her final weeks. I’ve attempted with some LLM help to assemble some links and connections which people might find interesting].

Joanna Macy (1929–2025) was a pioneering scholar and activist who integrated Buddhism, systems thinking, and deep ecology to address ecological and social crises. Her work is deeply connected to systems theory, cybernetics, and complexity science.

Core contributions:

• Mutual causality: Macy explored the Buddhist concept of dependent co-arising (paticca samuppada) alongside general systems theory, highlighting the interdependent nature of systems. She emphasised that systems are dynamic patterns of interaction, not isolated entities.
• The Work That Reconnects: This framework helps individuals transform despair into action by recognising their interconnectedness with all life. It incorporates systems thinking to foster ecological awareness and collective responsibility.
• Despair and empowerment: Macy acknowledged that feelings of despair about global issues are natural and can be a source of energy for change when understood within the context of interconnected systems.

Connections to systems, cybernetics, and complexity:

Macy applied principles from general systems theory, such as feedback loops and self-organization, to understand ecological and social systems. She viewed the world as composed of nested systems, each influencing and being influenced by others. Influenced by thinkers like Gregory Bateson and Ervin László, Macy incorporated cybernetic concepts, particularly feedback mechanisms, into her understanding of ecological and social dynamics. Macy’s work aligns with complexity science through its focus on emergent properties, nonlinearity, and the interconnectedness of systems. She emphasised that small changes can have significant impacts within complex systems.

Macy’s integration of these disciplines offers a holistic approach to understanding and addressing the challenges of our time, emphasising the importance of interconnectedness, feedback, and systemic thinking in fostering a sustainable and compassionate world.

Part of the reason I’m sharing this is just to recognise that each time a major influential thinkers like Macy leave us, this marks a significant transition point in the systems | cybernetics | complexity world. In this case, the tradition clearly continues and lives and thrives – in many other people but very significantly in Tickell’s work. She was trained and mentioned by Macy and describes her transition from a biology researcher at Imperial to applying Macy’s approach in activism: “experiencing grief due to the destruction of our planet is… a consequence of being part of a system where something is deeply wrong,” echoing Macy’s notion of despair as essential feedback in living systems. Tickell credits Macy for inspiring her framing of “The Great Unravelling”—a term borrowed from Macy—that highlights society’s fracturing stories and the need for new narratives, and also traces the modern use of “Moral Imagination”, as a practice-oriented concept, rooted in collective imagination for systemic change, to Macy’s teachings.

Links – in no particular order – on Macy’s work and the impact she had on folks

• YouTube – The Work That Reconnects with Joanna Macy
• (of which) YouTube Part 11: The Systems View of Life – The Work That Reconnects with Joanna Macy
• Joanna Macy’s website
• The Work That Reconnects website – Foundational Teachings
• Positive Disintegration: On Buddhism, systems theory, and inspiration for social action- An interview with Joanna Macy by David Schneider Spring 1993
• Rebecca Hymna’s substack post paying tribute when Joanna entered hospice
• The Commons Social Change Library – Learn From Joanna Macy
• Daniel Christian Wahl on The Work That Reconnects
• The Entangled World podcast – Collective Imaginings | Phoebe Tickell
• Christoper Chase on ‘How Life Self-organises’
• Accidental God pocast Episode #31  What humanity wants:  Moral Imagination and new kind of change with Phoebe Tickell
• The Work That Reconnects: The Work I’m Meant to Do Posted on September 7, 2009 by Dave Pollard
• Patterns – ABCD Systems Thinking and Chaos Theory Network Newsletter (August/September 2003, pdf, photocopied or Roneostated or something! An interesting historical artefact which happens to mention Macy)
• “What Are Governments For If Not To Preserve Human Life?” Scientist and social entrepreneur Phoebe Tickell is part of a new wave of climate activists applying a natural systems perspective to social change work. GATHERING 2021
• New Deep Narratives: we need new stories of what it means to be human: It’s time to accept that an increasingly complex world, we need to adapt to more nuanced stories and resist the urge to hone in on the one that is the most black-or-white. Phoebe Tickell
• Phoebe Tickell’s website
• Last but not least:
  Joanna Macy on the Great Awakening the Planet Needs – Buddhist thinker and environmental activist Joanna Macy on the global awakening the planet needs. At heart, it’s a spiritual revolution. Melvin McLeod  •  Joanna Macy 30 November 2024
  

[Huh, haven’t heard from Jeff Sussna in ages – used to love his stuff – hope you’re doing well Jeff, if you read this!]

Episode 15 • August 4, 2019

Jeff Sussna on Cybernetics

“My business is predicated on the idea that it’s possible to move fast without breaking things.”

https://theinformed.life/2019/08/04/episode-15-jeff-sussna/

The challenge of practicing systemic design (or any work that aims to shift deeper roots and structures) is a systemic issue in itself.