Thinking out loud…
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On being a curious generalist
How do we move forward into an uncertain world? A curious generalist recognises that whatever their interests and various areas of expertise, they are moving forward into an unknown world.… Read more
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On Thursdays
Thursdays were always my favourite. Not by default, as a consolation prize after all the other days of the week were ruled out, but because they always seemed to generate… Read more
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On putting your team together
I remember being lined up in the playground at primary school with the team captains at the front of the group, taking it in turns to pick people for the… Read more
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On a systems-informed strategy
How does a organisation that is explicitly founded to change the humanitarian system stay true to its ambitions while at the same time relying on that very same system for… Read more
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On seeing the system from a different perspective
Standing on a dusty road in Kajo Keji, looking at the notice proclaiming the next community meeting would take place under the Big Mango Tree, feeling my bodies sweat response… Read more
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On the challenge of investing in impact at scale
In previous articles I’ve explored how we can maximise impact by aligning our efforts across three scales – that of the organisation, our programmes and the wider system. Now I… Read more
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On measuring impact – the third scale
In my last article I suggested that we need to look at impact across three levels or scales, and that this task becomes progressively more challenging the less direct control… Read more
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On three scales to measure impact
There are three scales at which we need to evaluate performance, gain insights and track the overall impact of our work, especially for any organisation that is seeking to create… Read more
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On the unexpected benefits of taking small actions
It’s dark, cold and the summer seems far from a January perspective. It’s much easier to draw the curtains, pour a glass, open a book and relax at home at… Read more
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On the opportunities of ‘Explore and Experiment’
In my last post I explored an alternative to the standard approach to problem-solving, the linear and reductionist approach I termed ‘Decide and Deliver’. It involves following a process that… Read more
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On the shortcomings of ‘Decide and deliver’
When it comes to making things happen the model I was implicitly taught in local government required a committee report for decisions above a certain scale; even those that didn’t… Read more
Categories:
- Autobiographical + Spiritual (20)
- Behaviour + Incentives (2)
- Collaboration + Teams (26)
- Community + Place (54)
- Governance + Decisions (36)
- Innovation + Change (62)
- Outcomes + Evaluation (32)
- Productivity + Performance (27)
- Strategy + Foresight (45)
- Systems + Complexity (53)
Ian Burbidge 