Resolving Uncertainty

uncertaintyThis is the most interesting idea of 2018 for me so far.  “Resolving uncertainty is a unifying principle across biology and is the inherent task of evolution, development and learning”.  There is something for me both inspiring and comforting in ‘unifying principle’ and ‘inherent task’, and knowing this affirms my sense that when we give time to creating the ideal conditions for understanding and trust we are optimising our own biology so we can make real progress with the  inherent task.  I’ve just discovered neuroscientist Beau Lotto (fab name!) and this is in his book ‘Deviate: The Science of Seeing Differently’; for a glimpse try this clip from him on doubt and conflict: http://bit.ly/2DVbG3N

The case study provided to us by Inspector Stan Gilmour of Thames Valley Police makes a compelling argument for Beau Lotto’s suggestion – as well as for the Thinking Environment way of encouraging learning and evolution.  Over 12 months his command of 80 senior staff at Reading has been integrating all the TE principles and practises in their meetings and staff development in order to answer to their brief of ‘Policing by Consent’.  Two key objectives were increasing autonomy and decision making from top down, and increasing engagement with the public.  Both were met with measurable success and to great effect: this video demonstrates that clearly: http://bit.ly/2EyfiGf

Speaking of books – thank you for yours, and I’m still collecting titles!  I will be reading or listening to ‘The Power of Story by Jim Loehr, ‘Silence in the Age of Noise’ by Erlinge Kagge and ‘A manual for Heartache’ by Cathy Rentzenbrink later this year, and if you haven’t told me I still want to know what one title would you recommend from your 2017 reading?

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