Transduction — leading transformation — Issue #177
My weekly posts
Reorganising the deckchairs
There’s a huge NHS and local government reorganisation underway — complex, exhausting, and often counterproductive, like rearranging deckchairs on a melting ice floe. I understand how overwhelming it feels just trying to do your job and improve things locally amid shifting structures. We’ve developed tools like our complexity map to support sensemaking and practical delivery — but for now, let’s give colleagues breathing space and keep sight of what really matters: making a difference in people’s lives. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/antlerboy_hsj-icbmergers-integratedcare-activity-7325429570424233984-C26Y
What if the best way to change your system isn’t to wrestle it into shape… but to see it more clearly?
What if the key to changing your system isn’t forcing it into shape, but seeing it more clearly? That’s what the National Commissioning Academy offers — a practical, challenging, and collaborative space to apply real tools to real issues. It’s not just training; it’s a shift in mindset, leadership, and action. If you’re ready to connect ideas to outcomes and drive meaningful change in complex systems, join us this June. What would you change in your system — and what’s stopping you? https://www.linkedin.com/posts/antlerboy_june-2025-national-commissioning-academy-activity-7322893924610600960-kqV-
Courses and events
Last chance — launching 16 May. Introduction to outcomes-based commissioning: a 10 step introduction, cohort 9
Back by popular demand — our introductory course for commissioning. Running online with anticipated dates in May https://link.redquadrant.com/introtooutcomes9
New dates announced — Next National Commissioning Academy launching June 2025
Out next national commissioning academy will launch in June 2025 with in person days hosted by Browne Jacobson in Birmingham and London. Read more here: https://link.redquadrant.com/2025NCA
Our sensemaking community, sharing learning on devolution and local government organisation
Join our sensemaking community for the days after — a space for public service leaders to share urgent learning on devolution and local government reorganisation. We meet twice a month to make sense of today’s complexities or follow along by email. Join the group at https://sensemaking.groups.io
Towards Relational Public Services Conference 2025
3rd to 5th June 2025 Manchester Metropolitan University. This conference seeks to continue to explore the challenges of making Relational Public Services a reality for service users, professionals and academics alike: in an increasingly complex world, how can public services and social interventions create and sustain positive lives for the people and populations they serve? Find out more here: https://www.complexityoutcomes.org/
Complexity & Management Conference 6–8th June 2025
The conference begins on Friday 6th June 2025 and finishes at lunchtime on Sunday 8th. The currency of the conference is conversation and exploration in large groups and small. Read more here: https://complexityandmanagement.com/2024/11/04/complexity-management-conference-6-8th-june-2025/
Level 7 Systems Thinking Practitioner Apprenticeship
Work in England or Wales? Want to develop your systems thinking skills? Sign up now for the next cohort of the Level 7 Systems Thinking Practitioner Apprenticeship — Cherith Simmons, with experts from SCiO (including me) — likely start in January 2025! Register here: https://cherithsimmons.co.uk/corporate/level-7-systems-thinking-practitioner-apprenticeship/?utm_content=buffer2fd3b&utm_medium=social&utm_source=linkedin.com&utm_campaign=buffer
Things I shared on socials:
PSTA events with South East Regional Care Cooperative. Fiona Fleming.
It was great to facilitate another super event on behalf of the South East RCC. Many thanks to Peter Ware for his, as always, very engaging talk. We are looking forward to our next two events in May and June. Sharing the big challenges and increasing our creativity in the solutions. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/ugcPost-7323658838887329792-6sOU?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAACuq-oBecVFDW6PCf3lkoG-peMeuLBeoho
Systems Thinking — Creating the conditions for change: a participatory cybernetic framework –
Free, in person Hull UK or online, 26 September 2025 12:30pm UK time. https://stream.syscoi.com/2025/05/09/systems-thinking-creating-the-conditions-for-change-a-participatory-cybernetic-framework-free-in-person-hull-uk-or-online-26-september-2025-1230pm-uk-time/
VOIPfone
If you want to switch an old BT phone line to keep it (forwarded to mobile etc, without any fixed line) after the 2027 shutoff date — or if you are moving houre — try voipfone.co.uk (not sponsored) — I just set it up fairly easily, fingers crossed. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/antlerboy_voip-phone-services-for-business-home-and-activity-7326003527464488960-r06z?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAACuq-oBecVFDW6PCf3lkoG-peMeuLBeoho
Launch of the new SOAS-ACE How To guide: Navigating the political economy of corruption
Thursday 15 May 1pm UK time (online). Navigating the Political Economy of Corruption: Observing and understanding actors’ behaviours, to inform effective policy. https://stream.syscoi.com/2025/05/09/launch-of-the-new-soas-ace-how-to-guide-navigating-the-political-economy-of-corruption-thursday-15-may-1pm-uk-time-online/
People Power Change with Professor Marshall Ganz (discussion & book launch). The King’s Fund. 12 May.
Marshall Ganz is an absolute giant in the field of community organising and social movement building. His work has great resonance with hashtag#DoWith both as a grassroots movement for change but also the underlying principle that public services should work with the assets and energy that exists in communities beyond the doors of the public sector institution. If that’s got you interested do sign up to hear him speak at The King’s Fund on 12th May. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/adam-lent-5b461a196_people-power-change-with-professor-marshall-activity-7325854599389605888-tDFR/
The Transformative Innovation Policy Consortium
Welcome to the transformative innovation policy consortium (TIPC) — where systems thinking unlocks innovation for a sustainable future. https://stream.syscoi.com/2025/05/09/the-transformative-innovation-policy-consortium/
