"Why is it so easy to be complex and so very hard to be simple?"
Thinking Simple is a website devoted to simplifying some of life's more complex challenges:
- Changing the culture of an organisation
- Getting the most from a team of people
- Bringing up children
If there is a common theme, it is the transformational power of attention in complex human systems.
Thinking
Simple
"Sometimes, people ignore the infinite complexity of human nature.
Sometimes, they get lost in it.
The key is to find that which is common in a way that embraces that which isn't."
My name is Alastair Ham. I live and work in the university town of Cambridge, UK.
With this website I'd like to share something of what I've learnt about complex human systems over the last 50 years or so.
The material covers everything from the micro relationship of a parent to a child, to the macro challenge of changing the culture and performance of a global organisation.
I hope that my thinking will be of use to some, while inspiring others to go beyond what I have managed to achieve so far.
Thinking Simple is currently split into three sections:
- Organisational Attention - read this if you are a senior leader, or involved in organisational change
- Leading People 6 - read this is you manage a team
- The Principles of Respectful Parenting - read this if you would like a different perspective on bringing up children
Articles will be added to each section as I have time to write them.
If you are new to this website and looking for 'the answer' quickly then choose a topic that interests you from the side menui and follow where it takes you.
If you are a returning visitor then I will post new articles here on the home page as well as in their appropriate sections.
Organisational Attention
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What Is Organisational Attention?
And who is it for?
Organisational Attention is a powerful new way of understanding organisations and how to change them.
It combines a systemic approach to organisational behaviour with an understanding of individual psychology.
Primarily aimed at senior leaders and change agents, it will also be of interest to anyone keen to learn more about how organisations work.
Leading People 6
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What Are The 6 Things That Matter Most?
And which one should I tackle first?
Whether you are the CEO of a global organisation, or a newly appointed team manager, you can dramatically improve the engagement and performance of your team.
Whether you are in America, Asia, Africa, Europe or Outer Mongolia, the same 6 things apply.
The Principles of Respectful Parenting
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What Is Respectful Parenting?
And is it for me?
At the heart of much broken parenting is the very concept of 'children'.
The word seems to give parents permission to behave in almost unthinkable ways.
Replace it with the word 'people' and you are already on the road to respectful parenting.
Organisational Attention
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When Is It Right To Focus On Attention?
And when is it not?
Understanding your organisation's unique focus of attention is always going to be helpful.
But, not every change requires a shift of attention.
Learn to spot when shifting attention is a vital first step to the change you need to make.
The Principles of Respectful Parenting
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Heightened Awareness
The first step to removing interventions
Maintaining control without having to constantly intervene is fundamental to respectful parenting.
It is much easier said than done. The first step is to create a heightened awareness of your existing style, where you want to get to and the alternative approaches available to you.
Leading People 6
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What Does Good Look Like?
And how should you be judged?
When it comes to leading a team, most of us can muddle through.
Often, little is expected of us.
But, wouldn't it be great to be good?
Organisational Attention
Not available yet
How To Observe Attention At Work
It's not as obvious as you might think
Regardless of whether you want to make changes, there is real value in observing your organisation's focus of attention.
Like so many things in life, it becomes easier if you have a way of looking and a language to use when thinking and talking about it.
The Principles of Respectful Parenting
3 Mistakes Parents Make
Learn to avoid them at all costs
As parents, our instincts and emotions can lead us into all sorts of trouble. Trouble, that once started, can plague us for years to come.
Read more
This article provides a brief overview of 3 mistakes parents commonly make with some guidance on how to avoid them.
Leading People 6
Not available yet
How Do I Know Where To Focus?
Your team will tell you...
The first thing you learn when developing your team leadership skills is that it's not really about you.
In seeking where to focus first, allow your team to tell you where they need you to change the most in order for them to flourish.
Feedback
As you can see, this site is still just a tiny baby!
ALL
feedback will help it grow.
Please email me at:
alastair@thinkingsimple.co.uk
Thank you very much in advance.
