Weekend Building Blocks - 16 JUN 2017


There's no value in collecting blocks unless you're connecting them to build something awesome!
I filter out crappy articles every week, so you're left with the best of the best. Here are my picks from this past week. Among the list are two (2) podcast episodes:
  1. A Former Navy SEAL On The Hidden Influencers In Every Team. If you're a fan of Team of Teams by General Stanley McChrystal, then this is up your alley. Chris Fussell is out with a new book One Mission: How Leaders Build a Team of Teams. This article is adapted from his book and explains how organizational charts have solid lines...and dotted lines. Dotted lines are how people and groups really relate to one another, as opposed to how they're supposed to by design. Bet on it that I'm ordering this book!! 
  2. OODA Loop: Orientation Asymmetries. This is a slide deck by Chad Cote. Chad does an excellent job explaining many of the intricacies of the Orient phase of Colonel Boyd's famous cycle. How can I not like something that brings up fingerspitzengefuhl? He also brings up double-loop thinking, group orientation (slides 70 & 71), and so much more. Job well done, Chad!
  3. Being a Creative Generalist. James Taylor's The Creative Life Podcast hosted Jorge Barba. Jorge discusses generalism, startup culture in Tijuana, and an awesome story about his teenaged experience working for FedEx. If you're not following Barba's blog...you need to be! Plus, Taylor's podcast is certainly on my radar now! 
  4. War and the Changing Nature of Masculinity. Brett McKay always has interesting guests. Leo Braudy talks about warriorship and its connection to how we perceive manhood. How has nationalism, the chivalrous code, the change in battlefield strategy, and war technology affected how we view who "men" are? 
  5. Systems Thinking, Complexity Thinking, and Anthro-Complexity. James Hall discusses Dave Snowden's idea of anthro-complexity. It shouldn't be a stretch for you to predict what connections I made with this blog...if you know anything about my thoughts on systems that contain human engagement and emotion. While I don't foresee myself adopting the term anthro-complexity anytime soon...you might see me using it from time to time...just to mess with people! 
On my end, I posted a rebuttal to an earlier linked-to piece by friend Patrick Van Horne:
  • Not Standards; Expectations! Van Horne wrote on performance standards. I refuted his use of word standards in this piece. In complex environments (such as human engagement), we should embrace the incalculable nuances and uniqueness of emotional connection.  What are your thoughts on the subject? 
What have you built this week? What connections have you made?
    Lou Hayes, Jr.
    thinking & adapting like a Tactical Philosopher

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