Gurteen Knowledge Letter: Issue 294 - December 2024

Gurteen Knowledge Letter
Issue 294 – December 2024

In a new emerging chapter on innovation in my blook, I have started to develop a collection of stories exploring how innovation emerges from the dynamic interplay of people, ideas, and environments. These narratives demonstrate how unexpected connections and interactions can lead to groundbreaking innovations.

By examining moments where diverse minds came together in unique ways, they reveal the power of collaboration and interaction, underscoring the importance of creating spaces and opportunities that foster open exchange and transform even ordinary settings into catalysts for advancement.

These stories are intended to stimulate deeper thinking about innovation and inspire us—whether as managers or individuals—to adapt these insights to our own ways of working and our workplaces, discovering opportunities for improvement and creativity.

I have completed two stories so far, which are shared below. I’d appreciate your suggestions if you know of any similar stories.

1. Three Conversation Questions
   The power of thoughtful questions
2. Building 20 at MIT
   Innovation in a makeshift lab
3. Upcoming Online Knowledge Café
   How can we better navigate the complexities of dementia?
4. Chatbots as Critical Thinking Partners
   Talk at the AI Challenges & Adaptations Conference, hosted by the Bibliotheca Alexandrina
5. The Flow of Conversations
   Unlocking creativity through adaptive dialogue
6. Obama Foundation
   Inspiring, empowering, and connecting people to change their world
7. Lessons From Silicon Valley and Route 128
   How open networks and risk-taking shape innovation
8. The Meaning of Face
   Exploring losing face and giving face
9. Help Keep My Work Alive
10. Unsubscribe
11. Gurteen Knowledge Letter

Conversations shape how we connect, collaborate, and solve problems. Groups often struggle to focus on the correct issues, approach discussions constructively, or build a sense of community. Asking thoughtful questions can guide meaningful dialogue, ensuring conversations address vital needs, encourage participation, and strengthen relationships.

I describe these three questions in this new post in my blook on Three Questions for Meaningful Conversations, inspired by John Hovell.

During World War II, the U.S. urgently needed breakthroughs in radar technology. With limited space at MIT, the quickly assembled Building 20 became the center of wartime research. Its adaptable design and interdisciplinary setup encouraged groundbreaking collaboration, showing how innovation emerges when diverse minds and ideas come together.

I love this story because it highlights the power of creativity and adaptability under pressure, proving that great ideas can flourish in the most unexpected places.

Here is the story.

Due to a health issue, I’ve taken a break from running online and face-to-face Knowledge Cafés in recent months. However, I’m hopeful I can resume them in the new year.

In the meantime, my good friend and colleague John Hovell continues to host regular online Cafés. The next session, How Can We Better Navigate the Complexities of Dementia?, will take place on Wednesday, December 11, at 4:30 PM GMT. Mairéad Mc Keown will share her experience and insights into the complex journey that emerged as her mother’s life was affected by Dementia.

Health permitting, I plan to attend this session myself. For more details or to register, visit here.

I will be giving a talk titled Chatbots as Critical Thinking Partners at the AI Challenges & Adaptations Conference, hosted by the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, on Tuesday, December 3rd. While I would love to attend in person, my presentation will be delivered via a pre-recorded video.

To clarify, I’m not a Dr.—just plain old Mr.

The talk is based on a chapter from my online book, Conversational Leadership, which shares the same title. You can explore it here.

I'll post the video to this site after the conference.

Dave Snowden’s vector theory of change has influenced how I think about conversations and their role in navigating change. Rather than aiming for rigid outcomes, a conversation is about creating the right conditions and allowing conversations to flow naturally—unlocking creativity, insight, and the potential for meaningful change. I like to think of it as the vector of great conversations.

I’ve long believed that democracy should be about more than voting every few years—it’s about how we engage with and improve our communities every day.

The Obama Foundation embodies this broader vision, empowering individuals to drive meaningful change in every aspect of their lives. Here is its mission:

Our mission at the Obama Foundation is to inspire, empower, and connect people to change their world.

We seek to build an active democratic culture where people are equipped and motivated to make change, not just at the polls or in the halls of power, but in their communities, in the places where they live, work, and play.

Join the Democracy Forum livestream on Thursday, December 5.

Silicon Valley and Route 128 were prominent centers of technological innovation, but their differing ecosystems produced contrasting results, with Route 128 falling behind. In the late 1970s, I worked for Prime Computer, one of Route 128's notable minicomputer companies, alongside industry leaders like DEC, Wang, and Data General.

Prime was founded by Bill Poduska in 1972 but ended in 1991 when Computervision acquired it. The main reason for Prime's failure was its inability to adapt to the rapid technological shift from minicomputers to personal computers and networked systems, which fundamentally transformed the computing market in the late 1980s.

I left Prime in 1983 and joined Lotus Development, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the creator of the spreadsheet software Lotus 1-2-3 for microcomputers. This story holds personal significance for me, as I was part of Prime during its heyday, witnessing firsthand its contributions and its eventual decline in the face of technological change.

Here is the story.

Many of us are familiar with the idea of “saving face,” the effort to protect our own reputation and avoid embarrassment. However, the concept of “giving face”—recognizing and respecting someone else’s honor and standing—is equally important, especially in cultures where face is deeply ingrained. Understanding both aspects can foster stronger relationships and deeper mutual respect. See this post in my blook to learn more about this fascinating concept.

Help Keep My Work Alive
For almost 25 years, I’ve been sharing the Gurteen Knowledge Letter each month, and many of you have been reading it for five years or more. My Knowledge Café also reached a milestone, celebrating its 20th anniversary in September 2022.

If my work has made a difference to you, I’d be grateful if you could consider supporting it. A small monthly donation or any one-off contribution would greatly help cover some of my website hosting costs.

Thank you to the 50+ patrons who already support me – your generosity means a lot.

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Gurteen Knowledge Letter

The Gurteen Knowledge Letter is a free monthly email newsletter designed to inspire thinking around Conversational Leadership and Knowledge Management. You can explore the archive of past issues here.

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David Gurteen
Gurteen Knowledge
Fleet, United Kingdom