Profound

S5 E7 - Dr. Bill Bellows - Thinking About Thinking and the In2:InThinking Forum 2025

Apr 17, 2025

In this thought-provoking discussion, Dr. Bill Bellows, co-founder of the In2:InThinking Network, shares his insights on systems thinking inspired by W. Edwards Deming. He delves into the significance of the upcoming In2:InThinking Forum, emphasizing the necessity of psychological safety for innovation. Dr. Bellows highlights how systems thinking can revolutionize fields beyond manufacturing, including software and education. He advocates for a culture of humility and collaboration, aiming to empower professionals to rethink traditional approaches and drive meaningful change.

48:56

Episode guests

Bill Bellows

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Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Dr. Bill Bellows emphasizes the importance of creating psychologically safe environments for fostering open communication and innovation in diverse professional fields.

The In2:InThinking Forum 2025 aims to unite professionals across disciplines to explore and apply systems thinking principles beyond traditional manufacturing contexts.

Deep dives

Founding the InThinking Network

The InThinking Network was established in 2000 by Bill and his colleagues as a response to the declining attendance at existing Deming-related conferences. Recognizing the need for a platform that promotes systems thinking, they aimed to create a space for individuals from various backgrounds to gather and share knowledge about the principles of effective management and improvement. This initiative was inspired by a community that had been losing momentum after the passing of Dr. Deming and the announcement of the last Ohio Quality and Productivity Forum. By forming a team of dedicated individuals, they successfully launched their first forum in 2002, which sought to encourage learning and collaboration among attendees regardless of their prior familiarity with Deming's work.

Intro

5min

The Journey of 'In Thinking'

13min

Fostering Psychological Safety and Collaborative Learning in Professional Environments

5min

Community of Passionate Learners in Space Science

3min

Cultivating Humility and Accessibility in Professional Growth

3min

Bridging the Gap: Collaboration and Community in Pragmatism

20min

I have a deeply insightful conversation with Dr. Bill Bellows in this episode of the Profound Podcast. We dive into the heart of what it means to think about thinking—a concept that lies at the core of the In2:InThinking Network, a community Dr. Bellows co-founded to carry forward the transformational work of W. Edwards Deming and other systems pioneers.

At the center of our discussion is the 2025 In2:InThinking Forum, happening this June 20–22 in Santa Clarita, California, and also available virtually for free via live stream. It's a gathering of minds, where humility, curiosity, and collaboration take center stage. If you're in DevOps, digital transformation, or operations—and especially if you're exploring how Deming's ideas apply in modern contexts—this is the event for you.

Dr. Bellows takes us on a journey through the origins and evolution of the In2:InThinking Network, which emerged in the early 2000s as a response to the declining presence of Deming-centered conferences. Recognizing the need for a West Coast community of deep thinkers and doers, Dr. Bellows and his colleagues created a space where engineers, IT professionals, healthcare leaders, and educators could unite in their pursuit of better systems thinking and action.

We explore how systems thinking applies far beyond manufacturing, touching software delivery, digital infrastructure, education, and even AI. Dr. Bellows shares why this kind of egoless, psychologically safe environment is essential for innovation, allowing both newcomers and veterans to engage deeply without pretension.

We also touch on the Red Bead Experiment, Deming’s ideas on variation, and the costs of overlooking systemic thinking in today’s organizations. Dr. Bellows reminds us that better systems start with better conversations—and that starts with communities like In2:InThinking.

You can sign up for the event on In2:InThinking Network’s website: https://www.in2in.org

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Profound

S5 E7 - Dr. Bill Bellows - Thinking About Thinking and the In2:InThinking Forum 2025

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

Founding the InThinking Network

Creating a Collaborative Learning Environment

Integrating Diverse Perspectives

A Flexible and Accessible Forum Format

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts