Cloud Realities CR087: Does 'purpose' matter with Dave Snowden
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Jan 23, 2025 
Dave Snowden, Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of The Cynefin Centre, dives deep into the multifaceted concept of organizational purpose. He questions whether purpose statements are often mere platitudes and suggests focusing on real stories and actions instead. The discussion also touches on the Japanese philosophy of Ikigai, highlighting how personal fulfillment arises from aligning passions and societal needs. Listeners gain insights into innovative organizational change, emphasizing trust, narrative-driven leadership, and the significance of local engagement.
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AI Risks Dumbing Down People
- AI risks dumbing down human cognition through overdependence rather than surpassing human intelligence.
- Maintain human decision-making capability for competitive advantage and avoid hyper-reliance on inductive AI.
Use Cartoons To Reveal Culture
- Use non-textual triggers like cartoons and semiotics to surface real cultural narratives and anomalies.
- Those triggers force thinking and reveal micro-narratives executives can't manufacture via surveys.
Purpose Statements Become Platitudes
- Purpose statements often become platitudes that executives and consultants game for political advantage.
- In complex systems, you should map the present and directions of travel rather than define a fixed future state.
