In the rapidly evolving landscape of the 21st century, we find ourselves at a crossroads, facing unprecedented challenges that demand innovative solutions. As we delve into the concept of WWXD (presumably "What Would X Do?"), we're confronted with a fundamental question: Are we selecting our next practices based on mere intuition, or is there a deeper, underlying structure guiding our choices?

This inquiry leads us to reflect on the core skills needed to tackle modern challenges effectively. How can we become more future-ready? What does it take to create genuine, lasting impact in today's world?

A new Organizational Design for the future We will need to examine our wealth of information gathered over 25 years, including notes, 150 interviews, presentations, learnings, and project outcomes. The task ahead is not merely about casual contemplation; it requires a rigorous, systematic approach to distill this vast knowledge into a coherent framework.

Our approach to change operates on three levels: Mindset, Skillset, and Toolset. But a new framework might about positive impact or realizing more innovations probably needs another axis, the different aspects of organizational design?!?!?

Seeing the overarching structure of a system

In systems thinking, we view the world in layers, recognizing that a problem experienced at one level often originates at another. For instance, declining revenue might be traced back to poor design, which in turn could stem from excessive internal focus and failure to anticipate changes, possibly rooted in a rigid, fear-based culture.

Grounded theory approach. Thanks Thieu!! The next step in our journey involves mapping our tools to the appropriate columns or layers of our framework. However, the process might unfold in reverse – clustering all our tools through affinity mapping to reveal the suitable grid. This approach aligns with the concept of Grounded Research, as discussed with Thieu Besselink. Grounded theory is a systematic qualitative research method that collects empirical data first and then creates a theory 'grounded' in the results. It's particularly valuable in social sciences to avoid the pitfall of starting with a theoretical model and merely seeking confirmation of preconceived notions.

By grounding our strategies in empirical evidence and systemic understanding, a seasoned framework to navigate the challenges of the 21st century will emerge (I hope). To be continued... I might be under water for a while!!