Jon Smart
@jon.bvssh.com
Better Value Sooner Safer Happier #BVSSH
Lead Author of ‘Sooner Safer Happier’, winner of Business Book award in Leadership category.
soonersaferhappier.com
Lead Author of ‘Sooner Safer Happier’, winner of Business Book award in Leadership category.
soonersaferhappier.com
Pinned
The future is unknowable.
The only way to turn the unknowable into knowable is to learn by doing.
With a clear goal (Think Big), we need safe to learn experiments (Start Small), minimizing time learning so that we have the cheapest cost of learning and can pivot sooner (Learn Fast).
The only way to turn the unknowable into knowable is to learn by doing.
With a clear goal (Think Big), we need safe to learn experiments (Start Small), minimizing time learning so that we have the cheapest cost of learning and can pivot sooner (Learn Fast).
November 12, 2025 at 9:50 AM
The future is unknowable.
The only way to turn the unknowable into knowable is to learn by doing.
With a clear goal (Think Big), we need safe to learn experiments (Start Small), minimizing time learning so that we have the cheapest cost of learning and can pivot sooner (Learn Fast).
The only way to turn the unknowable into knowable is to learn by doing.
With a clear goal (Think Big), we need safe to learn experiments (Start Small), minimizing time learning so that we have the cheapest cost of learning and can pivot sooner (Learn Fast).
The Certified Really AI Practitioner certification is now up for grabs on Youtube!
Watch here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=11s7...
#BVSSH
Watch here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=11s7...
#BVSSH
November 11, 2025 at 9:51 AM
The Certified Really AI Practitioner certification is now up for grabs on Youtube!
Watch here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=11s7...
#BVSSH
Watch here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=11s7...
#BVSSH
Antipattern: Learning bubbles. Information, knowledge and learning trapped in silos (or worse, intentionally withheld with a view that 'knowledge is power')
Pattern: Intentionally pop the learning bubbles
Pattern: Intentionally pop the learning bubbles
November 10, 2025 at 10:16 AM
Antipattern: Learning bubbles. Information, knowledge and learning trapped in silos (or worse, intentionally withheld with a view that 'knowledge is power')
Pattern: Intentionally pop the learning bubbles
Pattern: Intentionally pop the learning bubbles
𝗦𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗶𝘀𝗲
Nested and networked.
Fractal and fluid.
Emergent patterns change.
Inside looking around,
over outside looking in.
Acting in the space
changes the space.
You are the system.
The whole > sum(parts).
Coherence through coordination.
Circular, not linear.
Balanced outcomes for all.
Nested and networked.
Fractal and fluid.
Emergent patterns change.
Inside looking around,
over outside looking in.
Acting in the space
changes the space.
You are the system.
The whole > sum(parts).
Coherence through coordination.
Circular, not linear.
Balanced outcomes for all.
November 7, 2025 at 9:50 AM
𝗦𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗶𝘀𝗲
Nested and networked.
Fractal and fluid.
Emergent patterns change.
Inside looking around,
over outside looking in.
Acting in the space
changes the space.
You are the system.
The whole > sum(parts).
Coherence through coordination.
Circular, not linear.
Balanced outcomes for all.
Nested and networked.
Fractal and fluid.
Emergent patterns change.
Inside looking around,
over outside looking in.
Acting in the space
changes the space.
You are the system.
The whole > sum(parts).
Coherence through coordination.
Circular, not linear.
Balanced outcomes for all.
An Order Giving and Order Taking, I Know Best, Do As I Say behavioural norm is soo last century.
Taylor explicitly industrialised it with ‘Scientific Time Study’ (AKA Scientific Management) in the early 1900s.
In Shop Management (1905) he writes:
Taylor explicitly industrialised it with ‘Scientific Time Study’ (AKA Scientific Management) in the early 1900s.
In Shop Management (1905) he writes:
November 6, 2025 at 2:05 PM
An Order Giving and Order Taking, I Know Best, Do As I Say behavioural norm is soo last century.
Taylor explicitly industrialised it with ‘Scientific Time Study’ (AKA Scientific Management) in the early 1900s.
In Shop Management (1905) he writes:
Taylor explicitly industrialised it with ‘Scientific Time Study’ (AKA Scientific Management) in the early 1900s.
In Shop Management (1905) he writes:
From Mythicise, to Analyse, to Standardise, to Empathise, to Synthesise
In the West:
▶️ 𝗠𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗲: Pre-Scientific. "𝘞𝘩𝘰 𝘰𝘳 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴?". Authority in scriptures: Aristotle, Plato and Christian religious texts. Circular re-validation of existing 'truths' (1100 to 1700).
In the West:
▶️ 𝗠𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗲: Pre-Scientific. "𝘞𝘩𝘰 𝘰𝘳 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴?". Authority in scriptures: Aristotle, Plato and Christian religious texts. Circular re-validation of existing 'truths' (1100 to 1700).
November 5, 2025 at 1:41 PM
From Mythicise, to Analyse, to Standardise, to Empathise, to Synthesise
In the West:
▶️ 𝗠𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗲: Pre-Scientific. "𝘞𝘩𝘰 𝘰𝘳 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴?". Authority in scriptures: Aristotle, Plato and Christian religious texts. Circular re-validation of existing 'truths' (1100 to 1700).
In the West:
▶️ 𝗠𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗲: Pre-Scientific. "𝘞𝘩𝘰 𝘰𝘳 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴?". Authority in scriptures: Aristotle, Plato and Christian religious texts. Circular re-validation of existing 'truths' (1100 to 1700).
The Certified Really AI Practitioner certification is now up for grabs on Youtube!
Watch here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=11s7...
#BVSSH
Watch here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=11s7...
#BVSSH
November 4, 2025 at 9:50 AM
The Certified Really AI Practitioner certification is now up for grabs on Youtube!
Watch here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=11s7...
#BVSSH
Watch here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=11s7...
#BVSSH
November 3, 2025 at 11:26 AM
The main source of failure is our failed attempts to avoid failure.
Fearing intelligent failure is fearing learning.
Fearing intelligent failure leads to unintelligent failure.
Intelligent failure IS learning.
We need to learn quickly, cheaply, uniquely and safely.
#BVSSH
Fearing intelligent failure is fearing learning.
Fearing intelligent failure leads to unintelligent failure.
Intelligent failure IS learning.
We need to learn quickly, cheaply, uniquely and safely.
#BVSSH
October 31, 2025 at 9:50 AM
The main source of failure is our failed attempts to avoid failure.
Fearing intelligent failure is fearing learning.
Fearing intelligent failure leads to unintelligent failure.
Intelligent failure IS learning.
We need to learn quickly, cheaply, uniquely and safely.
#BVSSH
Fearing intelligent failure is fearing learning.
Fearing intelligent failure leads to unintelligent failure.
Intelligent failure IS learning.
We need to learn quickly, cheaply, uniquely and safely.
#BVSSH
In order to get to growth, there is a need to be comfortable with being uncomfortable, to pass through fear of failure, to get to early and often learning.
October 30, 2025 at 9:50 AM
In order to get to growth, there is a need to be comfortable with being uncomfortable, to pass through fear of failure, to get to early and often learning.
Did you know that Francis Bacon, Galileo Galilei and Isaac Newton all had a hand in shaping the Gantt chart that you use in your company today?
There is a direct link from the Scientific Revolution and the Enlightenment (1680 to 1804) to Gantt charts!
There is a direct link from the Scientific Revolution and the Enlightenment (1680 to 1804) to Gantt charts!
October 29, 2025 at 12:27 PM
Did you know that Francis Bacon, Galileo Galilei and Isaac Newton all had a hand in shaping the Gantt chart that you use in your company today?
There is a direct link from the Scientific Revolution and the Enlightenment (1680 to 1804) to Gantt charts!
There is a direct link from the Scientific Revolution and the Enlightenment (1680 to 1804) to Gantt charts!
As a leader ask:
🎯 What is the desired outcome?
📚 What have we learnt?
🧠 What will we learn next?
💡 How soon can we learn it?
🤝 How can I help?
h/t: Mike Rother, Improvement Kata
#BVSSH
🎯 What is the desired outcome?
📚 What have we learnt?
🧠 What will we learn next?
💡 How soon can we learn it?
🤝 How can I help?
h/t: Mike Rother, Improvement Kata
#BVSSH
October 27, 2025 at 9:50 AM
As a leader ask:
🎯 What is the desired outcome?
📚 What have we learnt?
🧠 What will we learn next?
💡 How soon can we learn it?
🤝 How can I help?
h/t: Mike Rother, Improvement Kata
#BVSSH
🎯 What is the desired outcome?
📚 What have we learnt?
🧠 What will we learn next?
💡 How soon can we learn it?
🤝 How can I help?
h/t: Mike Rother, Improvement Kata
#BVSSH
Incentives (explicit and implicit) drive behaviours which drive outcomes.
"Doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results is the definition of insanity", Rita Mae Brown
"Doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results is the definition of insanity", Rita Mae Brown
October 24, 2025 at 8:50 AM
Incentives (explicit and implicit) drive behaviours which drive outcomes.
"Doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results is the definition of insanity", Rita Mae Brown
"Doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results is the definition of insanity", Rita Mae Brown
Certified Really AI Practitioner (CR*P) now available on YouTube!
Welcome to your training! This is your One Best Way, One Size Fits All, Playbook for AI Dominance Transformation.
Welcome to your training! This is your One Best Way, One Size Fits All, Playbook for AI Dominance Transformation.
October 23, 2025 at 8:50 AM
Certified Really AI Practitioner (CR*P) now available on YouTube!
Welcome to your training! This is your One Best Way, One Size Fits All, Playbook for AI Dominance Transformation.
Welcome to your training! This is your One Best Way, One Size Fits All, Playbook for AI Dominance Transformation.
Did you know that the word 'entropy' comes from the Greek words for in (en) + transformation (tropē)?!
October 21, 2025 at 8:50 AM
Did you know that the word 'entropy' comes from the Greek words for in (en) + transformation (tropē)?!
From Productivity To Valuetivity.
Productivity: number of units of output, per unit of input. This is an antipattern in the Age of Digital & AI. We don't want more 'stuff'.
Valuetivity: the most value, in the shortest time, with the least effort.
Balanced with quality, safety and happiness (BVSSH)
Productivity: number of units of output, per unit of input. This is an antipattern in the Age of Digital & AI. We don't want more 'stuff'.
Valuetivity: the most value, in the shortest time, with the least effort.
Balanced with quality, safety and happiness (BVSSH)
October 20, 2025 at 12:34 PM
From Productivity To Valuetivity.
Productivity: number of units of output, per unit of input. This is an antipattern in the Age of Digital & AI. We don't want more 'stuff'.
Valuetivity: the most value, in the shortest time, with the least effort.
Balanced with quality, safety and happiness (BVSSH)
Productivity: number of units of output, per unit of input. This is an antipattern in the Age of Digital & AI. We don't want more 'stuff'.
Valuetivity: the most value, in the shortest time, with the least effort.
Balanced with quality, safety and happiness (BVSSH)
October 17, 2025 at 8:50 AM
Did you know that the word "priority" has only existed in the singular form, until relatively recently?
From the Latin 𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘰𝘳, meaning former or earlier, it referred to the "𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 that came before all others".
From the Latin 𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘰𝘳, meaning former or earlier, it referred to the "𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 that came before all others".
October 16, 2025 at 10:43 AM
Did you know that the word "priority" has only existed in the singular form, until relatively recently?
From the Latin 𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘰𝘳, meaning former or earlier, it referred to the "𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 that came before all others".
From the Latin 𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘰𝘳, meaning former or earlier, it referred to the "𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 that came before all others".
Great to see Myles Ogilvie and Tony Caink presenting on Speed AND Control at Fast Flow Conf today.
Even more important with GenAI enabling more *stuff* faster. We need speed and control, not control without speed or speed out of control.
#FastFlowConf #BVSSH
Even more important with GenAI enabling more *stuff* faster. We need speed and control, not control without speed or speed out of control.
#FastFlowConf #BVSSH
October 15, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Great to see Myles Ogilvie and Tony Caink presenting on Speed AND Control at Fast Flow Conf today.
Even more important with GenAI enabling more *stuff* faster. We need speed and control, not control without speed or speed out of control.
#FastFlowConf #BVSSH
Even more important with GenAI enabling more *stuff* faster. We need speed and control, not control without speed or speed out of control.
#FastFlowConf #BVSSH
Great to see Chris Atkinson from Atom bank presenting on Automated Value Stream Maps at Fast Flow Conf today!
#FastFlowConf #BVSSH
#FastFlowConf #BVSSH
October 14, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Great to see Chris Atkinson from Atom bank presenting on Automated Value Stream Maps at Fast Flow Conf today!
#FastFlowConf #BVSSH
#FastFlowConf #BVSSH
Your role is not your identity.
Too often, we conflate our job title with who we are. But roles are temporary. Identity is enduring. Good people look after good people, agnostic of role.
Your identity is defined by:
✅ How you show up
✅ How you behave
✅ The values you live by
✅ What you stand for
Too often, we conflate our job title with who we are. But roles are temporary. Identity is enduring. Good people look after good people, agnostic of role.
Your identity is defined by:
✅ How you show up
✅ How you behave
✅ The values you live by
✅ What you stand for
October 13, 2025 at 8:57 AM
Your role is not your identity.
Too often, we conflate our job title with who we are. But roles are temporary. Identity is enduring. Good people look after good people, agnostic of role.
Your identity is defined by:
✅ How you show up
✅ How you behave
✅ The values you live by
✅ What you stand for
Too often, we conflate our job title with who we are. But roles are temporary. Identity is enduring. Good people look after good people, agnostic of role.
Your identity is defined by:
✅ How you show up
✅ How you behave
✅ The values you live by
✅ What you stand for
Our brains are wired for survival.
We have Loss Aversion: we'd rather avoid a loss than seek a gain, which means that we'd rather avoid trying something that might fail. This is good from an evolutionary survival perspective when in the wild, however,
We have Loss Aversion: we'd rather avoid a loss than seek a gain, which means that we'd rather avoid trying something that might fail. This is good from an evolutionary survival perspective when in the wild, however,
October 10, 2025 at 8:50 AM
Our brains are wired for survival.
We have Loss Aversion: we'd rather avoid a loss than seek a gain, which means that we'd rather avoid trying something that might fail. This is good from an evolutionary survival perspective when in the wild, however,
We have Loss Aversion: we'd rather avoid a loss than seek a gain, which means that we'd rather avoid trying something that might fail. This is good from an evolutionary survival perspective when in the wild, however,
As a leader wanting to optimise outcomes, how should I behave?
Align, Act, Reflect, Adapt (AARA)
🎯 Align: be clear on the Why and the direction (measurable outcome hypotheses). Limit Work In Progress.
Align, Act, Reflect, Adapt (AARA)
🎯 Align: be clear on the Why and the direction (measurable outcome hypotheses). Limit Work In Progress.
October 9, 2025 at 8:50 AM
As a leader wanting to optimise outcomes, how should I behave?
Align, Act, Reflect, Adapt (AARA)
🎯 Align: be clear on the Why and the direction (measurable outcome hypotheses). Limit Work In Progress.
Align, Act, Reflect, Adapt (AARA)
🎯 Align: be clear on the Why and the direction (measurable outcome hypotheses). Limit Work In Progress.
In the previous 4 Industrial Revolutions work was mostly repetitive and *knowable*, with people as cogs in a machine, with narrow division of labor, work passing and detailed work orders coming from the Planning Department.
October 8, 2025 at 8:50 AM
In the previous 4 Industrial Revolutions work was mostly repetitive and *knowable*, with people as cogs in a machine, with narrow division of labor, work passing and detailed work orders coming from the Planning Department.