Dan Harley
@danharley3.bsky.social
“It is up to us to light our own small fires in the darkness”| Dad| Husband| #systemsthinking | #ProfDoc student Applied Social Research | #scilc2 | All views mine
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-harley3
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-harley3
"An accountability sink is a systemic phenomenon—an organisational structure where responsibility, while appearing to be assigned, is absorbed, obscured, or deflected when negative outcomes occur."
paulitaylor.com/2025/10/31/c...
paulitaylor.com/2025/10/31/c...
Complaints Rise Because Our Organisations Are Designed To Generate Complaints
The purpose of a system is what it does
paulitaylor.com
November 11, 2025 at 11:57 PM
"An accountability sink is a systemic phenomenon—an organisational structure where responsibility, while appearing to be assigned, is absorbed, obscured, or deflected when negative outcomes occur."
paulitaylor.com/2025/10/31/c...
paulitaylor.com/2025/10/31/c...
"While modern institutions deal with highly interdependent problems, their organisational designs are often maladapted for cross-system collaboration."
paulitaylor.com/2025/10/31/c...
paulitaylor.com/2025/10/31/c...
Complaints Rise Because Our Organisations Are Designed To Generate Complaints
The purpose of a system is what it does
paulitaylor.com
November 11, 2025 at 11:55 PM
"While modern institutions deal with highly interdependent problems, their organisational designs are often maladapted for cross-system collaboration."
paulitaylor.com/2025/10/31/c...
paulitaylor.com/2025/10/31/c...
"You can’t stop bad ideas – nor should we attempt to. We need mad, bad and dangerous ideas if we are to innovate. But they should be tamed before being unleashed."
paulitaylor.com/2024/10/20/t...
paulitaylor.com/2024/10/20/t...
The Anatomy of a Bad Idea
Bad ideas can share several features: They take a complex problem and apply a one-shot solution: the silver bullet that ignores the root cause. They are easy to understand, and don’t require …
paulitaylor.com
October 19, 2025 at 4:50 PM
"You can’t stop bad ideas – nor should we attempt to. We need mad, bad and dangerous ideas if we are to innovate. But they should be tamed before being unleashed."
paulitaylor.com/2024/10/20/t...
paulitaylor.com/2024/10/20/t...
"To prevent bad ideas gaining traction, we need to foster a culture of thoughtful innovation. This involves clearly defining problems, encouraging diverse perspectives& collaboration,& implementing a structured ideation process with thorough research& prototyping."
paulitaylor.com/2024/10/20/t...
paulitaylor.com/2024/10/20/t...
The Anatomy of a Bad Idea
Bad ideas can share several features: They take a complex problem and apply a one-shot solution: the silver bullet that ignores the root cause. They are easy to understand, and don’t require …
paulitaylor.com
October 19, 2025 at 4:48 PM
"To prevent bad ideas gaining traction, we need to foster a culture of thoughtful innovation. This involves clearly defining problems, encouraging diverse perspectives& collaboration,& implementing a structured ideation process with thorough research& prototyping."
paulitaylor.com/2024/10/20/t...
paulitaylor.com/2024/10/20/t...
I’ve written a new blog reflecting on how studying Social Network Analysis as part of my Professional Doctorate in Applied Social Research is shaping how I see improvement and collaboration. #sna #dasr
www.linkedin.com/pulse/mappin...
www.linkedin.com/pulse/mappin...
Mapping Relationships, Not Just Results
As part of my commitment to share insights from my Professional Doctorate in Applied Social Research at the University of Stirling, I’ve been reflecting on what I am learning and how it connects to my...
www.linkedin.com
October 11, 2025 at 9:03 AM
I’ve written a new blog reflecting on how studying Social Network Analysis as part of my Professional Doctorate in Applied Social Research is shaping how I see improvement and collaboration. #sna #dasr
www.linkedin.com/pulse/mappin...
www.linkedin.com/pulse/mappin...
"LLMs can play a role in social change, but must stay narrow, supportive& grounded in connection. They can amplify relationships, reveal patterns in systems, or automate tasks that don’t require human judgement. But they cannot replace the relational processes that make systems real."
The limits of AI in social change
More and more nonprofits are using AI. However, the excitement around scale and efficiency often overshadows a critical question: What does it mean to bring machine-generated abstraction into systems ...
idronline.org
September 27, 2025 at 11:25 AM
"LLMs can play a role in social change, but must stay narrow, supportive& grounded in connection. They can amplify relationships, reveal patterns in systems, or automate tasks that don’t require human judgement. But they cannot replace the relational processes that make systems real."
"Change doesn’t emerge from patterns or averages; it emerges from the slow, messy, human work of showing up, listening, and building together. This requires moral discernment, cultural fluency, and the ability to hold space for uncertainty."
idronline.org/article/tech...
idronline.org/article/tech...
The limits of AI in social change
More and more nonprofits are using AI. However, the excitement around scale and efficiency often overshadows a critical question: What does it mean to bring machine-generated abstraction into systems ...
idronline.org
September 27, 2025 at 11:23 AM
"Change doesn’t emerge from patterns or averages; it emerges from the slow, messy, human work of showing up, listening, and building together. This requires moral discernment, cultural fluency, and the ability to hold space for uncertainty."
idronline.org/article/tech...
idronline.org/article/tech...
On the weaknesses of using LLMs in social change work: "Loss of relational insight: Wisdom doesn’t arise from patterns alone. It comes from the trust, tension, and emotional connection born of human interaction."
idronline.org/article/tech...
idronline.org/article/tech...
The limits of AI in social change
More and more nonprofits are using AI. However, the excitement around scale and efficiency often overshadows a critical question: What does it mean to bring machine-generated abstraction into systems ...
idronline.org
September 27, 2025 at 11:19 AM
On the weaknesses of using LLMs in social change work: "Loss of relational insight: Wisdom doesn’t arise from patterns alone. It comes from the trust, tension, and emotional connection born of human interaction."
idronline.org/article/tech...
idronline.org/article/tech...
On the weaknesses of using LLMs in social change work: "Hollow consensus: Outputs that bypass relational work may appear actionable, but they lack the trust and shared ownership that give decisions their power"
idronline.org/article/tech...
idronline.org/article/tech...
The limits of AI in social change
More and more nonprofits are using AI. However, the excitement around scale and efficiency often overshadows a critical question: What does it mean to bring machine-generated abstraction into systems ...
idronline.org
September 27, 2025 at 11:18 AM
On the weaknesses of using LLMs in social change work: "Hollow consensus: Outputs that bypass relational work may appear actionable, but they lack the trust and shared ownership that give decisions their power"
idronline.org/article/tech...
idronline.org/article/tech...
On LLMs, "they can serve as tools that reframe, rephrase, and reorganise a person’s ideas in ways that feel expressive. This can enable creativity and reflection, but let’s be clear: It’s not agency. The tool reshapes inputs but does not make meaning."
idronline.org/article/tech...
idronline.org/article/tech...
The limits of AI in social change
More and more nonprofits are using AI. However, the excitement around scale and efficiency often overshadows a critical question: What does it mean to bring machine-generated abstraction into systems ...
idronline.org
September 27, 2025 at 11:13 AM
On LLMs, "they can serve as tools that reframe, rephrase, and reorganise a person’s ideas in ways that feel expressive. This can enable creativity and reflection, but let’s be clear: It’s not agency. The tool reshapes inputs but does not make meaning."
idronline.org/article/tech...
idronline.org/article/tech...
"In systems of social change, we grapple with an enduring tension: connection vs abstraction. Connection is slow, human& relational. It thrives on trust, listening& collaboration. Abstraction, on the other hand, simplifies complexity into patterns, insights& models. It is fast, scalable& efficient."
September 27, 2025 at 11:10 AM
"In systems of social change, we grapple with an enduring tension: connection vs abstraction. Connection is slow, human& relational. It thrives on trust, listening& collaboration. Abstraction, on the other hand, simplifies complexity into patterns, insights& models. It is fast, scalable& efficient."
"Wayfinding is the art of figuring out where you’re going when you don’t know the exact destination. You don’t need a map, just a compass. And that compass is made up of clues: joy, curiosity, energy, alignment, resonance, aliveness."
annabellewrites.substack.com/p/wayfinding...
annabellewrites.substack.com/p/wayfinding...
Wayfinding: Creating Without a Map
On moving forward even when you don't know where you're headed
annabellewrites.substack.com
September 27, 2025 at 7:41 AM
"Wayfinding is the art of figuring out where you’re going when you don’t know the exact destination. You don’t need a map, just a compass. And that compass is made up of clues: joy, curiosity, energy, alignment, resonance, aliveness."
annabellewrites.substack.com/p/wayfinding...
annabellewrites.substack.com/p/wayfinding...
"Performance measures can themselves create a performance — they become performative."
open.substack.com/pub/chrismow...
open.substack.com/pub/chrismow...
Improving performance
From KPIs to group mindedness
open.substack.com
September 23, 2025 at 8:51 PM
"Performance measures can themselves create a performance — they become performative."
open.substack.com/pub/chrismow...
open.substack.com/pub/chrismow...
Good blog on how Digital transformation is not failing because of technology, it’s failing because orgs keep repeating past mistakes, ignoring human complexity, and refusing to learn. Real transformation means changing how we learn, not just digitising services
paulitaylor.com/2025/09/05/d...
paulitaylor.com/2025/09/05/d...
Digital Transformation and Our Failure To Learn From Past Mistakes
The cyclical nature of public sector failure is a testament not to a lack of intelligence or goodwill, but to a deeply ingrained resistance to genuine learning. It’s a system designed for sta…
paulitaylor.com
September 21, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Good blog on how Digital transformation is not failing because of technology, it’s failing because orgs keep repeating past mistakes, ignoring human complexity, and refusing to learn. Real transformation means changing how we learn, not just digitising services
paulitaylor.com/2025/09/05/d...
paulitaylor.com/2025/09/05/d...
"Unlike private companies driven by profit maximisation (where efficiency directly impacts the bottom line), public services aim for broad social outcomes, welfare, and addressing societal needs. Efficacy should be the primary driver, with efficiency as a supporting factor."
lttr.ai/AhMyD
lttr.ai/AhMyD
The Problem with a Narrow Focus on Efficiency
Being efficient is not half as effective as conventional management would like to think.
lttr.ai
August 2, 2025 at 7:45 PM
"Unlike private companies driven by profit maximisation (where efficiency directly impacts the bottom line), public services aim for broad social outcomes, welfare, and addressing societal needs. Efficacy should be the primary driver, with efficiency as a supporting factor."
lttr.ai/AhMyD
lttr.ai/AhMyD
"While understanding and responding to demand is fundamental, a pure focus on it can lead to public services becoming a perpetually overwhelmed and ultimately less effective demand-response machine."
lttr.ai/AhMyD
lttr.ai/AhMyD
The Problem with a Narrow Focus on Efficiency
Being efficient is not half as effective as conventional management would like to think.
lttr.ai
August 2, 2025 at 7:43 PM
"While understanding and responding to demand is fundamental, a pure focus on it can lead to public services becoming a perpetually overwhelmed and ultimately less effective demand-response machine."
lttr.ai/AhMyD
lttr.ai/AhMyD
"An effective service, even if it appears less efficient in immediate monetary terms, can lead to significant long-term savings and societal benefits by genuinely solving problems and preventing future issues."
lttr.ai/AhMyD
lttr.ai/AhMyD
The Problem with a Narrow Focus on Efficiency
Being efficient is not half as effective as conventional management would like to think.
lttr.ai
August 2, 2025 at 7:42 PM
"An effective service, even if it appears less efficient in immediate monetary terms, can lead to significant long-term savings and societal benefits by genuinely solving problems and preventing future issues."
lttr.ai/AhMyD
lttr.ai/AhMyD
"Efficiency is very often a response to demand-led thinking, particularly in the context of public services, where resources are finite. However, true success hinges on efficacy, meaning ‘doing the right things’."
lttr.ai/AhMyD
lttr.ai/AhMyD
The Problem with a Narrow Focus on Efficiency
Being efficient is not half as effective as conventional management would like to think.
lttr.ai
August 2, 2025 at 7:39 PM
"Efficiency is very often a response to demand-led thinking, particularly in the context of public services, where resources are finite. However, true success hinges on efficacy, meaning ‘doing the right things’."
lttr.ai/AhMyD
lttr.ai/AhMyD
Short reflection on completing year 1 of my Professional Doctorate in Applied Social Research
www.linkedin.com/posts/dan-ha...
www.linkedin.com/posts/dan-ha...
I’ve just published a short reflection on completing Year 1 of my Professional Doctorate in Applied Social Research at the University of Stirling. | Dan Harley
I’ve just published a short reflection on completing Year 1 of my Professional Doctorate in Applied Social Research at the University of Stirling. I share what it’s been like returning to study at 53,...
www.linkedin.com
July 29, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Short reflection on completing year 1 of my Professional Doctorate in Applied Social Research
www.linkedin.com/posts/dan-ha...
www.linkedin.com/posts/dan-ha...
"Effective Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning approaches support teams to reflect, adapt, and make sense of change as it unfolds. This means grounding evaluation in context, values, and relationships – not just metrics and performance indicators."
learningforsustainability.net/evaluation/
learningforsustainability.net/evaluation/
Monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) - learningforsustainability.net
Resources and strategies to support monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) for systems change and sustainability work.
learningforsustainability.net
July 29, 2025 at 8:36 AM
"Effective Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning approaches support teams to reflect, adapt, and make sense of change as it unfolds. This means grounding evaluation in context, values, and relationships – not just metrics and performance indicators."
learningforsustainability.net/evaluation/
learningforsustainability.net/evaluation/
"In complex, real-world settings, evaluation is more than a reporting requirement – it’s part of a continuous learning process."
learningforsustainability.net/evaluation/
learningforsustainability.net/evaluation/
Monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) - learningforsustainability.net
Resources and strategies to support monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) for systems change and sustainability work.
learningforsustainability.net
July 29, 2025 at 8:34 AM
"In complex, real-world settings, evaluation is more than a reporting requirement – it’s part of a continuous learning process."
learningforsustainability.net/evaluation/
learningforsustainability.net/evaluation/
1/ "Narrative feedback can do what metrics alone cannot. It helps us connect, it helps us learn and it helps us lead. Let’s not just measure experience, let’s..."
www.careopinion.org.uk/blogposts/12...
www.careopinion.org.uk/blogposts/12...
Stories that change us - Why narrative feedback matters in health and care
Update from Care Opinion
www.careopinion.org.uk
July 15, 2025 at 4:10 PM
1/ "Narrative feedback can do what metrics alone cannot. It helps us connect, it helps us learn and it helps us lead. Let’s not just measure experience, let’s..."
www.careopinion.org.uk/blogposts/12...
www.careopinion.org.uk/blogposts/12...
1/ "Every time someone shares a story, they open the door to a conversation, and as staff and services can read and respond publicly, feedback becomes dialogue. This transparency builds..."
www.careopinion.org.uk/blogposts/12...
www.careopinion.org.uk/blogposts/12...
Stories that change us - Why narrative feedback matters in health and care
Update from Care Opinion
www.careopinion.org.uk
July 15, 2025 at 4:07 PM
1/ "Every time someone shares a story, they open the door to a conversation, and as staff and services can read and respond publicly, feedback becomes dialogue. This transparency builds..."
www.careopinion.org.uk/blogposts/12...
www.careopinion.org.uk/blogposts/12...
“The NHS app will become a doctor in your pocket, bringing our health service into the 21st century,”
Interesting piece in @guardian
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Interesting piece in @guardian
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Streeting sets out digital overhaul of NHS centred on ‘doctor in your pocket’ app
Health secretary banks on resulting efficiencies to reduce number of frontline workers in 10-year health plan
www.theguardian.com
July 3, 2025 at 10:48 PM
“The NHS app will become a doctor in your pocket, bringing our health service into the 21st century,”
Interesting piece in @guardian
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Interesting piece in @guardian
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
1/ “Complex projects often bring together people with different starting points- worldviews, roles, accountabilities,& measures of success. Co-design doesn’t try to…”
learningforsustainability.net/post/co-desi...
learningforsustainability.net/post/co-desi...
Designing together: reflections on co-design in complex settings - learningforsustainability.net
This post reflects on co-design practice in complex, multi-stakeholder settings, highlighting six interwoven elements that support inclusive, adaptive, and collaborative approaches.
learningforsustainability.net
June 23, 2025 at 7:10 PM
1/ “Complex projects often bring together people with different starting points- worldviews, roles, accountabilities,& measures of success. Co-design doesn’t try to…”
learningforsustainability.net/post/co-desi...
learningforsustainability.net/post/co-desi...