open.substack.com/pub/davehodg...

I've written about what 19th century astronomy teaches us about 21st century people management, why prediction has inherent limits in complex systems and what we can do about

The lessons from physics suggest we might need to fundamentally rethink how we approach behavioral change in organisations.

Workplace behaviour emerges from the interaction of three components: Someone (the person), Somewhere (the environment), and Something (the task). When these three elements interact, the system becomes complex in ways that resist traditional cause-and-effect thinking.

Tiny changes in starting conditions lead to completely different outcomes over time.

What does this have to do with people management?

In the 1890s, Henri Poincaré proved that when three celestial bodies are gravitationally attracted to each other, their motion becomes fundamentally unpredictable. Not because we lack data or computing power, but because three-body problems inherently resist prediction.

This story from my recruitment days was jogged whilst reading Alicia Juarrero “Context Changes Everything”. Her introduction to 19th century physics has profound implications for how we approach workplace behaviour.

The only change? Her office was now next to the executive floor instead of embedded within her team.

Six months later, she was struggling. Not dramatically failing, just... different. Less innovative, more cautious, increasingly frustrated.

The UEL final has become the PL relegation playoff…

It makes no logical sense how a body part that cannot be scored with, that has no bearing on the goal gives him an advantage?

Nice to hear Matt. Keep up the physio and over recover as you get back the mileage. I killed my LCL not willing to pull out of Brighton Marathon.

Is Nketiah the right profile (assuming he’s the successor)? Much of JPs success is his physicality in penetrating space whilst holding off defenders? Or can we adapt to Nketiah’s strengths?

Will take a look at Hayden Hackney….

All I can think is succession planning for JP and Wharton. Why can’t I just enjoy today….?

Thanks Steve!

IRL Hungry Hippo’s?

Defining the context outside of the “professions” is key. The same way warfighting, firefighting, surgery, policing etc. are all perceptual-action scenarios.