Connective SenseMaking
Ontological Sociologist
Study of the way people and teams are together
Organizational
Change and Leadership
How to reflect, adapt, and shape the future.
Principles of Individual & Organizational Strength
Why This? Why Now?
Accelerating Change
Resilience
Rising Complexity
Adaptation
Growing Connectedness
Transformation
The Opportunity
Collaborate and connect individual efforts to collective power so that our results multiply
Multiply
Align
Collaborate
The "7 Principles" Framework
Research began in 2021 and I have asked more than 5,000 members from across the Department of Defense a single question:
Where do you experience a lack of connection in your current unit?
Please take 90 seconds in silence to write YOUR answers...
Where do you experience a lack of connection in your current unit?
+
What are your NCOs
NOT connecting to?
The 7 Principles Framework (an Overview)
Foundation
Layer
- 1. Self-Awareness
- 2. Purpose Alignment
- 3. Social Connection
Intelligence
Layer
- 4. Contextual Intelligence
- 5. Heritage Wisdom
Multiplication Layer
- 6. Strategic Partnerships
- 7. Future Readiness
Foundation Layer
At the very core of organizational strength
The "soft" skills
- Self-Awareness 1.
- Purpose Alignment 2.
- Social Connection 3.
1. Self-Awareness
Know Yourself Under Pressure
Recognize stress response
Ask More Questions Than You Answer
Drive learning through curiosity
What You Observe ≠Full Picture
Recognize the limits of your perspective
2. Purpose Alignment
Serve With Personal and Cultural Purpose
We heard words like: Honor and Integrity
Influence NCOs You Lead
Encourage and motivate junior members
3. Social Connection
Identify Shared Goals and Vision
Intentionally build bonds
Facilitate Meaningful Connection
Facilitate (not just mandate) the act of connecting
Threads That
Weave Teams
Trust forms the organizational fabric
Intelligence Layer
Enhancing Leadership Insight
Move beyond surface understanding
Intelligence Layer
4. Contextual Intelligence
5. Heritage Wisdom
Looking Deeper
Notice what other people may miss
Ask others to show you what they see
4. Contextual Intelligence
"What Don't I Know?" Exercises
Identify opportunities for growth
Signal vs. Noise
Filter meaningful information from distractions
5. Heritage Wisdom
Walk TO Heritage Artifacts
Actively seek historical lessons
Extract Operational Lessons
Apply past insights to current challenges
Honor the Bridges of Time
Connect experience across time
Multiplication Layer
6
Strategic Partnerships
Extend reach through collaboration
7
Future Readiness
Prepare for what's coming next
6. Strategic Partnerships
Building powerful alliances for organizational strength
Build relationships before you need them
Proactive connection creates opportunity
Extend organizational reach
Multiply capabilities through collaboration
Time, Times, Timing
Partnership success depends on when (and how often and for how long) you engage
7. Future Readiness
Building organizational capacity to thrive in changing environments
Test Perspectives
Allow for other viewpoints; develop resilience to strengthen strategic decisions
Acknowledge the Environment
Adapt to respond to shifting conditions before they create disruption
Anticipate Challenges
Trends and opportunities may transform the way you "used to do it"
Next Steps
Assess Current State
Evaluate strengths and gaps
Prioritize Focus Areas
Select principles with highest impact
Implement Pilot Programs
Test in small teams first
Measure and Adjust
Track progress and refine approach
The 7 Principles of Individual & Organizational Strength
Self
Understanding your authentic strengths and leadership style
Mission
Aligning purpose with organizational objectives
Others
Building meaningful relationships and trust
Context
Identifying what truly matters beyond surface understanding
Heritage
Extracting valuable lessons from past experiences
Partners
Extending impact through purposeful collaboration
The Future
Preparing for emerging challenges with adaptability
7 Principles of Individual & Organizational Strength