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Beehives and Viability: Mick Brian on Strategy, Feedback, and Emergent Learning
Manage episode 509214377 series 3657827
Viability doesn’t come from vision. It comes from feedback, iteration, and the courage to learn.
In this episode of Strategy Meets Reality, Mike Jones is joined by Mick Brian—a consultant with a military background and a passion for learning systems—to unpack how organisations can survive and thrive in complex environments.
They explore what bees can teach us about decentralised decision-making, how the OODA Loop supports learning under pressure, and why real-time feedback is the foundation of strategic adaptability. From AI adoption to after-action reviews, this conversation connects lived experience, strategic thinking, and practical tools for evolving organisations.
🔍 In this episode:
- What organisations can learn from bee colonies
- Why after-action reviews matter more than performance reviews
- How the OODA Loop supports emergent learning
- The role of AI, autonomy, and self-organisation
- Why sensemaking starts with feedback
- The importance of collective purpose and decision-making at the edge
🎧 Keywords: Strategy, Feedback, Viability, Emergent Learning, OODA Loop, After-Action Reviews, Complexity, Beekeeping, Leadership, AI Adoption, Organisational Learning
📘 Learn more about Mick’s work: Agile on the Beach Sketch
📬 Connect with Mick: Mick Brian on LinkedIn
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🔗 Full episodes, show notes, and resources: https://www.lbiconsulting.com/strategymeetsreality-podcast
📺 Watch on YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@StrategyMeetsReality
🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Buzzsprout
💬 Connect with host Mike Jones → https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-h-jones/
Chapters
1. Introduction to Mick Brian (00:00:00)
2. From Military to Consultancy: A Journey of Discovery (00:02:46)
3. The Decision-Making of Bees and Organizations (00:05:17)
4. The OODA Loop: Observing, Orienting, Deciding, Acting (00:09:27)
5. Emergent Strategy and the Pursuit of Viability (00:13:52)
6. After-Action Reviews: Learning from Experience (00:16:29)
7. AI Adoption and Self-Organization in Workplaces (00:19:32)
8. The Complexity of Problem Solving (00:23:03)
9. Experience vs. Knowledge in Leadership (00:27:02)
10. Leadership Dynamics in Military Contexts (00:28:14)
11. The Importance of Feedback and Interaction (00:31:00)
12. The Role of Technology and Efficiency in Organizations (00:35:11)
13. Lessons from Beekeeping: Collective Purpose and Decision Making (00:39:59)
14. Reflections on Learning and Growth in Organizations (00:46:38)
15. Outro (00:53:16)
30 episodes
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