This document discusses how some groups are able to solve complex problems while others fail. It suggests that successful groups have invisible theories and frameworks that guide change. These theories can be revealed using four lenses: new ecologies, alliances, experiments, and understandings. The document introduces the Theory U framework, which views foresight and innovation as journeys of meaning and performance. It describes how signature practices and new perspectives enabled by Theory U can inform approaches to innovation and allow groups to "see around corners" to arrive at their destination.

1. Innovation & Foresight Neil Houghton March 2011 Neil Houghton 1

2. Question Why do some groups of people manage to solve complex problems while others stumble or fail? [Kahane, 2010] Neil Houghton 2

3. My answer Some groups of people have elegant theories, models and frameworks of change. That’s it… really! Oh, one more thing … The theory is invisible!! Neil Houghton 3

4. Seeing the invisible Lets shine some light on this ! Neil Houghton 4

5. Seeing around corners From A to A’ via a detour Neil Houghton 5 A A’ Departure Arrival Navigation

6. Four lenses to see differently Neil Houghton 6 New Ecologies New Alliances New Experiments New Understandings Adapted from Reos Learning Festival

7. Seeing meaning & performance A journey along the ‘U’ is a journey of meaning & performance Neil Houghton 7 Meaning Performance

8. Foresight & innovation Neil Houghton 8 FORESIGHT Meaning INNOVATION Performance

9. Innovation as a detour Signature practices enable new perspectives New perspectives inform our approach to innovation Neil Houghton 9 Signature Practices From this new perspective what does our destination look like? New Understanding

10. Foresight as a detour Foresight as 3R’s: Relearn, Reveal, Rehearse Neil Houghton 10 Re-learning the ‘past’ Rehearsing the ‘future’ Revealing the ‘present’

11. Can you see the invisible theory? An elegant theory (Theory U) is invisible Adapted from Reos Learning Festival Neil Houghton 11 New Ecologies New Alliances New Experiments New Understanding New Commitments