Ever feel overwhelmed when everything seems to be changing at once?

Donna Dupont transforms that chaos into clarity using systems thinking. She spots patterns others miss and finds leverage points in complex situations that can transform how leaders make decisions under uncertainty.

With over 25 years helping organisations navigate complexity—from H1N1 and Ebola responses to NATO climate security projects—Donna brings battle-tested frameworks from the front lines of crisis management. She's won 7 government awards for excellence in policy and strategic planning, plus recognition for her award-winning research on "Anticipation in Emergency Management."

This isn't just theory though. Donna openly shares how she went from being naturally anxious to building comfort with uncertainty through deliberate practice. Her practical approach to breaking free from mental prisons will change how you see challenges and opportunities around you.

Key Talking Points:

• The "boundary principle" that prevents teams getting lost in complex systems—and why one military syndicate succeeded whilst another struggled without it
• How to take inventory of your discomfort zones and identify three key drivers of change that concern you most
• The counter-intuitive reason to share extreme scenarios—not because you believe they'll happen, but to surface hidden assumptions about the future
• Why anticipation in emergency management was just 24-48 hours, but extending time horizons could prevent repetitive crises
• The mindset assessment that determines whether teams focus on threat mitigation or opportunity leverage

Links & Resources:

• Donna's website: purplecompass.ca
• LinkedIn: Donna Dupont
• Book recommendation: "Thinking in Systems" by Donella Meadows

Today's Exercise: The Systems Pattern Scanner

This practice helps you identify hidden patterns and feedback loops in your personal or professional challenges. It builds awareness of what drives complexity whilst revealing potential intervention points.

Steps to Apply:

1. Choose one turbulent situation in your life (start small, not global challenges)
2. Ask: What's driving this pattern's growth or persistence?
3. Identify potential cascading consequences if it continues
4. Explore: Can you slow down what's driving it?
5. Consider: How might you mitigate the consequences to bring more balance?
6. Look for feedback loops—where effects become new causes
7. Practice this lens weekly until systems thinking becomes natural

Strategic Storyteller Newsletter:

This episode explores how mental models shape what we see as possible futures—and how challenging those assumptions opens new strategic options. For more insights on breaking limiting beliefs and reframing complex challenges, join my free 'Strategic Storyteller' newsletter at robdwillis.com/newsletter. Each week includes practical storytelling frameworks, personal insights, and curated resources from the podcast—all delivered in a 3-minute read.

Ever wondered how barbers get complete strangers to open up within minutes?

Tom Davies has mastered this art whilst cutting hair across continents. From serving in the military to building a loyal following as "Yorkshireman Abroad" on TikTok, he's learned to connect with everyone from closed-off Russians to addiction-struggling regulars.

Working at an upscale English-speaking barbershop in Berlin—one of Europe's most diverse cities—Tom spends 45 minutes with each client, transforming awkward silences into meaningful conversations. His counter-intuitive approach has helped him navigate cultural barriers, language differences, and deeply personal moments, all whilst holding sharp tools near people's heads.

This isn't just about haircuts—it's about the psychology of human connection and how the right question can unlock anyone.

• The game-changing question "What don't you like about your hair?" that gets clients talking faster than traditional approaches
• Why reading the room matters more than being chatty—including when to offer complete silence
• How to navigate difficult conversations, from addiction struggles to war trauma, without overstepping boundaries
• The "work question" strategy that turns small talk into meaningful connections every time
• Why being a barber in Berlin taught him that everyone needs someone to listen, especially men

• Tom's TikTok: @YorkshiremanAbroad
• • Instagram: @YorkshiremanAbroad
• • St. Leonard's Barbershop (Berlin): @stleonardsbarbershop
• • Book Recommendation: It Begins With You: The Nine Hard Truths About Love by Jillian Turecki

This simple conversation starter helps you connect with anyone by tapping into something they're genuinely expert in—their daily work experience. It works because people spend most of their waking hours at work, making them natural experts who can teach you something

1. Ask "What do you do for work?" as your opening question
2. Listen for emotional cues—do they love it, hate it, or sound neutral?
3. If they love it: Ask what specifically they enjoy or what they're working on
4. If they hate it: Ask what they'd rather be doing or what hobbies they're passionate about
5. If neutral: Dig into the details—"What does that actually involve day-to-day?"
6. Look for connection points from your own experience, however small
7. Let their energy guide whether to go deeper or pivot to other topics

Tom's approach to reading people and asking the right questions mirrors the psychology behind compelling storytelling—both require understanding what really matters to your audience. For more insights on connecting through conversation and crafting narratives that resonate, join my free 'Strategic Storyteller' newsletter at robdwillis.com/newsletter.

Each week includes practical storytelling frameworks, personal insights, and curated resources from the podcast—all delivered in a 3-minute read.

Ever wonder why some people can walk into any room and instantly connect with strangers?

Ian Rowland has spent 40 years mastering this exact skill. As a professional explainer who's worked with everyone from the FBI to Google to Coca-Cola, he's discovered that most of us squander 99% of the potential in our conversations.

From being a member of the Magic Circle to becoming a freelance writer with four decades of experience, Ian understands the power of attention and human connection. His new book "People Joy" reveals the difference between passive autopilot conversations and active, intentional ones that create genuine connections.

This isn't about manipulation or sales tricks—it's about authentic curiosity and generosity that transforms how people feel after meeting you. Ian shares practical frameworks that help you move from overlooked to memorable, whether you're networking, interviewing, or simply ordering coffee.

The three foundations that transform conversations: how you feel about people, yourself, and conversations themselves

• Why "reading the room" isn't mystical—it's 200,000 years of human evolution working for you
• The "10-second smile challenge" that creates practice opportunities with service industry heroes daily
• How genuine appreciation for others naturally leads to unexpected benefits and connections
• The counter-intuitive approach of treating every interaction as a chance to make someone's day better

• Ian's Website: ianrowland.com
• Book: "People Joy"
• LinkedIn: Ian Rowland

This simple practice builds your conversation skills while brightening others' days. It develops your ability to connect authentically and notice the impact of genuine attention.

Steps to Apply:

• Set a mental challenge when meeting someone new or familiar
• Aim to elicit a smile or laugh reflex within the first 10 seconds
• Use genuine warmth, eye contact, and attentive energy
• Keep score throughout your day—how many smiles did you create?
• Start with a goal of three smiles per day
• Practice with service industry workers, colleagues, and strangers
• Focus on authentic appreciation rather than trying to get something

Ian's approach to genuine curiosity and attention mirrors the power of authentic storytelling in business. For more insights on connecting through stories that create real impact, join my free 'Strategic Storyteller' newsletter at robdwillis.com/newsletter. Each week includes practical storytelling frameworks, personal insights, and curated resources from the podcast—all delivered in a 3-minute read.