Listen "Thinking differently with RJ Cordes"
Episode Synopsis
This week on the Evolving Leader, co-hosts Scott Allender and Jean Gomes talk to RJ Cordes. RJ is a research fellow at (American think tank) the Atlantic Council, and his research includes work around the fields of sensemaking and knowledge management. However, it feels like we may have just scratched the surface during our hour with polymath RJ Cordes - if you’d like a broader picture of RJ’s extensive research interests, you’ll find that on his personal website. 'Making sense of sensemaking' (Atlantic Council, 2020)0’00 Introduction2.36 Could you start by giving us some insight into your background, and also how you define sense making.10.15 Your recently published paper ‘Making sense of sense making’ is full of useful insights that extend beyond Covid. What compelled you to write that paper, and could you talk us through some of the central take-aways.20’04 Could you expand on what happens cognitively in your observation when people are no longer able to make sense of something.28’03 What advice would you give someone trying to navigate division and uncertainty?34’31 In a world where so many of us get information from highly curated feeds, what are the implications for leaders (thinking specifically about the future of work and knowledge transfer between teams)?40’50 Could you share some of your findings from your research into the relationship between government funding and innovation.42’42 In your opinion, what does the next decade hold in terms of the socio economic outlook? Social: Instagram @evolvingleader LinkedIn The Evolving Leader Podcast Twitter @Evolving_LeaderThe Evolving Leader is researched, written and presented by Jean Gomes and Scott Allender with production by Phil Kerby. It is an Outside production.Send a message to The Evolving Leader team After more than 5 years of hosting The Evolving Leader, Jean Gomes and Scott Allender are launching their new show The Mindset Economy in January 2026. The new show will explore how to live better, work smarter and be connected in a more uncertain world where machines can think. Available wherever you get your podcasts.
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