ShadowBox LLC

Playful Reasoning What if you could think your way into unexpected insights? Some of the most powerful breakthroughs come not from sticking to the facts but from asking, "What if?" This mindset—what Gary Klein calls “Playful Reasoning”—is about leaping from what is to what could be. It’s a way of entertaining ideas we don’t yet believe to be true and imagining alternative scenarios to uncover hidden opportunities. Contrast this with concrete reasoning: a style that prioritizes facts and closure over exploration. While practical, it can stifle insights—especially when uncertainty can’t be fully resolved. Playful reasoning doesn’t just tolerate uncertainty; it thrives on it. So the next time someone asks, “But what if...?” lean in. That simple question might lead to your next great idea. Credits- photo by Joseph Rosales on Unsplash #PlayfulReasoning #DecisionMaking #Insight #Leadership #Innovation

Is experience over-rated? Oddly, I think it might be. Too often cite years of experience as an indicator of expertise. And accumulating experiences is necessary to gain expertise. But it isn't sufficient. As I explain in this essay, there is much more that is necessary before experience can translate into expertise. https://lnkd.in/ea49EHtV

ShadowBox has another course for you! The Cognitive Dimension explores the mental processes that drive effective decision-making, accurate sensemaking, and adaptability. Through eight video-based lessons, you'll examine real-world examples to build the skills and knowledge experts use to make sense of their instincts and refine their judgment. ?? Course: The Cognitive Dimension ?? Only $50 ?? Sign up now (link below) Check it out and let us know what you think! #ShadowBoxTraining #DecisionMaking #CognitiveSkills

Availability of my Masterclass in Practical Decision Making My new course, a Masterclass in Practial Decision Making, has received a number of positive reviews. In order to make the course more readily available, my company, ShadowBox LLC, has just arranged an easy way to get access to my course via Udemy, a major distributor of on-line courses. If you are already signed up with Udemy, here is a link you can use: https://lnkd.in/es3C-bMZ If you want to access the course directly from the ShadowBox Learning Center, here is our own link: https://lnkd.in/eBxN2pa4 I hope you enjoy the course -- 15 episodes, each only five minutes long.

I recently wrote an article detailing the major schools of thought in decision-making, including their history, their major claims, and some resources for those interested in learning more. Link in the comments! But until you get around to it, here is a handy reference table. My personal take is that it is useful to have different traditions of decision-making because they serve different functions and domains. But at the same time, science should be coherent, and we should work to try and bridge the differences (real or perceived) between these schools of thought. (I will also admit that I have a little bit of a bias. I think NDM is more correct and has a better understanding of decision-making. That's a big reason why I work with Gary Klein at ShadowBox LLC!)

Udemy users, ShadowBox LLC has just released its master class by Gary Klein on practical decision-making! If you are not familiar, Gary founded the field of Naturalistic Decision-Making which focuses on how experts make decisions in high stakes and highly uncertain environments. Gary has been a major influence on me and how I think about decision-making. If you are already a Udemy user, use this link. Otherwise, you can find the course on ShadowBox as well https://lnkd.in/gMy9MEvg https://lnkd.in/gEg4nA-X

A great reminder that while procedures are critical for safety and consistency, they aren’t a one-size-fits-all solution. The real power comes from balancing structured guidance with the flexibility to adapt—especially in dynamic environments. Simulation-based training plays a key role in preparing operators to navigate real-world complexities beyond the written steps. Great insights!

This project is a big step forward in managing a significant challenge being faced by the aviation industry. So many experienced engineers are leaving the profession, creating a knowledge and experience gap which we are struggling to fill. As has been shown by the Naturalistic Decision Making community, we do not struggle to train novice engineers into proficient performers. Developing them into experts however is more difficult, takes a long time and cannot be achieved without exposing them to real maintenance situations. This project, through a extensive global effort, has developed realistic maintenance scenarios which can be used to do just that. With great feedback so far, I am looking forward to hearing how this is received by the front-line!

Podcast with a plastic surgeon. I recently had an enjoyable and wide-ranging discussion with Dr. Charles Lee, a plastic surgeon in Malaysia, for his Mindflow Ergonomics podcast. Dr. Lee has posted our conversation on YouTube. Here is the link. https://lnkd.in/eT-vUJsq

Why do insights feel like magic? Here is an essay my colleague Jared Peterson has written to unpack this phenomenon. Gary https://lnkd.in/eHEMsXMY