Peeling away complexity – a visionary look at agility, simplicity, and more.

Hi, I’m Neil Walker — welcome.
This is my space to explore the real work of transformation: leading with agility, thinking in systems, and building better ways of working.
For over 30 years, I’ve helped organizations—from financial services to frontline social care—navigate complexity, adopt agile and product mindsets, and drive meaningful change that lasts. I’ve worked across the board: from coaching teams to advising execs, from recovering failing programmes to shaping new operating models.
Since the early 2000s, I’ve been writing and speaking about agile, business agility, and transformation—long before they were hashtags. I’ve shared ideas, sparked conversations, and built communities (even before Twitter became “X”).
What ties it all together? A deep belief in the power of simplicity, adaptability, and human-centered change.
Whether you’re here to learn, rethink, or just get unstuck—you’re in good company.
Latest insights
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Crystal Clear
“Crystal Clear: A Human-Powered Methodology for Small Teams” by Alistair Cockburn is a lightweight Agile framework designed for small, co-located teams. I recently wrote a blog post on its use from a non-software perspective. I’ve had some questions sent in…
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The 7 Ps for Agile Leaders: Applying Military Wisdom to Drive Success
In the world of Agile leadership, where change is constant and complexity is the norm, lessons from unexpected sources can provide powerful insights. One such lesson comes from the military, where the 7 Ps are a well-known adage: “Proper Prior…
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Lean Change Management: A Catalyst for Agile Organizations
Over the last few weeks, I’ve re-read Lean Change Management: Innovative Practices for Managing Organizational Change by Jason Little. Jason provides a practical and insightful guide for navigating the complexities of organizational change. This book offers a fresh perspective on…
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Got Yourself a Mountain of a Problem
While on my honeymoon in New Zealand last month, I captured this breathtaking view of a perfectly conical volcano on the North Island. It reminded me of a valuable life and work lesson: even the most daunting challenges can be…
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Agile Transformation: Not a Caterpillar Turning Into a Butterfly
In the world of Agile transformation, it’s tempting to think of organizations like caterpillars—destined to transform into beautiful butterflies. But the reality is far more complex. Unlike a caterpillar, an organization doesn’t follow a preordained path to change. Transformation is…
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Navigating the “Layer Cake” of Agility, Lean, Systems Thinking, and Product Management
In the film Layer Cake, we see how the lives of the rich, the criminal, and the criminally rich are intricately woven together, each layer impacting the others in ways that often defy logic and expectation. This metaphor of intersecting…
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Make a decision. Move on. Forget about it.
This is how I approach decision-making in business, sports, and life. 30-years ago, I made a bold decision to drop out of starting a degree and accepted a role with a UK bank. Many people told me I was making…
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