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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Navigating the Choppy Waters: Overcoming the Challenges of Agility
This is a follow-up article to The Shifting Winds of Business: Why Agility is No Longer Optional, from last month. The America’s Cup isn’t won on calm seas. The most skilled sailors face treacherous conditions: sudden gusts, rogue waves, equipment…
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Balancing Remote and In-Office Work
Today’s article from The Guardian discusses the ongoing debate about remote work in the UK. It highlights that while many employees prefer working from home, there is increasing pressure from employers to return to the office. This tension is driven…
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From VUCA to CIRCA: A Leadership Lens Grounded in Lived Complexity
In recent years, acronyms like VUCA, BANI, TUNA, and RUPT* have gained traction as shorthand for the turbulent world we live and work in. They give shape to the storm — volatility, brittleness, unpredictability, and anxiety — helping leaders name…
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The Agility Crew: Unleashing the Power of High Performing Teams
This is a follow-up article to The Shifting Winds of Business: Why Agility is No Longer Optional, from last month. In the America’s Cup, victory isn’t achieved by a lone wolf captain. It’s the synergy of the crew, each member…
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Where Should Organizations Start on Their Business Agility Journey?
Culture, Leadership, and Governance lie at the heart of Business Agility. For organizations aiming to embrace agility, getting these elements right can set the stage for sustainable change. Here’s how to start: 1. Lead with Leadership Transformation Align on Purpose…
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Beyond the Buzzwords: Reframing VUCA, BANI & Co. Through a Complexity Lens
Strategy has always been tough. Even in stable, predictable times, making long-term bets, aligning stakeholders, and navigating uncertainty wasn’t for the faint-hearted. But in recent years, things feel different — the ground is shifting faster, and the maps we’ve used…
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Charting a Course: Why Agile Leadership is Non-Negotiable
This is a follow-up article to The Shifting Winds of Business: Why Agility is No Longer Optional, from last month. Imagine the captain of an America’s Cup yacht barking orders, micromanaging every trim of the sail, every shift in weight.…
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