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IN THIS SECTION, YOU WILL: Get a summary of several resources that I use as inspiration for developing awareness of human complexities.


In today’s fast-paced tech world, IT architects find themselves juggling the challenges of managing complex systems while trying to foster innovation and create sustainable solutions. To really make an impact, architects need to be more than just tech savvy; they must also understand organizational dynamics, embrace cultural diversity, and recognize how human decision-making plays a role in their work.

Let’s dive into several key resources and frameworks that can empower architects to elevate their practice, enhance collaboration, and lead with clarity and purpose:

  • The Culture Map: Architects’ Culture Mindfield Compass: When working in global organizations, cross-cultural collaboration is both a necessity and an opportunity. Erin Meyer’s The Culture Map serves up practical insights on how people from diverse backgrounds communicate, make decisions, and build trust. IT architects can leverage this framework to improve communication, sidestep misunderstandings, and cultivate stronger, more inclusive teams.

  • Cooperation-Based Organizations: Six Simple Rules: As organizations grow, the complexity of their structures can create challenges. Six Simple Rules introduces us to the idea of cooperative structures, which are essential for thriving in today’s landscape. By fostering distributed judgment and collaboration, architects can harness collective intelligence and tackle complex problems with greater ease. This concept aligns beautifully with Grounded Architecture, making it a powerful ally.

  • Architecting Influence: Six Plays for Grounded IT Architects: Inspired by David Marquet’s approach to leadership, this section dives into how language shapes our leadership styles. Architects can adopt Marquet’s six linguistic “plays” to encourage autonomy, shared ownership, and smarter execution within their teams. By refining how they communicate, architects can influence outcomes more effectively, guide strategic efforts, and foster a collaborative culture where everyone feels accountable.

  • The Human Side of Decision-Making: Architectural decisions aren’t just about the technical side—they’re deeply influenced by human behavior and cognitive biases. By understanding common biases like outcome bias, hindsight bias, and confirmation bias, architects can aim for more objective, evidence-based decisions. Recognizing these human factors enhances judgment and nurtures a culture of rational thinking and ongoing learning.

  • Effortless Architecture: Taking cues from Greg McKeown’s Effortless, this section encourages architects to prioritize simplifying complexity and cutting out unnecessary friction. By minimizing cognitive load and focusing on what truly matters, architects can create systems that are scalable, sustainable, and easier to maintain and evolve. Embracing an effortlessness mindset opens the door to innovation without the risk of burnout.


Together, these resources provide architects with a well-rounded toolkit that spans culture, cooperation, communication, cognition, and simplicity. With these tools in hand, architects can thrive in today’s dynamic environments, leading their teams with confidence and clarity.

On Being Architect
On Human Complexity
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