I like the conclusion he draws – the need to focus on pattern management in complex unordered systems v.s. the futiilty of trying to engineer towards an outcome.

Despite all valid reasons to the contrary, we humans can be very unpredictable and are most often our own worst enemy. Plus we each have our own unique set of cognitive biases and experiences that filter what we hear and experience. How can groups of people be successfully engineered or micro managed? As Dave suggests, self organization within boundaries set by management and communicated effectively appears to be a more valid approach mobilizing knowledge / effort towards common organizational goals.