Our Aim
The aim of the In2:InThinking Network is to promote study, insight, and application of individual and collective awareness of systems, psychology, variation, knowledge, and their interactions - elements recognized as the basis of W. Edwards Deming's “System of Profound Knowledge” (SoPK).
The concept of “InThinking” derives from “awareness of our own thinking and the assumptions" we make in how we act when we allocate resources (time, money, space, materials, inventory, equipment, ideas, etc.) where thinking is defined as “a way of reasoning.” Fundamental to resource allocation is whether our activities are deliberately (by choice) proactive or reactive, and whether the resources involved belong to the enterprise ("ours") or to one's own department, function, district, part, etc. ("mine"). InThinking invites an individual to learn to perceive the patterns of interdependencies surrounding him or her and to reason and judge with new insight and thereby engage in the activities of Purposeful Resource Management and Purposeful Resource Leadership across their enterprise. Such efforts would be commonplace in an "Organization as Unusual" environment.
The In2:InThinking Network is a 501(c)(3) approved educational entity. Your donations and any other financial support are tax deductible.
Scroll down for information on Events and 2027 Forum.
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This section is a place holder for our 19th forum.
July 16-18, 2027 in Santa Clarita California
Tour of Motivo’s facility with Allen Goad planned for the morning of July 15.
July 16 to 18, 2027
Santa Clarita, California
Join us at the In2:InThinking Network 2027 Forum for 2.5 days of innovation, collaboration, and forward-thinking conversations!
Service charge included in fee. Thank you for your support of the In2:InThinking Network
Basic Forum Schedule
15-July Tour of Motivo
16-July
8-9 AM Breakfast
9 AM-12 PM Sessions
12-1 PM Lunch
1:30-4:30 PM Sessions
5-6 PM Happy Hour
6-9 PM Dinner & Entertainment
17 July
8-9 AM Breakfast
9 AM - 12 PM Sessions
12-1 PM Lunch
1:30-2:30 PM Sessions
3-4:30 PM Networking session
5-6 PM Happy Hour
6-9 PM Dinner & Entertainment
18-July
8-9 AM Breakfast
9-11:30 AM Open Conversations / Forum Café
Leading with Better Questions
Scroll down for information on 2025 Forum details
On the third Tuesday of each month (skipping July and December), we will host a webinar titled our “Monthly Speaker Series.” Please review our Events page for details. Registration is required to attend monthly webinars.
Our Monthly Speaker Series
Our November 17, 2026 session is with Jeroen Verberk
10-11 AM Pacific Time (7-8 pm Central European Time)
Title:
Abstract
Dr. Deming gave us a guideline with 14 points of management. These 14 principles are to be implemented by leaders. A pretty clear set, so it seems, but how successful are leaders?
Whether or not leaders are successful and how they become successful remains an interesting question till today. Despite a variety of leadership models, behavior studies and communication guidelines, some leaders are successful, many others struggle. Is it a matter of competence? Training? Are leadership models perhaps incorrect? Apparently, there is a gap between theory and practice, which we identified over the course of 2025 across several production companies.
In this talk I would like to explore this subject together with the audience. We do that by traveling over the world, exploring various cultures and leadership styles.
Japanese culture
Let us start with an insight of the culture of the country where Dr. Deming was so successful. Why was he so successful in Japan? Why did the Japanese industry embrace his learnings? During my journeys to Japan, visiting many companies it became clear to me that the Japanese culture has some unique Let us start with an insight of the culture of the country where Dr. Deming was so successful. Why was he so successful in Japan? Why did the Japanese industry embrace his learnings? During my journeys to Japan, visiting many companies it became clear to me that the Japanese culture has some unique.
European leadership
Going west over the sphere we land in Europe. The next step is to explore the European cultures and in particular the Dutch culture. What are the distinctions and how do these affect the leadership styles? Is the leadership style a consequence of the culture, or will the leader create the culture that is required, including Dr. Deming’s 14 principles? The latter may seem the logical and preferred situation, or is the leader a product of his or her own place of birth and therefore incapable of doing so?
American culture
Last, but not least, going further to the west, let us explore the American culture and the preferred style of leadership. How is the culture different from Europe and Japan, if there is a difference? Perhaps we have more in common then we think. Let us explore.
Conclusion
Leadership as a noun, a substantive. It may imply that leadership is something defined and unchangeable. That is of course not true. To lead is a verb. It is what you do. As a consequence, the leader has a choice how to lead an organisation. That is the opening to continuous improvement. The question is not how to apply the 14 points of Dr. Deming as a kind of procedure, rather what are the choice I make as a leader? Only by understanding your own behavior one finds openings to learnings and hopefully then to successes for the greater good of an organisation. I am not here to tell you what to do, but to explore together and learn about leadership and the practical implications of 14 important lines of Dr. Deming.
Biography
Jeroen holds a BSc in Chemistry and Business Administration. After gaining international experience in the oil and petrochemical industry, he co-founded Patagonia Consultants B.V. in 2002, followed by the launch of Patagonia Academy. For over two decades, Jeroen has supported the transformation of high-tech, research, and manufacturing organisations. His expertise lies in the design and deployment of Production Systems, with a focus on strategy, leadership, and team development. Belonging to a generation that did not have direct access to pioneers such as Dr. W. Edwards Deming and other foundational thinkers, Jeroen actively seeks a deep understanding of their principles through study and traveling to countries and organisations where management principles are applied.
Platform: Zoom
Register using oval link to the right to receive the Zoom link to join
And, go to our YouTube channel to find recordings of our previous webinars, plus presentations at our 2025 and 2026 Forums, and our “Study Sessions” for Dr. Deming’s “The New Economics,” hosted by Tim Higgins and “The Leader’s Handbook,” hosted by Fazel Hayati, as well as the “Understanding Variation Study Session,” also hosted by Fazel Hayati.
Understanding Variation Study Sessions” (8 weeks/90-minutes ea), starting in summer 2027
Out of the Crisis is one of the books that created the pillars of W. Edwards Deming’s .
W, Edwards Deming
Lloyd S. Nelson (quoted by Deming)
Time:
Thursdays 12:00 Noon – 1:30 PM Pacific Time, 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM Central Time
Dates:
TBD
The New Economics Study Sessions
It begins with Dr. Edward Deming’s book, “The New Economics.” Tim Higgins is conducting a 2 month series on this book in 8 weekly 1.5-hour conversations.
Our fourth “study session” cohort with Tim starts on Thursday, October 8 and runs through December 3, 2026 with sessions from 10:00-11:30am Pacific Time
Note: no session on November 26, 2026.
Description: A group of participants assembles, via Zoom, for this 8-part, 12-hour series. Participants study W. Edwards Deming's last book, The New Economics, in which he introduced his concept of a "System of Profound Knowledge." The group reads specified chapters before each session and through facilitation guided by Tim explore the meaning and application of the ideas, as well as personal reactions to the ideas.
Registration Fee - there is NO fee to attend.
Prerequisite: there are NO prerequisites
Format: 8 1.5-hour sessions, meeting weekly over 8 weeks
Planned session start dates:
2027 Dates are to be determined
The Leader's Handbook Study Sessions
Making Things Happen, Getting Things Done 1st Edition
Description: In The Leader’s Handbook, Peter Scholtes offers a comprehensive expansion of Dr. W. Edwards Deming’s System of Profound Knowledge. Drawing from his deep expertise in organizational development, adult learning, people and intrinsic motivation, Scholtes operationalizes Deming’s teachings into six core competencies for leading organizations, inspiring people, and managing daily workflows.
Format: In his forward to the Leader’s Handbook Ackoff offers a format to study the book which we will follow in these sessions:
“I suggest a small group of managers or students of management read each chapter separately but simultaneously, and then gather to discuss what they have read. They should discuss what they agree with, what they disagree with, and, most important, how what they have read will affect their behavior. Discussion should also follow up on previous statements about what will be done differently as a result of reading the book. The format and the clarity of the presentation encourage such discussions.” [emphasis added]
Registration Fee - there is NO fee to attend.
Prerequisite: there are NO prerequisites
Format: 8, 1.5-hour sessions, meeting weekly over 8 weeks
(session will be held on Wednesdays, from 12:00-1:30pm Pacific Time)
Planned session start date(s):
April 2 - May 21, 2026
Contact Us
Interested in working, learning, and thinking together with us? Fill out some info and we will be in touch shortly. We can’t wait to hear from you!