Today, we are learning from Elif Kuş Saillard.

Elif, a sociologist and methodologist, is a scientist of "understanding." With over two decades of expertise in qualitative methodologies and Computer Aided Qualitative Data Analysis (CAQDAS), she founded the NAM Qualitative Research Center in Istanbul in 2013, training many social science researchers globally. 

Elif developed the "Meaningful Experience Model" to help organizations and individuals cultivate meaningful experiences. Her pioneering "Understanding Leadership" program unlocks the superpower of understanding, promoting consensus and overcoming polarization. Through this work, she aims to contribute to a sustainable future by helping people enhance their understanding, fostering a more connected and harmonious world.

Let's get started...

In this conversation with Elif Kuş Saillard, I learned:

00:00 Intro

03:00 The act of understanding is the central act of creating scientific knowledge in the scientific methodology.

08:15 The research focuses on understanding.

11:00 Writing the book 'Understand' as a calling to the social scientists.

11:15 Artificial Intelligence takes the stance of a subject in the scientific methods.

12:10 Understanding is a unique human act. It is no longer a tool.

13:00 Everything is related to everything through information.

16:40 All living and non-living beings, contributing to life, sensing each other.

21.30 The Turkish word for understanding is Anla.

25:30 Understanding - under and stand explained. Inter stance. Stand in between.

28:30 I should see the new. It should be predictable. They search for certainty.

29:45 We can be part of the complexity by accepting it.

35:15 Dualistic thinking

38:30 Agency is not uniquely human. Agency is for each object, being and becoming.

41:00 Nobody, nothing, has control of anything. It is a whole system of anything. I don't have to be afraid of anything or anybody or any AI.

42:00 Nobody can control everything.

44:00 Meaning experience model - Elif Kuş.

45:15 Our choices in sustainability do matter. Every act matters.

48:00 Concrete actions we can do for a better future.

49:15 Show up with the silence. Show up with your feelings.

52:50 Elif asks for your help with the English version of the book, Understand.

More about Elif Kuş Saillard:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/elifkus/ 

http://www.namqda.com/

https://www.anlamap.com/ 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDg5K0ZD1uM&t=1382s (video of talk at Caux IDG forum 2024)

Resources we mention:

Antonio Damasio, "Feeling & Knowing"

Peter Senge

Daniel Siegel

Robert Kegan

Inner Development Goals

IDG Global Practioners Network

Dutch book Tricky Tijden - Jitske Kramer

Dutch book Navigeren in de mist - Petra Kuipers

James Ladyman, "Every Thing Must Go" - Link to book

Federica Russo, "Poietic Character of Technology" - Link to article

Donella Meadows - Thinking In Systems

Wellbeing Economy Alliance - WeAll - Ideas for a grown-up economy – Katherine Trebeck

Video of the conversation with Elif Kuş Saillard

https://youtu.be/C6IceZtmoro

Watch here https://youtu.be/C6IceZtmoro