I’ve been trying to learn more about AI (specifically Agentic AI with Pete Kaminski) and one thing I’m doing is trying to organize old publications about Liberating Structures. Here is what I’ve got so far. Do you have something I’m missing?
Disclaimer: The following was generated by ClaudeAI Sonnet 4.5. I did not review/correct/edit at this point in time. If I come back and edit, I will note it here!
Liberating Structures Publications Since 2010
A comprehensive list of books, articles, blog posts, and research papers on Liberating Structures
Core Books
The Surprising Power of Liberating Structures: Simple Rules to Unleash A Culture of Innovation
- Authors: Henri Lipmanowicz & Keith McCandless
- Published: 2014
- Formats:
- Color paperback ($49.95 USD)
- Black & white paperback ($19.95 USD)
- E-book
- ISBN: 9780615893372 (color), 9780615975306 (B&W)
- Available: Amazon US, Amazon UK, Amazon CA, Goodreads
Academic Articles & Research Papers
2017
- “Never be bored at a meeting again! Using Liberating Structures in academic libraries for increased productivity, employee engagement, and inclusion”
- Published: September 7, 2017
- Available on ResearchGate
- Focus: Application in academic library settings
2015
- “Liberating Structures: Engaging Everyone to Build a Good Life Together”
- Authors: Lipmanowicz, H., Singhal, A., McCandless, K., Wang, H.
- Published in: Wang, H. (Ed.) (2015). Communication and “the good life” (International Communication Association Theme Book Series, Vol. 2). New York: Peter Lang
2013
- “Front-line ownership: generating a cure mindset for patient safety”
- Author: Zimmerman, B., et al.
- Published in: Healthcare Papers 13(1) 6-23
- Focus: Healthcare applications
2011
- “Developmental Evaluation: Applying Complexity Concepts to Enhance Innovation and Use”
- Author: Patton, M. Q.
- Publisher: The Guilford Press, New York, NY
- Focus: References LS-inspired evaluation approaches
Medium & Online Articles
2020
- “More Magic, Less Mystery: Sustaining Creative Adaptability with Liberating Structures”
- Authors: S. Fisher Qua and Keith McCandless
- Published on Medium
- Three-part trilogy exploring complexity science roots of LS
- Each part: 10-15 minute read
- “Liberating Structures: Change Methods for Everybody Every Day”
- Authors: Henri Lipmanowicz and Keith McCandless (also listed as 2019)
- Published on Medium and in The Collaborative Change Library
- 20-minute read and primer for LS
2018
- “Creative Destruction: What You Can Stop To Make Space for Innovation”
- Author: Keith McCandless with commentary by Fisher Qua, Nancy White, Anja Ebers, Anna Forrest, and Catherine Lilly
- Published on Medium
- “LS Applications Above and Below the Water Line”
- Author: Keith McCandless
- Published on Medium (blog.usejournal.com)
- Describes three levels of Liberating Structures use: as playful-practical tools; as a principled repertoire; and, as inventive DNA
- “Taking Bigger Risks: Facing Four Fears”
- Authors: Anna Jackson and Keith McCandless
- Published on Medium
- Focus: Overcoming fears when using Liberating Structures
- “Liberating Strategy: Surprise and Serendipity Put To Work”
- Authors: Keith McCandless and Johannes Schartau
- PDF publication
LinkedIn Posts & Professional Content
2024
- “Liberating Structures Should Be Everywhere People Interact”
- Author: The Liberators
- Published: March 13, 2024
- LinkedIn blog post
2023
- “What is the value of Liberating Structures for Scrum Masters?”
- Author: The Liberators
- Published: November 25, 2023
- LinkedIn post focused on Agile/Scrum applications
Nancy White’s Blog Posts on Full Circle Associates
2025
- “Exploring New Liberating Structures in the Emerging Repertoire” (Date to be verified from full site)
- Topic: New LS development, the LS template, and spreading new structures
- Includes: Spiral Journal example structure
- “Strategy Knotworking Learning: Part 4 with Barry Overeem”
- Guest author: Philip Clark
- Focus: Strategic Knotworking with The Liberators co-founder
- Topics: Strategy as narrative, SK for training LS, Columinity tool integration
2024
- “Digital Habitats for Liberating Structures – Part 1: Technology Evaluation Framework”
- Co-author work with Keith McCandless for new LS book
- Focus: Evaluating technology platforms, tools, and features for LS online
- Covers: Creative adaptability, distribution of control, dynamic interaction, welcoming environments
- “Strategy Knotworking Learning: Part 3 with Lynda Frost”
- Guest author: Philip Clark
- Focus: Comparative advantages in strategic planning
- Topics: Process preparation, Purpose emphasis, favorite structures (Ecocycle, Critical Uncertainties)
- “Strategy Knotworking Learning: Part 2 with Fisher Qua”
- Guest author: Philip Clark
- Focus: Origins and malleability of Strategy Knotworking
- Topics: Business school case study, execution challenges, relational coordination
- “Strategy Knotworking Learning: Part 1” (Guest author: Philip Clark)
- First in series on Strategic Knotworking
- Community of practice reflections
2019
- “Criticisms and Cures around Liberating Structures”
- Published: August 14, 2019
- Source: fullcirc.com
- Focus: Addressing common criticisms of LS
Blog Posts & Online Articles
2025
- “Harnessing Complexity Science with Liberating Structures: A Strategic Blueprint for Nonprofits”
- Author: Dr. Mark Smutny, President of Civic Reinventions, Inc.
- Published: February 11, 2025
- Focus: Nonprofit strategic planning applications
Earlier Online Content
- “What Are Liberating Structures? How Can They Facilitate Change?”
- Author: Gustavo Razzetti
Earlier Publications by Founders (2010-2018)
E&Y Performance Magazine Articles
- “Liberating Structures: Innovating by Including and Unleashing Everyone” (2010)
- Authors: Henri Lipmanowicz and Keith McCandless
- E&Y Performance, Vol 2. Issue 4. (pp 6-19)
- Best overview of organizational implementation
- “Spanning Silos and Spurring Conversations: Positive Deviance for Reducing Infections in Hospitals”
- Authors: Dr. Arvind Singhal, Prucia Buscell and Keith McCandless
- E&Y Performance, Vol 2.3. (pp 78-83)
Healthcare & MRSA Prevention Research
- “From the Inside Out: Positive Deviance Subdues MRSA” (2010)
- Authors: Curt Lindberg, Keith McCandless, Sharon Benjamin, Nancy Iversen, Jeff Cohn, MD, David Hares, MD, Prucia Buscell, Margaret M. Toth, MD
- Most comprehensive scholarly study of LS application in healthcare
- “Saving Lives By Changing Relationships” (2009)
- Authors: Dr. Arvind Singhal, Prucia Buscell and Keith McCandless
- Published by the Positive Deviance Institute
Organizational Development Articles
- “Transforming Discoveries: Partners on the Journey” (2009)
- Authors: Keith McCandless & Linda DeWolf
- Focus: Innovation scaling and implementation
- “Safely Taking Risks: Complexity and Patient Safety” (2008)
- Author: Keith McCandless
- Focus: Complexity science applications in healthcare safety
- “Mastering the Art of Innovating: A Funny, Wonderful Thing Happened on the Way to My Deliverable!” (2006)
- Authors: Keith McCandless with Linda DeWolf
- Focus: Innovation methodology
- “Oil, Water, Apples, Oranges: Bootstrapping Innovation with Social Networks” (2005)
- Authors: Keith McCandless with Linda DeWolf
- Focus: Network-based innovation
- “A Primordial Pedagogy: Caves, Campfires & Watering Holes at the Mayo/Plexus Summit” (2003)
- Author: Keith McCandless
- Focus: Conference design using complexity science
- “The Sky Is Falling, Or Is It? A Strategic Planning Self Assessment” (2003)
- Author: Keith McCandless
- Focus: Strategic planning practices
- “Surprise & Serendipity At Work: Managing the Unknowable Future” (2002)
- Authors: Keith McCandless with Jim Smith
- Focus: Scenario planning at Group Health Cooperative
- “Conversation As A Creative Advance Into Novelty; A Collaborative Hunch-In-Progress” (2002)
- Author: Keith McCandless
- Focus: Generative dialogue through Seattle’s Conversation Cafés
Facilitation & Design
- “Falling Off the Horse (while facilitating with Liberating Structures)”
- Author: Keith McCandless
- Focus: Facilitation best practices and common mistakes
- Topics: Talking too much, vague invitations, setting bar too low, neglecting imaginative uses, timid facilitation
- “Liberating Structures for Enduring Cultural Change: A Disruptive Innovation”
- Author: Keith McCandless
- Published on The Doctor Weighs In blog (two-part story)
Organizational Culture & Management (Henri Lipmanowicz Articles)
- “Trust is the Lubricant of Organizational Life”
- Author: Henri Lipmanowicz
- Focus: Trust-building in organizations
- “Buy-In v. Ownership”
- Author: Henri Lipmanowicz
- Focus: Engagement strategies
- “Liberating Management Teams or A Macrostructure for Management Meetings to Foster Teamwork and Inclusiveness”
- Author: Henri Lipmanowicz
- Focus: Executive team applications
Specialized Applications & Case Studies
Complexity Science & Leadership
- “Complexity Leadership Theory: Shifting from Human Capital to Social Capital”
- Authors: Michael Arena and Mary Uhl-Bien
- Focus: Leadership theory incorporating LS principles
- “The Brazil AIDS Story” (excerpt)
- Author: Brenda Zimmerman
The Liberators Publications & Resources
Research & Academic Work
- “Study: The Underlying Research of Columinity”
- Focus: Evidence-based approach to team performance
- Research by Christiaan Verwijs at Aalborg University with Daniel Russo
- Academic paper
Tools & Resources
- Columinity – Team assessment and improvement tool
- Extensive library of articles, podcasts, visual artifacts, surveys, workshops
- Pop-art style brand identity and design cards
- Free resources available at The Liberators website
Integration & Implementation Insights
- I2Insights blog posts on Liberating Structures Ecocycle Planning
- Community-driven content and case studies
Recent Developments & Resources
2025 Events
- Liberating Structures Global Gathering 2025
- Location: Brussels
- Dates: June 19-20, 2025
- For facilitators, changemakers, and curious minds worldwide
Official Resources
- Liberating Structures Official Website
- Complete menu of 33+ structures
- Keith McCandless Articles Page
- Henri Lipmanowicz Articles Page
Note on Additional Publications
This list represents the major publications and articles that were discoverable through web search and the official Liberating Structures website. The Liberating Structures community is highly active with:
- Numerous practitioner blog posts and case studies
- International translations and adaptations
- Conference presentations and workshop materials
- Community-generated content across multiple platforms
- Ongoing work on a new LS book by Keith McCandless and Nancy White focusing on online/offline practice
For the most current and complete list, visit:
Last updated: March 2026