You and I are Waysfinders

Eventually we all come to the edge of our maps.  This is our frontier: the line between what we think is possible and what we’re about to discover…

Here, the WaysFinding invitation is to step into a generative conversation with the Unknown: Sensing, Responding, and Expanding to meet life as it unfolds.
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Why I do what I do

"We’re in a time between worlds, a major world-historical moment of transformation, in which the old world is passing away, and the new world hasn’t emerged yet." - Zak Stein.

I believe we are in unprecedented times.  

Wherever I go, I hear leaders and practitioners complain about the once-reliable practices, tools and ways of being that no longer work.  We have gone beyond our maps and GPS's into uncharted territory.  

Like the Polynesian wayfinders of old or the crew of the Starship Enterprise, we are being called to new frontiers, to "boldly go where no one has gone before."  This is the meaning behind the name:  More Beyond ... there is always More to discover Beyond the Horizon.

This is an invitation to become Waysfinders again.  And note the "again".  This is not a process of acquiring new knowledge or skills.  This is a process of remembering, of getting re-acquainted with long-forgotten gifts.

Albert Einstein is often quoted as saying that we cannot solve problems with the same level of consciousness that created them.  I believe this has never been more true.  

To navigate this time between worlds and become good ancestors to the next generations, it is crucial that we embrace change and find new ways of being, living and working in the world.  

That is why I do what I do ... to make an impact.  Like the proverbial butterfly flapping its wings and creating a hurricane.

What I do

I help people, teams, and organisations make sense of complexity and maintain momentum in uncertainty. My gift is making important but sometimes hard-to-understand concepts practical and accessible. From personal development to change and leadership—from learning journeys through speaking engagements to bespoke consulting engagements and workshops—you can engage with me as a facilitator and thinking partner in various ways. 

Click the button below to connect with me and find out more about how I can help you navigate the seas of uncertainty and thrive.
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My work philosophy

Humans are complex, as are the organisations we are part of.  We are not machines or nouns, we are living ecologies ... verbs. 

This means we must think differently about ourselves, our relationships, leadership and the companies we create.

There are no recipes or silver bullets. We are unique; every context is unique.  So, my focus is on teaching the skills to help you find your own way, not to provide someone else's well-worn but irrelevant path.  Click below to explore my thinking.
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The WaysFinder

I created The WaysFinder framework based on various theories, including complexity science, anthropology, and ecological psychology.

It is a deceptively simple framework that can scaffold your waysfinding journey into the unknown.  

It is brought to life by a set of WaysFinding skills and practices.

You can read more about it here.

Find out more about my Embodied Waysfinding learning journey here.
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Sonja Blignaut

I am a complexity nerd, waysfinder, artist and scientist. I founded More Beyond in 2004, before which I worked as a consultant at PWC and IBM.  I train and lecture internationally in complexity and related topics at various academic institutions and business schools.  People seem to like to hear me speak, and I've appeared at various Agile Summits, OD Conferences, and TedX Pretoria. I am a partner in Complexity Fit, the ex-CEO of The Cynefin Company, and a qualified coach in various individual and team modalities. I enjoy photography, festivals, being in nature, and drinking good coffee.

Wessel Blignaut

I know what it looks like. "I" and "me" throughout this website, and here's another bloke.  Keeping me on track (because two heads in complexity and wayfinding...) is Agile Coach Wessel. He holds a Master's degree in Program Management and is a certified Scrum Master.  Wessel is a rockstar in traditional waterfall modalities and Agile methods like SCRUM and KANBAN. His fervor is in people, specifically team dynamics and team effectiveness.  Other passions include restoring classic cars, marine aquariums, and the art of making good coffee. I think I'll keep him.

Who I work with

Like with Wessel above, many of the things I do would not be possible without the partnerships and associations I have with the people and organisations below.  Force multipliers, indeed. I am especially closely involved with Complexity Fit, a joint venture where we create cutting-edge learning journeys in complexity, change, and the future.

My clients

Since 2004 I've been consulting and engaging in thinking partnerships close by and far-and-wide. The list below is not exhaustive but represents an overview of the breadth of my experience.
IKEA
Electrolux
The UK Lottery
Accenture
RMB Private Bank
Momentum Metropolitan
Sanparks
Nedbank
Vodacom
Liberty
Itaú
Henley Business School
Gautrain Management Agency
PWC
Discovery Health
Barloworld
Microsoft
Sasol
Barclays
Anglo American

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