Episode 2 — Steve Tendon: Constraints, Flow, and the Human Side of Organisational Risk

In this episode of Risk-First: Stars of Software, Rob Moffat speaks with Steve Tendon—creator of the Tameflow approach and a leading thinker in systems thinking, organisational performance, and flow-based management.

Steve’s work sits at the intersection of theory and real-world change, helping organisations improve economic, operational, organisational, and human performance by focusing on constraints, decision-making, and the social dynamics of collaboration. At its core, Tameflow is about understanding how people communicate, make trade-offs, and ultimately manage risk—whether explicitly or by intuition.

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Together, Rob and Steve explore:

• Why organisational success depends on decision-making and trade-offs, not just process
• How the Theory of Constraints applies to knowledge work and software systems
• The hidden risks in mergers, acquisitions, and organisational culture clashes
• Why certifications signal capability—but real expertise requires evidence and outcomes
• The importance of feedback loops, systems thinking, and human collaboration in avoiding failure
• What it means to “think more differently” in a rapidly changing, AI-shaped future

From last-minute product disasters caught minutes before release to breakthrough organisational turnarounds, this conversation reveals a powerful theme: performance improves when we focus on what truly constrains us—and have the courage to change how we think.

If risk is about navigating uncertainty and trade-offs, then mastering flow, constraints, and human decision-making may be the most important skill of all.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0884271951
A classic introduction to the Theory of Constraints, presented as a narrative about improving organisational performance. Steve highlights it as a book worth rereading many times because new insights emerge with each pass.

https://www.goldratt.com/resources/books
Further exploration of constraints thinking, flow, and systemic improvement across organisations and industries.

https://patternlanguage.com
Foundational ideas behind patterns, organisational design, and systems thinking, which strongly influence the Tameflow approach.

https://tameflow.com
Steve’s organisational performance and systems-thinking consultancy focused on improving economic, operational, organisational, and human flow.

https://tameflow.com/circle
A discussion community exploring systems thinking, constraints, organisational design, and knowledge-work performance.

https://tameflow.com/career-booster
Steve’s programme aimed at helping individuals improve professional effectiveness using constraints thinking, conflict resolution, and systemic decision-making.

Episode 1 — Dom Vogel: Cybersecurity, Leadership, and the Risks We Choose Not to See

In the very first episode of Risk-First: Stars of Software, Rob Moffat sits down with cybersecurity leader Dom Vogel to explore what risk really means beyond code, tools, and technology.

With more than two decades in the field, Dom shares how cybersecurity has evolved from a niche IT concern into a core business risk—and why many executives still fail to see it that way. From boards of directors who only pay attention when their yachts are on the line, to companies brought to a halt by ransomware because no one ever tested their backups, this conversation reveals a simple truth: most disasters aren’t sophisticated—they’re preventable.

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Together, Rob and Dom unpack:

• Why cybersecurity must be owned by business leaders, not just IT
• How poor governance—not missing technology—causes most breaches
• The hidden risks of dependency on digital systems and “shadow AI”
• Why networking and human skills matter more than technical brilliance in security careers
• How AI could transform security from burnout-driven alert chasing into meaningful risk management

This episode sets the tone for the series: understanding that success in technology—and perhaps any profession—comes down to making better decisions about risk.

If you want to get better at what you do, start by understanding the risks that shape it.

• Dark Reading
  https://www.darkreading.com
  Focuses on current security threats, research, and trends with strong links back to business impact.
• CSO Online
  https://www.csoonline.com
  Covers security leadership, governance, and risk from an executive and organisational perspective.

• Bruce Schneier’s blog (Schneier on Security)
  https://www.schneier.com
  Long-running, highly respected commentary on security, privacy, and real-world risk.

• LinkedIn – easiest place to connect and follow his daily “stories from the trenches”
  https://www.linkedin.com
• Vogel Security Leadership & Training
  https://vogelleadershipcoaching.com