The Easol blog
Ideas, decisions and the hard parts.
Field notes from the Easol team on innovation under uncertainty, the HeadStarts method in the open, and what we’ve learned building ventures of our own.
All articles
Our Thoughts
From Strategy to Exploration - The Signal Beneath the Sarat Pediredla Strive & Thrive Conversation
Mikes reflections on the Strive and Thrive conversation with Sarat
· Mike Oliver
Zooid
Launching Zooid - Rose-Sharon's reflections
Rose-Sharon reflects on launching Zooid.
· Rose-Sharon Chin
Easol Explores
Designing AI That Keeps Humans Thinking: Lessons from the Cognitive Debt Study
· Laura Kelly
HeadStarts
The HeadStarts Cycle: Turning Insight into Strategic Action
· The Easol Team
HeadStarts
The most common mistakes teams make when facing complexity
Complex challenges demand more than quick fixes. Discover the common mistakes teams make when navigating complexity and how approaches like experimentation, feedback, and systems thinking lead to better outcomes.
· Mike Oliver
Our Thoughts
What Chaos, Fractals, and Iteration Can Teach Us About Innovation
A thoughtful exploration of chaos theory, fractals, and iteration, and how these principles shape innovation, business creation, and adaptive growth. Discover why progress emerges through feedback, structure, and continuous learning, not linear planning.
· Mike Oliver
Our Thoughts
Amplifying Founders: The Leadership Constraint Behind Growth
Why leadership alignment is often the real constraint on growth. Exploring how founder self-awareness and role evolution unlock the next stage of scale.
· Mike Oliver
Our Thoughts
Insights our Strive & Thrive Conversation with Lambros
· Mike Oliver
Our Thoughts
Anti-Fragile Entrepreneurship
Why Building Businesses That Break a Little Helps Them Survive a Lot
· Mike Oliver
HeadStarts
HeadStarts: The Theory Behind the Practice
· Rose-Sharon Chin
Our Thoughts
Children are our future
Is the education system preparing children for the future of work? Easol explores why problem-solving, creativity and imagination matter more than memorisation.
· Laura Kelly
Our Thoughts
Curious, Not Certain: Founders and Entrepreneurship
Easol founder Mike takes a look back at his learnings from 2025
· Mike Oliver