Cultivated

Sign in Subscribe

Rob Lambert

Rob Lambert

A drawing of animals within a circle - with the words overlaid - Objects and Models: Why Work Never Matches the Diagram

Objects and Models: Why Work Never Matches the Diagram

Plans, roadmaps, and operating models help us explain work — but they’re never the work itself. This newsletter explores why delivery rarely matches the diagram, and what leaders can learn by paying attention to how work actually happens.

Cultivated: Notes on Seeing, Work, and Life

Cultivated: Notes on Seeing, Work, and Life

A long-form essay on noticing, movement, and making sense of complexity — through travel, work, and the quiet principles that make both more humane.

A photo of a vending machine with the words overlayed - The Vending Machine Method: Solving the Right Problems First

The Vending Machine Method: Solving the Right Problems First

Most organisations spend too much time solving symptoms instead of root problems. This article introduces the Vending Machine Method — a simple, physical workshop exercise that helps teams create clarity, focus energy, and turn the right problems into progress.

A photo of a man in a workshop with the words overlayed - The Learning Structure Behind Every Great Workshop

The Learning Structure Behind Every Great Workshop

Many workshops fail not because the content is weak, but because the learning structure isn’t doing its job. This article explores two learning approaches — and why great workshops build understanding carefully, from solid foundations.

A photo of a collage butterfly with the words overlayed - Buckminster Fuller and the Impact We Don’t See

Buckminster Fuller and the Impact We Don’t See

Buckminster Fuller’s story reminds us that our actions shape more than outcomes. This essay reflects on the unseen impact we have on people and systems — and why contribution often unfolds quietly, over time.

A drawing of an angelic person to represent trust with the words overlayed - Why Solving Customer Problems Builds Stronger Relationships

Why Solving Customer Problems Builds Stronger Relationships

Handled well, customer problems can become trust-building moments. This short essay explores why resolving issues with care, speed, and intent often creates stronger long-term relationships than perfection ever could.

A photo of Rob Lambert reading the book Growing a Business with the words overlaid - the gift of a good boo

The Gift of a Good Book

A good book can shape a career, a way of thinking, or a sense of possibility. In this Cultivated Notes reflection, I explore why giving a book is an act of care, generosity, and belief — and why care may be the quiet fuel behind creativity and leadership.