PLATE III
FIG. 03
— Issue 302 · Design Leadership Plate Tectonics —

Tectonic Cross-Section

Three stages in one geology — compress, thrust, grow. Hover each zone in order to read the friction at the collision front.
Stage I · Initial Uplift
First contact between AI-native and incumbent models. Pressure builds at the edges; nothing dramatic at the surface yet. Incumbents still in charge — boards hire the previous archetype.The wedge is beneath.
Stage II · Sustained Thrust
The override plate gains momentum — hover to thrust left and compress the crust. Pressure builds at the collision zone, lifting the range above.Horizontal force becomes vertical terrain.
Stage III · New Mountain Range
The range rests on the override plate — low foothills at first, visible but not yet dominant. Hover to grow the terrain slowly into full relief.When the new normal no longer needs a label.
↑ Surface · Future org↓ Subducted · Legacy org
ASTHENOSPHEREStaffing resourcesLagging ways of workPrevious-era playbooksLithosphereStage I · Initial UpliftHover to compressHuman teams + AI orchestrationPortfolio of initiativesPractice · Platform · ProductPublic practiceOverridingStage II · Sustained ThrustHover to thrustStage III · New Mountain RangeSubductingNow5y10y20yDepth · career strataMelt zone · resist · irrelevance
Issue 302 · Proof of Concept · Hoang · 2026
To survive disruption, you must become disruption.
Read the essay· Stages I–III · Tectonic Cross-Section · v2