In this special episode, we honor the legendary Charles Handy, philosopher and author of The Second Curve. Recorded after his stroke, Handy shares timeless wisdom on life, leadership, change, and the importance of reinventing ourselves before it’s too late.
In “Hidden Scents,” Aidan McCullen explores how individuals with heightened perception—dubbed “Helpful Cassandras”—can guide organizations to recognize early signs of disruption or opportunity. Drawing on insights from visionaries like Andy Grove and researchers like Rita McGrath, this piece emphasizes the importance of valuing diverse perspectives to navigate an uncertain future effectively.
Continuing our conversation with Stan Deetz, we delve deeper into the challenges and strategies of leading organizations through transition. Stan emphasizes the importance of cultural awareness, understanding deeply held assumptions, and the power of storytelling in reshaping company culture. We also discuss the impact of leadership, vision, and the language used to communicate change effectively within organizations.
In this week’s Thursday Thought, we explore the importance of building capabilities proactively to help businesses navigate disruption and remain competitive. Through insights from Clayton Christensen and Stan Deetz, along with the lessons of the Spartan Warrior Mantra, we emphasize the value of ‘sweating in times of peace’ to avoid future crises. Featuring examples like Toyota’s long-term vision and strategies for strengthening core competencies, this episode offers actionable insights for leaders to prepare their organizations for the future.
In this episode, Aidan McCullen welcomes Richard Robertson, co-author of ‘The Corporate Explorer Fieldbook,’ to explore the role of strategic diversity in building effective teams for innovation. Drawing from his extensive experience, Richard shares insights on navigating the different phases of the S-curve and managing human behaviour in change processes.
In the final episode of our series with Peter Compo, we dive deep into the emergent approach to strategy. Together, we explore how leaders can maintain course amidst turbulence, engage teams to embrace strategy as their own, and avoid the pitfalls of complacency in both crisis and success. Essential insights for anyone navigating strategic leadership.
In this episode, Peter Compo discusses the limitations of traditional strategic frameworks and offers insights into how organizations can embrace an emergent approach to overcome innovation challenges. Learn about the power of central rules in guiding real-time decisions and unifying actions.
Peter Compo, author of ‘The Emergent Approach to Strategy,’ discusses the chronic failures in strategic planning and how his new book aims to redefine strategy through the lens of complex adaptive systems.
In this episode, we delve into a profound moment of opportunity in human history, examining how organisations can harness leadership to help people and communities thrive. The discussion centres on the new book, ‘Leading Through: Activating the Soul, Heart, and Mind of Leadership,’ authored by Kim, Jonathan, and Erin Clark. The Clarks share their experiences from diverse fields to propose a shift from the outdated power-over paradigm to a more human-centric, flexible, and adaptive way of leading. Topics covered include the challenges and potential of the new paradigm, real-life examples from the authors’ professional journeys, and the enduring need for empathetic leadership even in the face of daunting organisational inertia.
Aidan and David Rogers, the author of ‘The Digital Transformation Roadmap’ delve into the significant challenges and strategies for digital transformation within organisations. Key topics include overcoming psychological and organisational debt, technical capabilities required for transformation, the importance of suitable technology, retaining key talent, and evolving organisational culture. David also shares insights on governance and iterative funding, emphasising the need for smart shutdowns and resource allocation. The episode is packed with practical examples, including successful digital transformations at Walmart and Netflix. David’s profound experience and practical tools make this essential listening for business leaders and innovators.