In his fascinating book The Paradox of Choice: Why More is Less, sociologist Barry Schwartz argues that more choice is sometimes less for companies and their people. Indeed, “Part of the downside of abundant choice is that each new option adds to the list of trade-offs, and trade-offs have psychological consequences.” Choice and anticipatory regret… Read more
When issues of women rising to leadership positions arise within organisations there is much squirming in the seats by senior managers (male and female) who invariably believe (or at least articulate) there is no problem here as ability always trumps gender. Since the term ‘glass ceiling’ was coined in 1984 to illustrate the invisible yet… Read more
The leadership literature is rife with concepts regarding the need for bold leaders at all levels who encourage innovation, embrace new thinking, and take risks to achieve success. As a United States Air Force Officer and pilot by trade, I know the USAF is all about innovation and has historically been so. Just ponder Orville… Read more
Today many organisations want to be virtuous. It is a post-financial crash zeitgeist. Greed and exploitation is passé, so we are told. Being nice to people, the planet and making a profit is becoming de rigour. But can we really foresee a time when the Wolf of Wall Street becomes a lamb? Is being virtuous… Read more
by Ksenia Taranenko and Paulina Polak Reflecting on the last three months of developing our social venture and launching our pilot cohort, we cannot underestimate the boost we received at the Social Venture Weekend organised at Cambridge Judge Business School . Our social venture is ONPARTU. ONPARTU is a training and development programme for underemployed… Read more
Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up. – Pablo Picasso In his book “Steve Jobs”, Walter Isaacson reflects on a conversation between Jobs and Bob Dylan discussing creativity and composition. Dylan ponders his heyday of song writing saying “that doesn’t happen anymore, I just can’t… Read more
We often say, “Management is management!” But is it really the same across all three sectors – private, public and ‘nonprofit’? A question of real importance to me as I return from the nonprofit sector back to the private sector. My family has been in the automobile dealership business for over fifty years and I… Read more
An area of change that is often forgotten about is the period at the end of our lives. At some point, we will all inevitably experience bereavement within our family. There is a tangible social impact caused by the friction we experience in ensuring that the survivors of the deceased loved one can access all… Read more
The social good sector is more global than ever before. Over 90 per cent of European organisations give internationally. In Latin America, corporations are equally as likely to offer domestic or international pro-bono support.[1] And 1.6 million tourists travel abroad to volunteer annually.[2] The millennial generation is particularly inclined to rally around global, rather than… Read more
Thinking about healthcare from the inside, the outside and the upside down. Nearly every day I was working in hospitals, I found myself thinking, “surely there’s a better way to do this,” and I wanted to help create those new ways. Now I wait for it because it always comes: the funny look I get… Read more