…with apologies to Hieronymus Bosch.
Article: Strategic planning in government
Another article from the vaults – this one commission by McArthur Executive Search, who sought my insights on strategic planning in government for their regularly trade magazine “McArthur Executive Focus”.
“Strategy implementation is a whole-of-council challenge. Keep it simple, give it attention and celebrate each step that you and your team take in making it real. The results will be both the achievement of your goals, and the improved engagement and capability of your organisation to think, plan and deliver strategically.”
Article: Design anthropology and the IT Leader
Another article in the series I wrote for CIO of the Future a few years back. This article enjoyed wide interest as it tapped into a thread that continues today – what is the role of creativity in enterprise systems design, and what is our role, as leaders, to engender and support this?
Link: Design Anthropology and the IT Leader
or click at THIS LINK for a PDF copy.
The reasonableness test
Navigating modern corporate life can be an interesting game, these days. There are so many different personalities, styles, cultures and myths to contend with, that it is easier than ever to…offend. Not truly offend, mind you. Not in the reasonable use of the word. But offend as in saying or doing something in a way that another party disagrees with, or is threatened by. This in turns typically leads to them telling you. Not necessarily to your face; often through indirect means.
So – to any and all of those whom may have offended, I offer you a taste of the Bard.
Exit, stage left
On cognitive diversity
I’ve been a big fan of diverse teams for a number of years, and have been privileged to develop and lead a number of them.
My Masters studies cured me of perfectionism, and taught me a great deal about collaborating with people of different cognitive and emotional styles. This HBR article by Alison Reynolds and David Lewis summarises it well. I look forward to their broader research.
Key take-outs for me:
- Cognitive diversity is less visible, yet there are cultural barriers which lead to functional bias.
- “When you face a new, uncertain, complex situation, and everyone agrees on what to do, find someone who
disagrees and cherish them.”