In our time of crisis, Alexander Hamilton might be perceived as a rather unusual example to learn about executive leadership. He is best associated with the US Coast Guard, the US Mint, the Report on Manufactures, and paving the path for the American Constitution. But, In addition, he also created a new kind of job; the Presidency.[…]
Continue readingProvocation #2 Live with the virus
Might there soon be a medical breakthrough that eradicates COVID-19 from the face of the earth? In that case humankind will declare victory and move on. Or the pandemic might unleash new waves across the world, forcing stricter lockdowns and cratering economies beyond repair. More likely perhaps is that contagion will continue, and the world’s societies resolve to live with the risk in ways they have not considered so far. What will that compromise look like?[…]
Continue readingWhat does leadership look like in the new world order? by Gina Lodge
Peter Drucker’s wisdom and experience endures both through the current crisis and the rebuilding going forward. The world is in a period of great uncertainty, and although being caught in the eye of the storm feels like a unique experience, there is always another one brewing[…]
Continue readingJoseph A. Maciariello: A man with a message Timo Meynhardt
I’ve only met Joe personally four or five times for longer conversations and yet it’s as if his ideas, his encouragement, and his warmth have always been there in my life. From every meeting, every mail, but above all from every text speaks a friendly approach to the world, as it can only come from deep human love. It was really like this: To know him, was to love him. Joe Maciariello was a representative of what I would call the human warmth theory. On July 1st 2020, Joe died at the age of 78 and we mourn for him.[…]
Continue readingProvocation #1 The Expertise Conundrum
The Covid-19 crisis gives us an opportunity to think about a key aspect of leadership: how much can and should leaders rely on the input of experts to make decisions, and how much latitude should they retain for themselves to decide from a generalist perspective?[…]
Continue readingThis is urgent. We must be patientby Stefan Stern
In an “always on”, digital age, the deadline – it so often seems – is now. Churchill famously called for “action this day”. Today’s demand is for “action this minute”. Why have you not replied to my email? Have you seen this tweet? What’s been happening to the S&P 500 in the last few minutes, or seconds?[…]
Continue readingA Fierce Old Story: Fighting a Plague with Common Decency by David Hurst
The rats gave the first clue: they staggered onto the streets, emitted a drop of blood from their noses and died in droves. As their bodies piled up, newspapers agitated, and citizens complained – why was the sanitation department not removing them? The rodents were collected and cremated and the citizens returned to their preoccupation with working hard and getting rich.[…]
Continue readingLeadership in a Post-Covid World: Where Learning Beats Knowing
After a hundred years, we are once again fighting a global viral war that is seemingly everywhere and ever voracious. As with the Spanish Flu pandemic, once again we’ve been found wanting in our response, and deficient in our leadership. What’s worked, social distancing and hand-washing, were relatively simple techniques born decades ago.[…]
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