Author: Shaun Coffey

Winston Churchill struggled with depression, and that may have made him a better leader. 

Referring to Churchill, Nassir Ghaemi, professor of psychiatry in Tufts University School of Medicine, states: “The depressive leader saw the event of his day with a clarity and realism lacking in saner, more stable men.”  (Johansen, 2012, p.50)

This was one insight that hit me reading “Leaders Make the Future” by Bob Johansen.  Johansen is the former President and now Distinguished Fellow of the Institute for the Future (IFTF) – an independent non-profit think tank that has produced an annual ten-year forecast for over 40 years.  The 10 novel leadership skills he introduces in this book are worthy of deep consideration. 

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Haile Selassie’s quote emphasizes the dynamic and ongoing nature of peace. His insight urges us to reconsider peace not as a static state but as a continuous process that demands active participation and vigilance. This concept can be unpacked through several key points:

•   Daily Efforts: Peace is achieved through daily actions and decisions, each contributing to a broader, sustained effort. Every act of kindness, understanding, and cooperation helps build a peaceful society.
•   Complex Interactions: Peace is the outcome of numerous interactions and decisions. It is shaped by how we handle conflicts, the judgments we make about others, and the choices we prioritize in our personal and communal lives.
•   Continuous Process: Viewing peace as a ‘becoming’ rather than an ‘is’ highlights its dynamic nature. Peace is not a permanent state that, once achieved, requires no further effort. It is an ongoing journey that needs constant nurturing and attention.
•   Role of Individuals and Communities: Selassie’s perspective underscores the importance of individual and collective responsibility. Each person’s contribution, no matter how small, is vital in maintaining and fostering peace. Communities play a crucial role in cultivating an environment where peace can thrive.
•   Resilience and Adaptability: The concept of peace as a ‘becoming’ implies resilience and adaptability. Societies must be prepared to address new challenges and conflicts as they arise, continuously working towards harmony and stability.
•   Judgment and Decisions: Peace is closely tied to the judgments we make and the decisions we take. Fairness, empathy, and justice in our judgments lead to peaceful outcomes. This requires a conscious effort to understand and respect differing perspectives.

Haile Selassie’s words remind us that peace is a fragile, ever-evolving state that requires constant effort, vigilance, and commitment from all individuals and communities. It is through our daily actions, decisions, and judgments that we contribute to the ongoing process of peace.

Book Review: “Leadership through Disruption” by Andrew Liveris

Author: Andrew Liveris

Date of Publication: 2021

Title: Leadership through Disruption

Publisher: Wiley

ISBN: 978-1119606041

Introduction

In “Leadership through Disruption,” Andrew Liveris, the former CEO and Chairman of The Dow Chemical Company, covers the essence of leadership in times of significant change and uncertainty.

Core Themes

“Leadership through Disruption” revolves around several themes that are useful for understanding the dynamics of leading in turbulent times:

1. Adaptability and Resilience: Liveris emphasizes the importance of adaptability and resilience in leadership. He argues that leaders must be prepared to pivot and adjust their strategies in response to changing circumstances. This theme is particularly relevant in the context of global crises, technological advancements, and shifting market dynamics.

2. Innovation and Sustainability: A significant portion of the book is dedicated to the intersection of innovation and sustainability. Liveris advocates for a forward-thinking approach where leaders not only focus on profitability but also consider the long-term impact of their decisions on the environment and society.

3. Global Perspective: Drawing from his global experiences, Liveris underscores the importance of having a global perspective. He discusses the benefits and challenges of operating in diverse markets and the need for leaders to be culturally aware and sensitive.

4. Ethical Leadership: The book stresses the importance of ethical leadership. Liveris highlights the role of integrity, transparency, and accountability in building trust and credibility with stakeholders.

5. Technological Disruption: Liveris addresses the rapid pace of technological change and its implications for leadership. He discusses how leaders can harness technology to drive innovation and stay ahead of the competition.

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From Archimedes to Edison, attempts to improve quality of life have dictated a need for advances in science and technology. These advances are now widely understood as the key enablers of increasingly prosperous societies.Despite this long history, the process of managing the expanding frontiers of new knowledge in a way that will benefit society is a work in progress. This is largely due to the unpredictable nature of scientific discovery most famously illustrated by Archimedes, when, upon stepping into the bath, he suddenly realised that the volume of water displaced was equal to the volume of the submerged portion of his body.

His discovery provided the solution to the previously intractable problem of measuring the volume of irregular objects and led to further advances in assessing the density and purity of precious metals among other things. In the modern world little has changed in how new knowledge is acquired. However, in an attempt to get the best value for their limited investments, governments have devised processes to manage its discovery.

Continue reading “the Dynamics of Discovery”