When was the last time?

A recent set of road trips afforded me an opportunity to catch up on one of my favourite podcasts, Revisionist History by Malcolm Gladwell. In this most recent season, his latest book Revenge of the Tipping Point is featured and he uses the opportunity to revisit some of his early work from 25 years ago. […]

Growing a Family Business Beyond Generation One: Engaging the Next Generation

As family businesses continue to play a crucial role in the global economy, the challenge of ensuring sustainability through generational transitions looms large. It is important to reflect on strategies that can help family enterprises thrive for generations to come. Engaging the next generation is not merely a matter of handing over the reins; it […]

Five Mistakes Entrepreneurs Make

Rather than go through the usual “5 reasons why businesses fail” formula, which are typically related to the businesses plan and operational aspects, I’d like to approach the issues from more of a governance and succession planning perspective. Enterprise Longevity A business that fails in the first year, or less, is not a failure, it […]

Using Board Platforms: A No-Brainer

The global lockdown changed the way that we think about travel and led to improved internet connectivity. Traditional board meetings, sub-committee sessions, and strategic planning methodologies have evolved as a result. A key technology that drives this transformation is the emergence of the board meeting platform which is an online, collaborative space where the board […]

Managing the CEO vs Chairman vs Director Relationship

In 2019, the co-founder and CEO of WeWork, Adam Neumann, was ousted and the combination of his departure, the company’s failed IPO and a massive devaluation (from $47 billion to $8 billion) shook investor confidence. The conflict between Neumann and the board was one of the key factors in the company’s dramatic fall. WeWork’s ambitious […]

Navigating Uncertainty: Purpose-Driven Leadership for a Resilient Future

As a business leader, you’re likely asking critical questions as you prepare for the future: What’s my business’s purpose? What strategies will truly drive us forward? How do I ensure my business model is not only profitable but also resilient in the long term? These questions are at the heart of your success in a […]

Taking the Next Step as an Entrepreneur

Let’s not kid ourselves: The journey of entrepreneurship isn’t just thrilling; it’s a relentless grind filled with hurdles that require unshakeable grit and unapologetic determination. If you’re sitting there thinking about your next move, it’s time to cut through the fluff and confront the hard realities that can actually shape your path forward. No Time […]

Wired Differently: Neurodiversity and Numbers

There is a lot of talk about diversity, equity and inclusion these days. The focus on visible forms of diversity – colour, race, gender, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation and physical disability – often overlooks neurodiversity though. Employees and board members who think differently and approach problems in unexpected ways provide a substantial competitive edge.  What […]

Company Leadership and Humility

To rise to the top of your chosen field requires dedication, hard work and good luck. As much as we would all like to believe that “we make our own luck”, there is overwhelming statistical support for the role of randomness in an outcome. We can plan perfectly, execute impeccably and attempt to mitigate all […]

The Subtle Art of Leadership Wokeness

Visit any bookshop (of the virtual or bricks-and-mortar kind) and you’re likely to find the “shelves” grimacing under the weight and sheer volume of material covering the broad topic of “Leadership”.  You know that old saying “Opinions are like _________ (you know it, so I’m not going to say it 😉) – everybody has one”? […]