By far the biggest change I have has seen is in leadership and culture. Individuals and organisation alike have been in the constant daze of cultural and leadership metamorphosis but it is still the one thing that lies at the heart of us all. It’s the ethos, the spirit, the vibe that keeps us together.
With a CFO, all other Executive Positions are redundant. Apparently…
Should CFOs make decisions regarding other executive areas once a budget has been determined? If this is the case then what is the point of financial delegation to these executive positions. Where is the freedom to drive their arm of the organisation? Where is the ability for these officers to make creative decisions, to take calculated risks?
Why force change?
Any change that is forced, that is foisted is fraught with danger, both for the employer and more so for the employee. If an organisation cannot clearly outline the benefits for the change for the individual the organisation could find itself hoist upon its own petard in venturing down the change path purely for financial and economical gain.
Creativity versus Innovation?
For all the definitions of creativity and innovation that abound, from an organic perspective, creativity is the art of conception. Innovation is the art of successful gestation. Scott Berkun goes on to suggest that the best definition of innovation is significant positive change. When we create we are looking for the original, the new. When we innovate we want to put these new and original ideas into place.
Culture is Feeling
Organisations fool themselves into believing that they want to be transformative, innovative and adaptive. They also fool themselves into believing that by changing the top-down message, the mandate from the executive, that innovation will flow like the ancient Saharan rivers of gold. Unfortunately, corporate culture is focused on operational excellence and efficiency. This is the very antithesis of the collective hearts, minds and habits of the organisation's people and their mutual perception of 'this is how we do things'. Top-down mandates can only ever command compliance, they can never influence confidence, belief, enthusiasm or creativity.
And as imagination bodies forth
And from here, is where it bodies forth... again. A community theatre in Ipswich, Queensland, Australia. An opportunity to reignite a true passion. An Australian play about an awkward guy who finally realises what life is all about. Life imitating Art. Performance Art. I'm starting this blog tonight not because I wish to shamelessly 'plug' … Continue reading And as imagination bodies forth
All for One and All Will Fall
When Alexander Dumas wrote his swashbuckling classic The Three Musketeers, he coined the phrase synonymous with this band adroit nobleman 'All for One and One for All'. It is thought by some to be the truest and most symbolic example of teamwork. We (the team are all in this together). Fast forward several centuries and our work lives are still all about 'the team' in many respects, only this time it's about getting things done and getting them done within our allotted hours of work. But what exactly are we all in for? What are we striving to achieve in the modern workday. The modern work week. Are we all in for the work or just to work?
Creativity & Emotional Intelligence are Strange Bedfellows
Lets be honest. Creativity can be a cranky, moody, tempestuous individual at times. Never satisfied. Always looking for the different angle, always searching for something new, quick to judge and often speaks before applying a social filter. Conversely, Emotional Intelligence (EQ) can be stable, happy, and diplomatic person who does their work, doesn't rock the boat and follows the company line. They are a jolly bunch even when things aren't going so well. EQs are admired by workmates because of their serenity and ability to remain cool under pressure. They are perfect employee... Or so we thought.
Why force change?
Any change that is forced, that is foisted is fraught with danger, both for the employer and more so for the employee. If an organisation cannot clearly outline the benefits for the change for the individual the organisation could find itself hoist upon its own petard in venturing down the change path purely for financial and economical gain.
Creativity versus Innovation?
For all the definitions of creativity and innovation that abound, from an organic perspective, creativity is the art of conception. Innovation is the art of successful gestation. Scott Berkun goes on to suggest that the best definition of innovation is significant positive change. When we create we are looking for the original, the new. When we innovate we want to put these new and original ideas into place.
