Category: Insights
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Burnout Trumps Agility
Do you remember that odd tale of a how a Ladies Hairdresser from Bradford discovered a formula for heatproof paint (probably a mixture made with children’s PVA glue whilst he was attempting to make his own shampoo). The paint could withstand the heat of 1500C (the heat of a nuclear bomb). The product was demonstrated…
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Timeless Way of Building – An Appreciation
A remarkable force! I cannot stop thinking about this book, the passages and content contained within it! The Timeless Way of Building by Christopher Alexander Just yesterday as I was standing in the brightly lit corridor of M&S, in the refrigerated beer section, with my hand outstretched, deciding which beer to choose, my mind wandered…
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Adam Curtis Discussing Risk
I listened to the first half of Adam Curtis being interviewed by Russell Brand. Some interesting insights that caught my ear related to antifragility, change and risk: Through this interpretation, I understand that change and volatility has been suppressed whilst, throughout this time, the systems we live in have become more and more fragile (because…
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2021 in books
Trillion Dollar Coach As I’ve continued my coaching journey, this was recommended. It’s an easy read about how a sports coach made an influence in the tech industry with coaching skills. Highlights of a thirty year career. Advice Trap Also quite an easy book to read but very practical because it prompts you to reflect…
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The things we did this year
I was standing on a field in a friends farm on the last evening of the year. It’s a clear starry night allowing me to see the billions of stars before a thin cloud covers it all a few minutes later. What a year! This year was a very positive and constructive year for many…
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My Personality Test
Here are my results of my personality test: Top 110% for Gullibility!Note: based on 1,000,000 respondents. Top 1% for Pessimism! Note: Below average for UK. Top 5% for Speedy work! Note: Extremely rapid worker! You’re almost too quick to be true. Lowest 5% for Diligence! Tip: make sure you read the questions properly before answering…
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Ask Iwata – Gaming Work
“Ask Iwata” is a short booklet with a collection of enjoyable insights from the legendary Nintendo CEO. What’s interesting is some of the philosophies to work (and play) within a gaming company. Incidentally, a company that works to create play. It was really evident how much this team loved making games and solving difficult problems…
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Trishanku’s Heaven
‘Trishanku’s Heaven’ is the state of limbo between one’s goals and one’s current state. It’s based on the tale of a handsome Indian King, Trishanku, who asked a sage to send him to heaven with his physical body. The sage refused to partake in such stupidity and told him to do good deeds and then…
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What If The Shoe Doesn’t Fit?
I’m very proud of my cousin who, after many years of trying, finally got a leading role on a TV series that is broadcast internationally. The setting: A small alpine village where everything remains just right and everything is as it should be, until my cousin enters looking to rekindle the love for his teenage…
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Antifragility and Social Complexity
Ari-Pekka Skarp and I had a wonderful conversation about #antifragility , #agility and #socialcomplexity and one interesting reflection, for me at least, was still on the topic of burnout (a sort of fragility localised at the individual level) and how it’s a lagging indicator – once it’s happened, it’s basically already too late – but how…