change Archives

De-Risking Too Much Choice in Organizational Decision-Making

De-Risking Too Much Choice in Organizational Decision-Making Issue 184, October 31, 2024 You are ready to publish an article in the content section of your website and you go to GPT4 to game the system and fine-tune the title with SEO phrases to attract the most search traffic possible. You cut and paste the article into OpenAI’s tool, enter the prompt and voila! GPT spits out 20 choices. It then asks you if you want it to expand on any…

Kevin Novak

October 31, 2024

Ideas and Innovations Newsletter

How Talented Are You at Achieving Consensus?

How Talented Are You at Achieving Consensus? Issue 183, October 24, 2024 One of the major sticking points in organizational (even family) decision-making is the pursuit of a shared goal in building consensus while recognizing the diversity of opinions, thoughts and expertise of those involved. But first, for the record, consensus is a general agreement about something, either an idea or opinion that is shared by all the people in a group (Brittanica). And add to that, the result of…

Kevin Novak

October 24, 2024

Ideas and Innovations Newsletter

Who Are Your Teachers?

Who Are Your Teachers? Issue 182, October 17, 2024 Several years ago, we attended a thought leadership conference that explored emerging trends. At the end of a session on sustainability (not just climate change, but resilience and prosperity) Chief Oren Lyons, the Haudenosaunee Faithkeeper of the Onondaga and Seneca Nations of the Six Nations of the Grand River, looked straight at the audience and asked us, “Who are your teachers?” It was one of those moments in time when a…

Kevin Novak

October 17, 2024

Ideas and Innovations Newsletter

A Closer Look at Testing

A Closer Look at Testing Issue 181, October 10, 2024 A core strategy in any decision-making is whether we are asking the right questions. Theodore Levitt, Harvard Business School professor and economist asked the classic question, “What business are you in?” Transformative examples are Uber is a technology company, not a ride-sharing company — ditto for Airbnb, Google and Amazon as tech companies, not the obvious. Okay for asking questions. But what about challenging the sacrosanct strategy of testing new…

Kevin Novak

October 10, 2024

Ideas and Innovations Newsletter

Why Do We Lie? The Sequel

Why Do We Lie? The Sequel Issue 180, October 3, 2024 Even the most optimistic among us must admit that we are living in an unprecedented and unpredictable public arena of deliberate misinformation and lies. It has become accepted behavior, and among some, a badge of honor. It is confusing and discouraging that intentional lies have become part of the fabric of our lives. If we don’t know what is true and whom to trust, it can lead to the…

Kevin Novak

October 2, 2024

Ideas and Innovations Newsletter

The Power of Letting Go

The Power of Letting Go Issue 178, September 19, 2024 The Autumnal Equinox has made its annual appearance, and if you are anything like us, the change in seasons is bittersweet. On a simple level, we are leaving the sentimental idea of happy, sunny, summer days behind as we cross the bridge to winter’s edge. If we’re more realistic, we have to admit that the Summer of 2024 was the fourth hottest on record, and by August 15, 29,917 fires…

Kevin Novak

September 19, 2024

Ideas and Innovations Newsletter

How to Recognize Bad Intentions

How to Recognize Bad Intentions Issue 176, September 5, 2024 They say the road to hell is paved with good intentions. So, is the road to paradise paved by bad intentions? As absurd as that may sound, being aware of any bad intentions (as opposed to assuming good intentions) may pave a better way forward. To be forewarned is to be forearmed, emotionally, psychologically and in the case of business, strategically. Organizations are complex interconnecting systems. The human system within…

Kevin Novak

September 4, 2024

Ideas and Innovations Newsletter

Does Substance Always Matter?

Does Substance Always Matter? Issue 175, August 29, 2024 Style over substance. This is a matter of debate that keeps social commentators relevant – at least in their own eyes. And it’s the eyes, the optics, that seem to be winning the popularity contest over substance. Think about our political arena. Fashion pundits are weighing in on the candidates’ attire with their deep psychological explanations about the colors of ties, designers of dresses and why navy blue is the new…

Kevin Novak

August 28, 2024

Ideas and Innovations Newsletter

The Power of Optimism in Organizational Storytelling

The Power of Optimism in Organizational Storytelling Issue 174, August 22, 2024 We become the stories we tell as do organizations (companies, governments, non-profits and the like). The more we tell them and elaborate on the narrative, the more we believe them to be true and represent who we are in our purpose, relationships and how we use our energy mentally and physically. These stories can become family legends, cultural origin stories, national histories, and an epic organizational tool. Psychologist…

Kevin Novak

August 22, 2024

Ideas and Innovations Newsletter

Dynamics at Play: How to Leverage Determinants

Dynamics at Play: How to Leverage Determinants Issue 173, August 15, 2024 Last week we wrote on trends, cycles and determinants, giving a new twist on understanding the process of change and transformation. To quickly review, determinants are the underlying elements that shape cycles and ultimately determine outcomes (positive, negative or neutral). As we navigate an increasingly complex and rapidly changing world, the ability to distinguish between trends, shifts, and determinants shaping our environment becomes ever more crucial. Also important…

Kevin Novak

August 15, 2024

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