In the world of data-driven decision making, we often fall into a trap that I call the “measurement paradox.” It’s a sneaky cognitive bias that leads us to focus on what’s easily measurable, rather than what’s truly important. Let me illustrate with a simple example.
Read MoreParadox of Purpose: How the Quest for Meaning Reshaped Data Culture and Leadership
As we entered the 2010s, corporate America underwent a seismic shift. The relentless pursuit of efficiency that characterized the 1990s and early 2000s gave way to a new paradigm—one that prioritized purpose and profit. While addressing crucial issues of employee burnout and societal expectations, this transformation inadvertently set in motion a chain of events that would profoundly impact data culture and leadership across organizations.
Read MoreGrowth, Stagnation, and Knowing When to Move On: Navigating Career Crossroads
In a recent entrepreneurship lecture, a student shared a familiar sentiment: the “energy” from her company had waned over the past 15 years, and she missed the “spark” of the early years. She was worried she might have to leave to find it again. This reflection opened up a broader conversation about personal and organizational growth, and how to navigate the crossroads we often face in our careers.
Read MoreThe Courage to Learn: Reframing Failure in the Innovation Landscape
In business (and in life), we often misuse the word failure—in fact, we overuse it. Mischaracterizing failure can profoundly impact individual motivation, team dynamics, and organizational culture. As we'll explore, what we often label as failure is actually a crucial part of the learning and evolution process.
Read MoreThe Deceptive Complexity of Asking "Why" (Part 2/2)
At first glance, asking “why” seems like the simplest thing in the world. It's often one of the first words children learn; we associate it with curiosity and learning. In professional settings, we're often encouraged to “ask why” to get to the root of problems or to uncover deeper insights. But as with many seemingly simple concepts, the act of asking “why” effectively is far more complex than it appears.
Read MoreThe Subtle Art of Cultivating a Beginner's Mind (Part 1/2)
In personal development and innovation management, we often encounter the concept of “Shoshin” or Beginner’s Mind. Originating from Zen Buddhism, this concept encourages us to approach situations with openness, eagerness, and lack of preconceptions, even when studying at an advanced level [1]. It seems straightforward: approach each problem with fresh eyes. However, as I've observed in my research, clients, and grad students, there's a significant gap between understanding this concept and successfully implementing it in real-world scenarios.
Read MoreGenerating Startup Ideas: Peaks and Pitfalls
In entrepreneurship, the genesis of a startup often lies in personal experience. This approach, while powerful, is a double-edged sword that demands careful consideration. Let's dissect this method's benefits and potential pitfalls, drawing insights from seminal works like Geoffrey Moore's Crossing the Chasm and applying a rigorous analytical framework to the idea generation process.
Read MoreImproving Academic Writing: A Strategic Approach to Forum Posts
Forum posts in graduate programs offer an opportunity to develop professional communication skills. This post explores how to approach these assignments strategically, focusing on long-term skill development.
Read MoreDigital Transformation in Insurance: Overcoming Legacy Challenges
The insurance industry is experiencing a digital revolution. As customer expectations evolve and new technologies emerge, insurers are under increasing pressure to undergo digital transformation. However, legacy systems and outdated processes present significant hurdles for many companies. This blog post will explore the challenges of digital transformation in insurance, highlighting real-world cases and offering strategies to overcome common obstacles.
Read MoreCybersecurity Strategies for Insurers: Protecting Data in the Digital Age
We’ve become numb to the headlines. Data breaches happen almost daily, making cybersecurity a top priority for insurers. With its vaults of personal and financial data, the insurance industry is a prime target for cybercriminals. This blog post will explore effective cybersecurity strategies for insurers, highlighting real-world cases and spotlighting new technologies reshaping the cybersecurity landscape.
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