Dealing With Irony, Paradox & Dilemma

This world is made up of working environments full of good people that are full of good intentions — they are constantly challenged by these more and more complex dynamics. The result is a fascinating array and complex blend of unintended consequences that we struggle to avoid — and often don’t even recognise.

Generally we have long worked in certain ways which means that most of the time we don’t actually question the ironies that surround us.

Yet, unless we are willing to look critically at our models, structures and working practices we are unlikely to achieve any significant improvements in effectiveness and performance. The result of looking at these fundamental foundations would find us far better equipped to take on whatever is heading our way.

One thing is certain — there’s a lot more heading our way.

1, Technology is changing every aspect of our lives

2. The skills we need for the future are completely different from the skills that have been valued in the past

3. Organisational boundaries are completely breaking down

4. Information is now a currency that every individual can trade in

5. Most organisations are completely overwhelmed by the data that they have access to

6. Products and services now span multiple industries and specialisms

7. No one really needs to spend all their days locked in an office

8. There is no single definition of a working day/week

9. The range of capabilities most organisations require to stay relevant go way beyond the ones that it makes sense to develop in house

10. Automation of pretty much all administrative, repetitive tasks is (or should be) an option for everyone

11. There are no real barriers to anyone starting their own business and disrupting long standing businesses and industries