Journal
Insights on future ready leadership, the economics of justice, systemic innovation, and equity by design.
Who Said It? | Who Is? | What Is? | Did You Know? | Systems in Practice | Signals and Reflections
Did you know fiction fuels critical thinking?
It turns out stories don’t just entertain us — they expand our minds. Research shows that fiction readers score higher on empathy, social understanding, and flexible thinking.
In a world obsessed with efficiency, maybe the smartest thing we can do for our leadership and creativity is pick up a novel.
Who is Rebecca Solnit?
The essayist who turns observation into action, Rebecca Solnit shows how stories can become tools for change — reminding us that “hope is not a lottery ticket, it’s an axe.”
Discover why her writing continues to shape how we see power, progress, and the systems that define us.
When was the last time you had a pattern interrupt?
Real growth rarely comes from comfort. Whether it’s moving countries, shifting careers, or rethinking what’s possible, disruption helps us see with fresh eyes — revealing what to keep, what to let go of, and what to reimagine.
Read on to explore why intentional change might just be your greatest strategy for renewal.
"If nothing changes, we risk atrophying in our irrelevancy…”
“If nothing changes, we risk atrophying in our irrelevancy. If everything changes, we risk losing ourselves in ineffective chaos.”
Peter Drucker’s words capture the timeless tension of leadership — knowing what to evolve, and what must endure. Read on to explore how leaders can balance progress with purpose without losing their centre.
"Business and society have a symbiotic relationship…”
Long before “stakeholder capitalism” became a buzzword, the Business Roundtable declared that business and society are symbiotic — each depending on the other to thrive.
Four decades later, we’re still catching up to that truth. Read on to explore how this forgotten wisdom reshapes the way we think about corporate purpose today.
How ancestral wisdom guides me.
As Matariki invites reflection and renewal, I’ve been thinking about my own Internal Board of Directors — the people whose values shape my choices, even when they’re no longer here.
For me, that includes my grandfather, whose quiet strength still guides my leadership today. Who would take a seat on yours?
"We often associate a new invention with a single creator. However….”
We love the myth of the lone genius, but real innovation rarely happens in isolation. Matt Ridley reminds us that progress is almost always a team sport — shaped by the ideas, tools, and people around us.
Read on to explore why rethinking innovation might just change how we design our own systems for creativity and collaboration.
What does wellbeing really mean to you and how has this evolved over time?
At the CA ANZ Canterbury Conference, one question made me pause — how much has our understanding of wellbeing really evolved?
Once seen as a “nice-to-have,” I now view it as performance infrastructure, every bit as critical as systems or strategy.
Read on for four mindset shifts that have reshaped how I think about wellbeing, work, and what truly drives performance.
Who is Audrey Tang?
A teenage coder turned cabinet minister, Audrey Tang transformed Taiwan’s democracy with one radical idea — that technology should build trust, not extract attention.
Discover how her “no reply button” innovation helped turn polarisation into collaboration, and why her blueprint for digital democracy might just change the way we design fintech.
Our monthly companywide lunch
Do we eat together because we like each other, or like each other because we eat together?
Our monthly lunch is more than just a shared meal — it’s a ritual that shapes how we connect, collaborate, and perform.
Find out why we believe good kai is one of the smartest investments a business can make.
"To build a culture of innovation…”
Who said it? "To build a culture of innovation, leaders must encourage employees to voice their opinions, share novel ideas, and discuss errors openly."
Could true innovation come not from environments of perfection, but in spaces where vulnerability is welcomed and mistakes are viewed as learning opportunities?
What is Intergenerational Equity?
Intergenerational equity refers to the principle of fairness between generations, ensuring that today's decisions don't compromise the ability of future generations to meet their needs and enjoy similar opportunities. So, how businesses can create intergenerational impact?
False Economy: Undermining Pay Equity Creates Business Inefficiencies
The government's rush to dismantle New Zealand's pay equity framework last week wasn't just pushed through under urgency; there is broad sentiment that it was pushed through to make the budget look better.
The government claims the rushed changes to the Pay Equity Act will save “billions”, but this completely misses the bigger economic picture.
Gutting our pay equity laws isn't a triumph of fiscal responsibility; it's a budget allocation trick creating market distortions that businesses will ultimately pay for.
Do we have the courage to lead?
Do we have the courage to lead when human sense and business sense face formidable opposition?
Two years ago, I shared this Harvard Business Review article and research showing the financial consequences of politically-motivated business restrictions. Reading it again over the weekend, I was struck by how the warning is even more pertinent today than it was then.
“Organisations that nurture creativity…”
Who said it? "Organisations that nurture creativity recognise the power of allowing people the freedom to think, experiment, and try new things without fear of failure."
"The greatest danger in times of turbulence is not the turbulence; it is to act with yesterday's logic."
This wisdom feels particularly relevant in today volatile economic environment so who said it? And how might this serve as a warning against retreating to familiar patterns and processes precisely when innovative thinking and fresh approaches are most needed.
To Blacklist or Wield Influence
When confronted with business partners or providers engaged in unethical practices or poor conduct, the first instinct might be to consider blacklisting. But what about the alternative? What happens when we choose to maintain our seat at the table specifically to challenge misconduct and drive substantial reform from within?
Practicing Generosity Through Thoughtful Gifting
Take a look inside the practice of thoughtful gifting at Tax Traders. Learn why gifting is important to us, how it contributes to our culture and why I recommend your organisation considers approaching team recognition not as a cost centre, but as a strategic investment in culture and performance.
"Celebrate what you want to see more of."
Rather than complex frameworks or elaborate systems, this quote is a reminder that transformation often begins with what we choose to spotlight, recognise, and amplify. Learn more about the business thinker who said it in this post.
"Vision is the art of seeing what is invisible to others."
This quote speaks directly to one of the key qualities that sets great leaders apart …True leadership vision isn't about predicting the future but rather seeing present possibilities that remain invisible to others.