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
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.
Who is Clayton Christensen?
The Economist called him "the most influential management thinker of his time". Professor Clayton Christensen's theory of disruptive innovation fundamentally changed how we understand market dynamics, challenging us to see that success can be the very thing that leads to failure.
“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."
Trust in Finance and the Rise of Fintech
I'm delighted to be participating in the inaugural panel of the Juncture Dialogue Event Series on Thursday 22 May. Juncture: Dialogues on Inclusive Capitalism is a groundbreaking University of Auckland Business School research centre exploring how capitalism can better serve people and planet.
"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?
Who is Jane Nelson?
Jane Nelson is revolutionising corporate responsibility by proving that profit and purpose can be powerfully aligned, not competing forces. Learn more about Jane and how her frameworks help companies generate both economic and social value simultaneously in this post.
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.
Smooth Seas Don't Train Great Sailors
This week I am reflecting on a proverb that has shaped my understanding of leadership development: "Smooth seas don't train great sailors."
Looking back on my career, the periods of greatest growth weren't during comfortable, predictable times. They came when navigating choppy waters, making difficult decisions with incomplete information or imperfect context, and steering through unexpected storms.
"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.
The Kuhn Paradigm Shift Theory
What is the Kuhn Paradigm Shift Theory and how does it help us understand the cycles of innovation and disruption in technology? How does it act as a warning to established companies that risk dismissing anomalies in their business models as exceptions rather than early warnings and being displaced by new entrants to the market.
"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.
“You're really good at de-escalating situations."
A work acquaintance said this to me recently. After joking that having four tweens and teenagers gives me plenty of practice, I paused to consider what I actually do when team members come to me with concerns or frustrations during our one-to-one meetings.
"It's a matter of how to be, not how to do.”
Discover who gave us this wonderful quote "It's a matter of how to be, not how to do. We spend most of our lives learning how to do and teaching other people how to do, yet it is the quality and character of the leader that determines the performance, the results."
Surprising Generosity
“Warning: May cause sugar rush” was the message accompanying hundreds of treat boxes to accounting firms nationwide earlier this week. Read more about this annual tradition in today’s look inside Tax Traders.
Mass exodus?
I had the pleasure of speaking with IN THE BLACK, CPA Australia's monthly business magazine for their March feature on The Great Resignation.
It's not personal, or is it?
I strongly reject the saying “It’s not personal, it’s just business”.
Firstly because I tend to find it used to excuse behaviour that lacks integrity … and secondly because I genuinely believe business is personal
My pandemic epiphany
It's time for me to match what I do with who I am and what I care about.
Like many people I have spent the last year or so rethinking my career and long term goals, a trend known as The Great Resignation or The Big Quit.
Women are working for free
In New Zealand the average Pasefika, Maori and Asian woman is working for free from now until Christmas compared to their male counterparts.
Source: Stats NZ and with credit to PSA.org and mindthegap.nz
What are some actions we can all take to address this?