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How objective are you? Most of us like to think that we always make rational and fact-based decisions, but studies show that we are often swayed by unconscious biases. Thankfully we can rely on science to give us an objective and unbiased take on the world, with its robust, impartial research and cold, hard data. Or can we? It turns out the truth is a bit more complicated… In a recent iluli video, I explored how science and technology have reinforced inequalities in our socie

As company mantras go, Amazon’s "always day one" is a thinker. Does it infer progress is slow? That you’ll perpetually feel out of your depth? Perhaps a Groundhog Day of sorts, drowning in a sea of acronyms like ACS, ASIN and HOTW… On the contrary, those three words are considered to be inspirational. It’s the reason you’ll find "still day one" and the like on the LinkedIn posts of Amazonians celebrating their five, 10 and 15-year work anniversaries. It’s not a meaningless mo

If you were listing the innovators who had the biggest influence on the world in the past 50 years, the name Steve Jobs would likely come close to the top. You might be tapping out this list on the Notes app of your iPhone, or dictating it to Siri through your Apple Watch. Even if you don’t have a house full of products with a shiny fruit-based logo, Jobs’ impact transforming how we use computers and consume music, news and film in the 21st century is undeniable. 11 years on

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, there’s been a lot of talk of folk leaving their jobs in record numbers. Professor Anthony Klotz from Texas A&M University dubbed this "The Great Resignation." It sounds dramatic – but did it actually happen? My explainer video below explores this question in greater depth... I’m fascinated by what the future of work might look like (something we also considered in the iluli explainer on Universal Basic Income ). The pandemic has accelera

Picture a successful leader at the helm of a great company. What are the qualities that define them? You might now be thinking of a larger-than-life extrovert – someone who thrives on attention, has the charisma to command a room and likes to make a big noise. And it’s certainly true that some of the world’s most famous entrepreneurs are a good fit for this description. But what if I was to tell you that leading a company to greatness required the opposite qualities to this?

Pre-pandemic, ideas to improve work-life balance were often abstractions floated by leaders, who could get away with paying them only occasional lip service. However, COVID-19 and the ensuing lockdowns provided a stark assessment of employees’ working conditions. "The Great Resignation" worker exodus has sent many employers into a tailspin. As businesses scramble for incentives to retain staff and attract job seekers, the idea of a four-day working week is gaining traction. A

What do hedgehogs, foxes, birds and frogs have in common? Give up? Well, they’re all used to explain the importance of having range. David Epstein’s 2019 book Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World makes for a fascinating read, introducing various analogies to explain why having a breadth of knowledge and experience is so vital. Predicting the future Let’s start with the hedgehogs and foxes. Referencing Philip Tetlock’s well-known nicknames, Epstein explains t

When it comes to asking questions, you’ll be familiar with the Five Ws: who, what, when, where and why. These five interrogative words have inherent value. They cannot be answered with a simple "yes" or "no," resulting in our frequent usage of them from a very young age. Much like poor Peggy Schuyler in Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton , "how" gets an occasional look-in too (who, what, when, where, why… and how), but from author Simon Sinek’s perspective, no question is more im

In my day job, I’ve been responsible for hundreds – if not thousands – of hires. I’ve read CV after CV, conducted interview after interview… It can be a long, arduous process but it’s one I take very seriously.  It’s about more than just finding the right person for the job – it’s ensuring it’s the right job for the person. Will they find the work interesting? Will they feel challenged? Will they enjoy it? These are not questions answered by two sides of A4, but by hearing wh

In October 2020, the Harvard Business Review published an article entitled “What Health Care Can Teach Other Industries About Preventing Burnout”. It’s a topic of particular interest to me. Not just because of my line of work, but due to my own experience of burnout.  Failing to recognise the signs is something I think all of us will be guilty of at least once in our lives. It’s just a headache it will pass… Oh it’s nothing to worry about, I never sleep well… Sorry, what did

Would you let your boss microchip you? Not an everyday question I ask myself, I must admit. But, with technology advancing and security systems becoming more prevalent in our society, could this be the ID card of the 21st century? In January this year, The Wall Street Journal explored this very topic . "For many employees, the workday starts by swiping a plastic ID card to enter the office. But employers can’t always be sure who’s holding the card. "That humble ID badge is st

If the very idea of delivering a speech to a crowd of people starts making your palms sweat, take some solace in the fact that you’re far from alone. Time and again, study after study has found that public speaking is one of the most common phobias for people around the world.   But it’s also something that a huge number of us are called on to do on a regular basis, and while some people will understandably do almost anything to avoid these high-stress situations, the reality

At a time where businesses around the world are closing their doors, furloughing their staff and relying on Government intervention to pay basic bills, it’s unlikely that anyone thinks this is a great time to launch a new start-up. Unless, that is, they’ve dreamt up a genius, new business model that will thrive in this demanding environment in which we now find ourselves. Drone deliveries don’t sound so preposterous now, do they?! ​ There will come a point in the future when

Anyone who has watched even one episode of  The Apprentice  will surely believe they can do better than some of the half-wits we see racing around London, trying to impress Lord Sugar with their sales patter, savvy-saving and new business plans. Sometimes it’s easy to forget that it’s an entertainment show, not a serious business programme — that the characters on our screens have been hand-picked by producers because of their unapologetic bravado and all-too-often misplaced

There are many thought-provoking notions to be found within the pages of  It Doesn’t Have to Be Crazy at Work  — a strategy for celebrating “calm” in the world of work devised by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson. One such notion is that comparison is not necessary —  or in some cases, is altogether detrimental — for the success of a company. Fried and Heinemeier Hansson explain: ​ "Lots of companies are driven by comparisons in general. Not just whether they’re first,

The sheer popularity of books pertaining to the world of work can be visible from a passing glance at a Waterstone’s window display. Time management, how to influence others, how to be less stressed, how to get what you want and feel happy whilst doing so…     Conversely, the supposed “secret” to managing your time more effectively can only be unlocked by spending your precious time learning how to do so.  In most cases, there is no quick fix — no single remedy to a lifelong

I’m not usually one for self-help books. I’ve always felt life lessons are best learned through enduring personal experience, rather than heeding prescriptive advice from writers who enjoy a very different existence to my own. ​ That said,  The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck   had an intriguing title and the coveted New York Times Bestseller accolade — enough to warrant a read from me.  Before reading the book, I was of the view that many of these so-called “experts” in hap

With the airwaves dominated by talk of Brexit, you’d be forgiven for thinking this blog is about the governmental department. A topical thought-piece on immigration and national security, perhaps? Not today. Instead, I’d like to share with readers my  home office — a place of sanctuary away from distractions and, dare I say it, the somewhat calamitous political landscape of the UK right now. The nature of my day job dictates a significant proportion of my time is spent behind