There’s a law in physics that’s always stuck with me, probably because it doesn’t just apply to thermodynamics, but to everything from businesses to relationships to processes and culture. It’s the Second Law of Thermodynamics, and it says this: Entropy never decreases in a closed system. In plain business terms? Without intentional input, things fall […]
Energy Will Beat Entropy – Every Time Read More »
There’s something oddly satisfying about building a dashboard. You pull together the right data feeds or build the right code. Add some charts. Pick a clean layout. Maybe even colour-code a few KPIs. Give it a round of testing. The team logs in. They nod at the numbers. And then… nothing happens. No decisions occur.
Why Most Dashboards Don’t Drive Change Read More »
I’ve written before about words and the terminology that people use, and how many (yes, consultants included) try to manipulate those words to their own purpose and advantage. I’ve stumbled upon a new debate over the last few months that I’ve been both thinking and chuckling about lately. Have you ever been in a strategy
Terminology Doesn’t Build Momentum Read More »
“Humility isn’t thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less.” That C.S. Lewis quote has followed me around like a gentle nudge on the shoulder throughout my career. As someone who straddles the line between my pointed, efficient German heritage and the more relaxed, community-minded culture of my Nova Scotian roots, I’ve come to
Leading with Less Ego: The Strategic Strength of Humility Read More »
Why clarity, iteration, and calm decision-making matter more than ever. Chaos Isn’t New – But It Feels Different Now We’ve always lived with uncertainty. Twenty years ago, VUCA was the latest buzzword about change and uncertainty. Then it became BANI. Lately, however, the pace and volume of change have been overwhelming, especially in business. Whatever
Structured Thinking amidst Chaos Read More »
What follows is a series of short articles I posted recently on LinkedIn about my journey in coming to terms with the phrase “personal brand” and identifying what that theme is for me. I hope you enjoy the read. Personal what? If I’m being honest, I’m one of those people who, when I hear people
The Illusion of Speed In business, we love the language of speed. ⚡ “We’re moving fast.” “We need to pick up the pace.” “We need a greater sense of urgency.” “Where’s our drive?” “Let’s go, go, go.” But here’s a hard truth I’ve learned across industries, from manufacturing floors to healthcare operations to tech: moving
Is Your Business Operating at Lightspeed or just Spinning? Read More »
If you’re a child of the 70s or 80s, I’m sure that opening image grabbed your attention. The Schoolhouse Rock series was classic Saturday morning TV (fun and educational). But no worries, I’m not going to start writing about law, government, or politics; there is already enough of that going on. I will discuss evolution
When I discuss the chapters of my career, I typically describe four: an IT/Tech chapter, a move to Manufacturing and Operations, then onto Healthcare and Operations, and finally, consulting. It is usually the middle two chapters that people ask me more questions about, as many people (especially those in Healthcare) see Manufacturing and Healthcare as
Does Healthcare have a theory of constraints? Read More »
When you think of a Business Operating System (BOS) or read my recent articles, you likely think of phases like Strategy Creation, Strategy Deployment, and Operational Execution, or frameworks like Balanced Scorecards, OKRs, or PDSA cycles. These are vital, no doubt, but they’re often treated as procedural rather than cultural frameworks. What if a BOS
Patrick Lencioni’s Books – BOS, Organizational Health or both? Read More »
