The Weekly Take from CBRE Treasure: Leadership Lessons from Pirates
Oct 20, 2025
Sam Conniff, author of Be More Pirate and founder of the Uncertainty Experts Project, dives into how pirate-inspired leadership can revolutionize business strategies. He discusses leveraging uncertainty as a catalyst for innovation and the importance of emotional intelligence in today's workplace. Conniff critiques traditional corporate norms, emphasizing shared values and agency. He also highlights how fear, when managed, can lead to connection and action, urging leaders to challenge complacency to unlock true workplace potential.
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Pirates As Early Innovators
- Pirate ships contained early seeds of workplace democracy, storytelling, and innovation.
- Sam Conniff argues these historical practices map to modern organizational change.
Step Off The Map Intentionally
- Step off the edge of the map to embrace bold, rule-breaking action.
- Then use an uncertainty toolkit to stay and succeed in the unknown.
Uncertainty Fuels Anxiety And Creativity
- Uncertainty is a major driver of anxiety but also a catalyst for creativity.
- How individuals respond determines whether uncertainty enables innovation or paralysis.
