Margaret Heffernan

Margaret Heffernan is an entrepreneur, CEO, executive leadership coach, and author of six books. Her often counter-intuitive insights on collaboration, consensus-building, and decision-making have earned her a reputation as a smart thinker who challenges conventional business wisdom. In her latest book, Uncharted: How to Map the Future, Margaret explains why attempts to predict the future, even in today's world of AI and Big Data technologies, are often doomed to failure. She offers alternative strategies for organizations facing an uncertain future — strategies based on human creativity and resilience.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today, I’m joined by speaker, international executive and five-time author Margaret Heffernan. We discuss how to get the most out of our people, creating a thriving culture of trust and collaboration, and how to prevent potentially devastating “willful blindness.”   Go Premium: Members get early access, ad-free episodes, hand-edited transcripts, searchable transcripts, member-only episodes, and more. Sign up at: https://fs.blog/membership/   Every Sunday our newsletter shares timeless insights and ideas that you can use at work and home. Add it to your inbox: https://fs.blog/newsletter/   Follow Shane on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/ShaneAParrish   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Margaret Heffernan, author of "Uncharted" and mentor to global CEOs, dives into the complexities of organizational change. She highlights why euphemistic language can derail transformation and encourages leaders to treat their teams as capable individuals. With insights from her time in tech and a captivating case study from Pixar, she illustrates how to foster a culture of creativity and agency. Heffernan’s no-nonsense approach reveals that constant change is vital for growth, challenging leaders to embrace rather than resist it.

Margaret Heffernan, an entrepreneur and author, shares her unique insights on uncertainty in decision-making. She challenges the reliance on data for predicting the future, stressing that it's often inadequate. Instead, she advocates for fostering creativity and collaboration within organizations. Using the 'super chicken' experiment, she illustrates how competition can harm team performance. Heffernan also highlights the importance of local action and the creative energies of artists as vital tools for navigating unpredictability.

Margaret Heffernan, Professor of Practice at the University of Bath and best-selling author, joins mental health expert Petra Velzeboer, CEO of PVL, to explore how conformity can stifle creativity in the workplace. They discuss the psychological barriers employees face and the importance of fostering psychological safety to break free from mediocrity. The conversation emphasizes embracing individuality and the dangers of groupthink, highlighting strategies for innovative leadership and creating environments where diverse voices can thrive.

Margaret Heffernan, author of Wilful Blindness, discusses the dangers of willful ignorance and the importance of confronting uncomfortable information. The podcast explores the impact of willful blindness on decision-making, problem-solving, and personal growth, while emphasizing the need to break free from the trap of obedience and conformity.

Margaret Heffernan, a prolific writer and captivating speaker, discusses the challenges of predicting the future and the difference between complicated and complex systems. She also explores the challenges faced by product managers and the importance of accuracy and transparency in product forecasting.

Margaret Heffernan, a professor and author, dives into the unpredictable future in her latest book, Uncharted. She emphasizes that while we cannot predict every twist and turn, we can prepare for them. Heffernan discusses the power of experimentation and scenario planning, sharing insights from healthcare and business that highlight flexibility and continuous learning. She also explores the importance of embracing creativity, spontaneity, and even mortality as key components for personal and professional growth.

Margaret Heffernan, an award-winning author and entrepreneur, discusses how uncertainty can be a creative ally rather than a foe. She shares insights from her journey through TV and tech, highlighting the unique value of human imagination that AI cannot replicate. The conversation explores how wandering and embracing chaos can fuel artistic resilience. Heffernan also reflects on the challenges writers face, striking a balance between creativity and financial stability, while emphasizing community support in the writing process.

Margaret Heffernan, a Professor of Practice in Management and former CEO, discusses the chronic productivity issues plaguing the UK. She highlights that despite longer office hours, the UK's productivity lags behind countries like France and Germany. Heffernan explores the detrimental effects of negative management practices on employee potential and advocates for a culture that prioritizes creativity and engagement. The conversation also touches on the government's crucial role in fostering productivity through education and infrastructure reform.