Active Leaders Newsletter: October 2024

Welcome to the October edition of Active Leaders. The theme of this month is effort and payoff. McKinsey has put out a fascinating podcast which touches on the tension between middle managers and the increasing use of AI. Our blog article explores the concept of easier, but not better, and ‘3 steps to go from overwhelmed to efficient’ is our featured microlearning.?

McKinsey: Managing in the era of generative AI

Middle managers are feeling the pressure of AI. How can it empower managers, not replace them? As generative AI handles routine tasks, organizations should focus on giving managers tools to lead effectively in this new landscape. Freeing up their time to do what they do best: coaching and decision-making. Read the full article here?

The Stonecutter

“When nothing seems to help, I go and look at a stonecutter hammering away at his rock, perhaps a hundred times without as much as a crack showing in it. Yet at the hundred and first blow it will split in two, and I know it was not that last blow that did it, but all that had gone before.” Jacob Riis?

TBCo: Easier, but not better??

Reflecting on the Jenny Lawson book, Furiously Happy: A Funny Book About Horrible Things. The stories unravel her journey with depression, marriage, and life in a quirky and funny way. Among the stories is a beautiful anecdote that gave me a phrase that’s been echoing in my head ever since, ‘easier, but not better’. Read the full piece here. ?

Podcast?

Something different this month! I featured on the HRchat podcast by HR Gazette, where i spoke with Bill Banham about how adopting a growth mindset can transform challenging roles into rewarding experiences and why bridging the gap between learning and application is the key to overcoming management failures. Listen to the podcast here.

Microlearning?

In this microlearning, we share how Neil Davies, a manager at Waimea Nurseries, used 3 key strategies—prioritization, an active mindset, and focusing on high-impact tasks—to go from overworked to efficient. Check it out here.?

BBC Earth: Getting Close to Macaques - Bill Bailey's Jungle Hero

One of my favourite comedians Bill Bailey takes a trip to the island of Sulawesi in Indonesia, home to all manner of curious creatures. Perhaps none as strange as the macaques native to the island. Bailey’s comedic nature shines through even in a nature documentary. Check out the full video here.?

Thanks for reading?

If you enjoyed this newsletter, please share it with your friends and colleagues. You can also follow our CEO Ryan on LinkedIn, where he posts this newsletter as well as other insightful pieces in the thought leadership space:??

Until next month,?

Dr Mike?

Founder, The Breakthrough Co?