Black Box Thinking - why we need it from our leaders

It's been a funny old week since the dreaded EU referendum result, I'm actually finding myself drawn to Alastair Campbell! You know one of those weeks where your phone breaks and it all gets a bit much. I suddenly felt a lot of frustration and anger, which wasn't about my phone. Although Apple Tech Help you really should be more aware (or honest) about the software issues when you upgrade from an iphone 5 to an iphone 6, locking you out your phone!

I'm not going to get all political...I did a social enterprise leadership programme so I think you can guess which way I roll.

My anger comes from leaders self interest (you know who I mean), it's unfortunately the way we're all psychologically programmed I guess, the famous Machiavellian  politics creeps back in.  

There can be a different form of leadership though. I'm half way through Matthew Syed's 'Black Box Thinking' (thanks for the book recommendation Lucian Smithers) and it's a must read for anyone interested in leadership and high performance - looking beyond our ego, the obvious, learning from failure, encouraging open loops (not closed teams).

Sydney Finkelstein, is a management professor at Dartmouth College, and investigated major failures at over fifty corporate institutions in his book 'Why Smart Executives Fail: And What You Can Learn From Their Mistakes'. He found that error-denial increases as you go up the pecking order. 

It is those at the top of the business who are responsible for strategy and therefore have the most to lose if things go wrong. They are far more likely to cling to the idea that the strategy is wise, even if it's falling apart, and to reframe evidence that says otherwise. Blinded by dissonance, they are also the least likely to learn the lessons.'

When I did On Purpose in 2013-2014 it was the most challenging year of my life! I had some incredible support around me though, and still do. It taught me a lot about myself, what my strengths are and the leadership style I can bring or want to bring. Leadership beyond ego. 

I believe in collaboration, being curious (continually), keeping an open mind, using facts to build a rational argument (not self interest), using agile principles for delivering projects (but you still need a plan and strong team work), treating people with respect (no matter who they are). 

So that's my little manifesto I'll hold myself to. What are key for you?

I'm secretly hoping a miracle might happen and Parliament might overrule the referendum outcome. If Jeremy Corbyn's leadership can get challenged after a democratic vote, why can't the referendum result? Maybe this is all a clever manoeuvre by Labour. If this doesn't happen I hope Britain can at least look at the failures and learn from them.