Are you at War or are you at Peace?

Read time: approx. 2 mins and 8 seconds, ish.

The conflict in Ukraine recently passed its three-month anniversary. I find it astonishing that Ukraine has proven to be so resilient in such extreme and brutal circumstances. My thoughts are with those directly affected by this terrible conflict.

In business, momentum is everything. I suspect momentum is equally important in war.

Context is a powerful thing.?It is hard to imagine a context more affecting and impactful than war.

Extreme circumstances enable people to do remarkable things.

In Neuro Linguistic Programming (#NLP) there is a thought that the use of war references and battle metaphors in business are inappropriate. Old expressions like: “Man the trenches”; “Last man standing”; “Pull the pin”; “Land-grab”; “Gone nuclear” no longer belong in the office and are no-longer appropriate to the sensitivities of a compassionate workforce.

That may be so. But increasingly, my perspective is focused on driving transformational change, and the absolute urgency that those changes are required. Whether that is to arrest the global issue of an ageing society; or climate change. Whether it is the explosion [sorry] of diabetes; or obesity; or the systemic need to overhaul the connectivity infrastructure on which we now depend.

New technology represents an exciting opportunity for progress. But what I know is,?innovation and transformative change are hard. Brutally so.

In my experience,?the successful pursuit of innovation requires a warlike attitude in order to win.

Like war, innovation creates economy – but without all the collateral damage and loss of life. Innovation has the potential to create jobs?and?reduce costs.

Through the technological and scientific innovation that I see via my work, we are tantalisingly close to real breakthroughs in game-changing tech that have the potential to enrich our lives.

To bring that to life with some real-world practical examples from the frontline of innovation, three ventures that are driving a positive transformational impact in the world of?occupational health:

www.howz.com

www.celsiushealth.com

www.gripable.co

These ventures are pioneering digital technology that doesn’t make occupational health experts redundant, quite the opposite, this tech helps clinicians to become bionic and has the potential to transform patient outcomes too.

I believe that is worth?fighting?for. That’s why I am so proud to have invested in all three of these remarkable companies.

I am passionate about the mass-adoption of new technology that helps people and business to flourish.?What I know is, it is difficult.

The sad truth is transformational change rarely happens through passive intervention. The greater the need, and/or the more urgent the need, the more it needs to be fought for. The correlation is direct.

Perhaps that’s why people that have the courage to innovate want to know that their colleagues:

• “Are in the arena with them”
• “Are by your side”
• “Have got your back”
• “Will help you to deliver your Best Shot”

Fighting talk indeed.

Combat experience can leave indelible marks. That’s why care and compassion are so important, especially so in the workplace. Prior experience from previous tours of duty can be invaluable in reducing casualties and accelerating progress. But sadly, sometimes that value-add gets lost in translation, miscommunication, cultural-misalignment, and misperception. It is important to acknowledge that the authentic intent of veterans is for you to avoid stepping on landmines sometimes only visible to their hardened eyes.

If we are to conquer the globally significant challenges that humanity now faces, we need to collaborate; we need to unite; we need to?entrepreneur like our lives depend on it.

Entrepreneurs are activists.

Rise-up activists, your world needs you.