Steering Point Articles
The Importance of Inquiry: An Introduction to the Socratic Method
“Throughout history, our innate curiosity has been the heartbeat of progress, driving us from basic questions about nature, like “Why does it rain?” to profound existential inquiries, such as “Do we have free will?”. In today’s fast-paced world, the art of asking questions feels somewhat overshadowed by the avalanche of information available. Yet, recognising what we don’t know often serves as the true essence of wisdom.”
Is Working From Home Still the Future?
“Three years on from the pandemic that made WFH models ubiquitous, the practice’s status is oddly divisive. CEOs malign it. Workers love it. Like most statements around WFH, that analysis is over simplistic. So what’s the actual truth: is WFH good, bad or somewhere in between?”
The Courage to be Disliked
“When interacting with someone you deem above you on the hierarchical scale, you will automatically adjust your goalposts to be in line with their perceptions rather than defining success or failure on your own terms. As long as you are playing in their lane, you will always fall short. “When one is trying to be oneself, competition will inevitably get in the way.”
Unpacking the Meaning of Work
“Navigating the journey of life requires continual adjustments to our perceptions of success and meaning. While our careers and professional achievements are significant, true fulfilment goes beyond these confines. It’s woven into our human experiences, the bonds we nurture, the challenges we face, and the joys we hold dear.”
From Oracles to Algorithms: A Golden Age of Prediction
“Even though the settings have changed—with glass skyscrapers replacing ancient temples—our innate desire to predict the future remains unwavering. We’ve shifted from seeking guidance from oracles to heeding the insights of modern-day experts: economists, scientists, and statisticians. The unpredictable nuances of geopolitics and the intricate web of global economies underscore the challenges of forecasting.”
High Standards and Low Expectations: a Blueprint for Wellbeing
“Fundamentally, standards are often seen as the internal benchmarks or criteria we set for ourselves, encompassing our definitions of quality, competence, or excellence. They are self-generated and typically align with our values, aspirations, and sense of identity. On the other hand, expectations represent our forecasts or assumptions about future events or outcomes.”
How Much Should You be Working?
“Digital tools have made it possible to work from pretty much anywhere, at pretty much any time. This was supposed to usher in a new age of liberation: the worker, no longer constrained by their office environment or nine-to-five schedule, is now free to live the life they always wanted. In reality, it has just meant the expectation of swift email correspondence has extended its lebensraum to the realms of evenings, weekends and even holidays. That edenic notion of freetime signed off its suicide note with a customary “sent from my iPhone” footer.”
Grasping the Unexpected: the Unforeseen Opportunities in Everyday Life
In a serendipitous twist of fate, The Rolling Stone’s first encounter at Chess Studios was not with a studio executive or an eager intern but Muddy Waters himself. But he was not wielding a guitar; he was clad in overalls, perched on a ladder, paintbrush in hand, and whitewash streaming down his face. The Stones were startled, and in the confusion, an opportunity emerged, laying bare the perfect juxtaposition of the seemingly mundane and its grand potential.
Coaching: Not Just for the Executive Suite
“Coaching has long been viewed as a premium service, frequently offered only to the upper echelons of organisations, the C-suite executives. The potential benefits of coaching in enhancing leadership skills, strategic thinking, and overall effectiveness are well-documented. However, current research also underscores its broader utility across all tiers of an organisation, promoting it as an indispensable instrument for comprehensive personal and professional development.”
Overcoming News Fatigue
“As noted in the Athens Journal of Mass Media and Communications, “research has confirmed the mental health impact of news consumption. One study found heightened anxiety, even sadness, in people who watched negative news-related material, such as bulletins, after only minutes”. For citizens who want to remain engaged, then, there exists a quandary: do you sacrifice your own well-being out of a sense of civic duty, or do you cut down on your consumption, willfully opting for the bliss of ignorance?”
You’re Not Perfect, So Stop Trying To Be
“It becomes an endless loop. Perfectionism brings a person dissatisfaction – maybe even depression or suicidal ideation – so they go to a therapist to fix the problem. They want to get rid of the depression, they say, but they don’t want to lose the perfectionism that contributes to it as they believe it offers them something essential. It’s like going to a personal trainer and demanding they help you lose weight while telling them you have no intention of cutting the daily fast food, sugary drinks and excessive alcohol from your diet. Something’s gotta give.”
The Power of Team Clusters: A People-Centric Approach to Innovation
“Based on principles of organisational psychology, a “team cluster” is a group of people with unique strengths who work together to create an environment that fosters innovation and high performance, according to Sundstrom et al. (2000). This approach differs from the traditional “superstar” model, which relies on one exceptionally talented individual to drive success. Instead, it suggests that a team made up of consistently above-average members is more likely to achieve optimal performance.”