The ‘New Normal’ and the ‘Radical Shift’ – what are they?
The organizational models and economic theory of the 20th Century have led to crisis. The book New Normal, Radical Shift, co-authored by Neela Bettridge and Philip Whiteley, published by Gower in April 2013, charts an optimistic but practical programme of reform. The ‘New Normal’ is the recognition that the emphasis upon short-term returns and measurement by accountancy or GDP growth is unsustainable. The ‘Radical Shift’ is the new philosophy that shows how to combine sustainability with business success, and the very different politics that flow from this approach. For more information, and to buy the book at a discount, directly from the publisher, click on this link: http://www.gowerpublishing.com/isbn/9781409455745
Radical Shift 
Some very interesting and insightful thoughts. I absolutely agree that, as you say, the best leaders understand that an organisation is not an entity but a set of relationships. We do however need a far greater cohort of these ‘best leaders’ if we in Europe are not to become the unskilled labour force of the new superpowers over the next 50 years. I still see far too much management by data and performance being driven by individual and small team targets – often in conflict or competition with the targets of other teams that should be allies, collaborators and supporters. To that end, I’d add ‘the demise of hierarchy’ (or at least of compartmentalisation) to my version of ‘the new normal’- but that may be wishful thinking on my part! Unless leaders can recognise (and behave accordingly) that people are the source of all performance, then I fear we are doomed to repeat the cyclic boom-bust-centralise-decentralise-push-pull-in-out-shake-it-all-about nonsense of the last 30 years on some hideous loop. Not an inspiring thought.
I look forward to the book with interest. Good luck with it.
Nigel Girling
Chief Executive of The National Centre for Strategic Leadership
Thughot it wouldn’t to give it a shot. I was right.
Interesting comments especially on The demise of hierarchy. I also liked the concept of thinking of an organisation as a set of relationships. It is importsnt to move away from time wasting ego driven competition. The most innovative ideas spring from collaboration in a space beyond fight of flight. Thanks for the food for thought. I look forward to the book.
What a neat atrilce. I had no inkling.
A good few years ago one of South Africa’s iconic entrepreneurs, the late Dr Anton Rupert, made the statement: “Versatility in management requires more than knowledge alone. It involves a broader humanity”. This is a quote my company aligns with every day and hopefully it will become a lodestar philosophy for other companies around the world – becoming a “New Normal”. Wishing you everything of the best with the book launch!
Carole Knight
CE – White Rock Leadership Dynamics and author of “Miracles of Hope: Surviving and Thriving in the 21st Century”
I am ttolaly wowed and prepared to take the next step now.
Delighted to hear of this new book and the wider project. Very timely. And it sounds like we are thinking similar thoughts although my focus is more on the investment system and how to get it to want to invest sustainably.
I’m using the example of BP/Gulf of Mexico rather than financial crisis because you cant blame the Chinese for the spill! And also because it shows that current thinking and practice about CR/sustainbility/ESG investing are seriously limited. It seems to me that have confused what we’ve done to-date (very useful, partially successful learning experiments) with real systemic change: http://www.corporateknights.ca/author/raj-thamotheram-maxime-lefloch
If you or readers have examples of other past “Preventable Surprises” that they know about or future ones they are really motivated to do something about, working very much in the way you outline, please do get in touch. You can see more at my plans at: http://www.top1000funds.com/tag/raj-thamotheram/
Good luck!
Raj
I could watch Schindler’s List and still be happy after redanig this.
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