When you see the media and the public comparing President Obama’s handling of the Gulf oil spill to President Bush’s handling of Hurricane Katrina, you know that Obama’s ratings are under tremendous threat. In fact, one clear argument made on the matter was that the two circumstances are not very different, even though one disaster was natural, and the other one was man-made.
Overall, it seems that Obama is playing offense and defense simultaneously, in an attempt to save his declining ratings. However, I wonder if this response was not too slow in coming, as American’s now want solutions for the worst oil spill in American history.
Tags: Disaster, Obama, Oil
Posted in Economy, Politics, Society | 1 Comment »
Who would have thought that oil would become so abundant that it would impact the very natural resources and livelihoods of the people situated in the Gulf region, negatively.
Overall, the Gulf Oil Spill has certainly rejuvenated the need to keep the environment clean and for businesses to exercise more socially responsibility as it relates to how its activities may affect the environment and the people that live in it. Let this disaster be a lesson for all of us that it is not always about the money, but it is also about conducting businesses in a socially responsible manner for the benefit of all.
Tags: Disaster, Environment, Oil
Posted in Economy, Society | No Comments »
It should be well understood in the 21st century that organisations are not created to remain stagnant. As long as the world changes, the people and the organisations within it must also change and should be absolutely embracing of the change that must take place.
To be more specific, organisational change is defined as the adoption of a new idea or behavior by an organisation. These organisations are designed to respond to the environment through internal change and development.
Overall, we should have all concluded that change is inevitable and it is one area that organisations must be prepared to handle and incorporate within the management and operational areas of their businesses. Change for us should therefore be embraced. Put differently, resisting change would be a form of counter productiveness.
Tags: Change, Organisations
Posted in Economy, Society | No Comments »
It is my strong belief that long gone are the days, where people are praised for doing the right thing. In fact, when you do the right thing sometimes today, you are deemed either stupid and not to be with the times.
Overall, in order for ethical leadership to become a reality, it requires ethical leaders to be in full force. If leaders consider themselves to be ethical, they can ensure that ethical practices are carried out throughout organisation. Indeed, if this can be done, we would see a better society and a better business environment.
Tags: Business, Ethics, Leadership
Posted in Economy, Society | 26 Comments »
In today’s fast-paced working environment, there is a desperate need for intelligence to be exercised, which will guide institutional effectiveness and development within the business community. However, we must not only be intelligent in our specialised fields of study, but we must also exercise emotional intelligence; a new concept that affects corporate culture.
Overall, there have been numerous perspectives on this increasingly needed discipline across the globe. However, for me it really is about common sense. In short, qualifications are not the only things needed by people, as they travel along their developmental path to success. In other words, if we really want to become effective leaders, we must be able to exercise the right approach in varying situations, with regards to our own emotions, the emotions of our colleagues and finally, the emotions of our subordinates, within our workplaces.
Tags: Corporate Culture, Organisational Behaviour
Posted in Society | No Comments »
On 6 May, 2010, an extraordinary situation developed following the United Kingdom (UK) 2010 Elections. Precisely one day after this historical event, the country was left to ask the question, “Who would lead the country as Prime Minister?”, since Gordon Brown’s Labour Party was defeated at the polls, but David Cameron’s Conservative Party still did not reach the 326 seats needed to form a majority government. What made matters worse, was that many voters were turned away from the polling stations on election night and ultimately were not afforded the opportunity to exercise their democratic right.
Overall, if anyone asked me if this could happen to Britain in the 21st century, my answer to them would have been a resounding “No Way”. The reason for such a response would have been because the UK is a first world nation and it is supposed to get these democratic processes right. Going forward for the UK, whatever the outcome, there is definite need for reform at the parliamentary level and certainly the voting process must become more updated.
Tags: British Politics
Posted in Politics | No Comments »
On 22 April 2010, US President Barack Obama argued for more government regulation of big banks. In a speech to financial leaders he said it was in the interests of bankers to have fresh regulation, and that failing to “learn the lessons” of the financial crisis could lead to such cataclysmic events happening again.
Arising out of these historic statements, two questions come to mind that must be asked in light of all that has happened with the financial crisis and of what this new legislation will entirely mean for all stakeholders. The questions are: (1) What are the changes that the President wants to see in the financial system going forward? and (2) What are the chances of these changes actually happening?
Tags: Finance, Regulation
Posted in Economy | No Comments »
As our economies become more globalised, one thing remains true; that our workforces are becoming more and more diversified. This diversification in some instances poses a challenge for managers, as they have to find new ways to manage and direct their employees.
Overall, organisations are very much encouraged to embrace diversity as it can add value to the workplace. Within small economies however, valuing diversity can be a very slow process, especially if the national policies of the country are not in support of it.
Tags: Diversity, Economy
Posted in Economy, Uncategorized | No Comments »
In 2007/2008, we should all recall the food crisis that affected the entire globe. Not surprisingly, after experiencing so many earthquakes and natural disasters within the last five to ten years, this situation is expected to become even more challenging, as populations across the world try to obtain the much needed nutrients for their survival. However, the world must not only worry about food; they must now also worry about water.
Overall, water is a necessity that we as humans must have on a daily basis. We cannot turn a blind eye to the fact that we obviously have some situation developing with regards to the availability and condition of this resource. The real question remains though, “Are we prepared to settle our differences and address the real crisis at hand?”
Tags: Society, Water
Posted in Society, Uncategorized | No Comments »
In times like these, where there is so much uncertainty in this world, there are many vacancies available to be filled by visionary leaders. Visionary leaders present a challenge that calls forth the best in people and brings them together around a shared sense of purpose. They work with the power of intentionality and alignment with a higher purpose.
I start off by asking these two questions:
“Are you someone with a vision burning inside that seeks to manifest?
“Do you see yourself as a visionary?”
Tags: Visionary Leadership
Posted in Society | No Comments »