Gave a Keynote in Cyprus, after the Minster gave a rather sobering speech about how Cyprus went bankrupt in 2013. The treasury was as empty as a robbed tomb and its three core banks collapsed in a greedy borrowing spree. It took a decade to recover but Digital Transformation, he reminded us, along with climate change and nearby wars, was one of their new challenges.
I responded by saying the Digital Challenge just got more difficult as it is now led by AI. The European tech industry and organisations are being eclipsed by the US and the political response has been a flag-waving bucket of regulation. On top of this the EU has allowed most of the US Tech giants to evade tax by holing themselves up in tax havens like Ireland, stealing other countries’ tax revenues. Ignore AI and you have no Digital Transformation strategy as you become less productive and competitive in almost every vertical.
My talk focussed on recent announcements, real examples, things you can do now, fact that ChatGPT4 will soon be free, productivity research, using AI for recruitment, as a tutor and the need for top down as well as bottom up activity. They had asked for a 'wake-up call' talk. That was my aim.
Strategic implementation
Sripada Vittala, from Dubai, followed with a great talk in the implementation of AI projects. We had a great chat the next day and seemed to agree on everything, as we have both been through real projects and real implementation issues.
He gave a great case study on how AI had dramatically impacted productivity, recruitment and retention in huge construction company. Trading notes was useful as we’ve been through several AI transformation projects and some common themes emerged. We both had the same experience in dealing with large companies. The need for a precise and structured workshop, where the participants DO things, then a vision identifying and prioritising use cases, pushing through beyond prototypes. Turns out our processes were near identical.
Toxic leadership
The second half, after lunch, focussed on other topics. Leadership, the topic of one talk, I think, is exaggerated and often badly implemented in workplace training. Neither am I convinced that slotting ‘Leaders’ into the toxic categories of Psychopaths, Sociopaths and Narcissists is right. Most bad management is much more mundane, to do with over-zealous drive to get things done, a sense of self-importance and, commonly, a lack of competence. We have seen this with Paula Vennels and the Post Office crew, including HR, along with their supplier Fujitsu, their PR folk and their Lawyers. We saw this at The Royal Bank of Scotland, the case discussed. They were a client of mine and the managers got away with truly toxic and incompetent behaviour but none were punished and the organisation was bailed out. That’s why Cyprus’s banks collapsed five years later – there was no effective regulation and punishment – still true today.
Wellbeing
As for wellbeing, another talk, the evidence suggests that most workplace initiatives have little or no actual impact. I do feel that this constant focus on mental health is now a problem in itself. That is not to say it is not a problem, just that over-reflection on feelings, anxiety and mental health may not be the solution – it may make things worse. Denying that there are risks to therapy and interventions is a mistake, especially in your people with social anxiety. Thinking and talking about your problems all the time may not be good for you. CBT therapy confirms this, you need to break the spiral of negativity, not rise on its thermals. Being sad is not depression. A little anxiety isn’t always a bad thing. Being nervous is natural. You will get hurt emotionally. Getting hurt is not always trauma. Let’s focus on those with real chronic problems, not imaginary, self-perpetuated feelings that are often normal.
Conclusion
I'm not too sure why HR has got so obsessed by negativity and deficit thinking. I find that all a bit depressing! Nevertheless, this was a well-organised conference, short and sharp. The organisers were really efficient and hospitable. Sure there was a mix of speakers and topics, and we don’t have to agree with everyone, that’s good. The point is to make one think.
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