I’m an author and speaker whose “beat” is helping business leaders use science and philosophy - science, to make better strategic decisions, implement change, innovate, change culture, and create workplaces where talent flourishes and philosphy to navigate ethical conundra around AI, privacy, and disinformation. My most recent book, Impact (21st-century change management, behavioral science, digital transformation, and the future of work) is the second in a series called Leading Change in the Digital Age. The book shows a way out of the irony of using "analog" change methods in the 21st century and using old school methods in 21st-century digitally enabled business. My first major book, The Science of Organizational Change has been hailed as “the most important book on change in fifteen years” and the second (2019, paperback) edition is ranked among the top-five in its subject areas. Between book projects, I’m a professional speaker, consultant, and coach - my most recent speaking tour included Microsoft, Google, and Kaiser. My talent consulting and coaching clients include Comcast, BP, Shell, HSBC, and KPMG. In addition, I serve on the board of the Institute for Enterprise Ethics.
The democratization of knowledge production has dissolved all expert authority. Anyone with a keyboard can produce knowledge, and any authority can be challenged for being ideologically, commercially, or politically motivated.
Our future depends on solving this problem. The solution, eloquently suggested by Jefferson, is an educated citizenry. Education in philosophy and science must no longer be for elites (philosophy is very rare in high schools). Philosophy teaches us what knowledge is, what makes a good argument, and which fallacies may trip us up. (It also helps us make sense of ethical dilemmas, and the essential political questions of who decides what, and who decides who decides.) Science should teach us what evidence is and which methods produce reliable inferences from data. Yet today, science is still (mostly) taught as a bunch of facts.
I’m passionate about science and philosophy, and how they can be used in service of human flourishing, well-run businesses, and a better world for all of us. I have 35 years’ experience in business as a consultant with one of the world’s leading professional services firms and founder of Future Considerations, one of the UK’s cutting edge organizations. I sold the business when I moved to the US in 2008 and today I founded, I write 75% of the time, and speak/ consult/ coach/ teach the rest. My first major book is The Science of Organizational Change was published in 2015 and is among the best-sellers on change.