Rooted Leadership: What Business Can Learn from the Natural World The modern business landscape pushes for relentless acceleration, propelled by an undercurrent of continuous innovation, rapid scaling, and an 'always-on' operational mindset. Leaders are under pressure to deliver continuous growth and chase new milestones which often inadvertently cultivate a "hustle" culture. However, this pursuit of acceleration exacts a heavy toll: employee burnout, resource depletion, and a struggle for sustained relevance. We have collectively fallen for the myth of endless productivity, believing that the more efficient our processes, the more work we can (and should) undertake. This mindset traps us in a loop of constant doing, neglecting the essential value of pause, renewal, and strategic timing. In contrast, the natural world…
How to Prepare For Feedback Conversations In our previous article, we explored the power of self-awareness. This week, we dive into the art of navigating tough conversations and exchanging feedback with clarity and care. Giving and receiving feedback are deeply intertwined with self-awareness and emotional intelligence in the workplace. Before stepping into any feedback conversation, preparation rooted in self-awareness is essential. Understanding our own emotions, triggers, and behavioral patterns helps us approach feedback calmly and confidently. Self-aware leaders consider the recipient’s emotional state, while emotionally intelligent individuals manage their reactions, viewing feedback as an opportunity for growth rather than criticism. More importantly, when feedback is exchanged within a culture of trust, it fosters constructive dialogue, vulnerability, and mutual respect, thereby…
The Business Doctor Who Brings Companies Back to Life Walter Simson’s career didn’t begin with corporate rescues. He was once a banker at Chase Manhattan Bank, now part of JPMorgan Chase, with a clear trajectory in finance. But a family emergency shifted his course, a call from his father, who owned a commercial printing business in New York and was battling serious vision issues. Walter took a temporary leave to assist, expecting it to last three months. It stretched into three years and set him on a new, unplanned path. “You can't be a turnaround manager until you've done a turnaround,” Walter reflects. That first experience became his unexpected gateway into a career he has now pursued for over four…
E-Invoicing is at a Turning Point: Europe’s Digital VAT Future Following our earlier look at Singapore’s InvoiceNow initiative and its push for nationwide e-invoicing adoption, we now shift our focus to European Union (EU) where momentum is building under a distinct regulatory and tax environment. Across Europe, e-invoicing is quickly becoming the norm. With the European Commission’s VAT in the Digital Age (ViDA) initiative driving major regulatory changes, the region is taking major steps toward full digital VAT compliance. Across the EU, e-invoicing is reshaping how businesses manage their financial operations. Built for accuracy and speed, electronic invoices are processed far more efficiently than traditional methods. As ViDA is accelerating the shift to e-invoicing as a regulatory standard, business leaders…
The Crucial Role of Empathy In our ongoing exploration of Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace, where we covered self-awareness and mastering feedback. Now, it's time to examine the skill that transforms insight into strategy: empathy in decision-making. Empathy is a skill that combines perspective-taking with emotional attunement, which enables compassion and cooperation. Empathy plays a dual role in effective leadership. It forms the foundation of trust-based relationships that sustain healthy, high-performing teams, strengthening both well-being and productivity. At the same time, empathy enhances the quality and integrity of decision-making. When leaders take the time to understand others’ emotions and viewpoints, they reduce the risk of narrow or self-serving choices. This broader, human-centered perspective allows decision-makers to anticipate needs, balance diverse…