There is no substitute for wisdom

Let's start the year on the right foot with this inspiring TED talk by Barry Schwartz:

"The problem with relying on rules and incentives is that they demoralize professional activity [...] in two senses: First, they demoralize the people who are engaged in the activity [...]. Second, they demoralize the activity itself. The very practice is demoralized and the practitioners are demoralized."

I also have a related post on rules and thoughtlessness, which was also inspired by a talk by Barry Schwartz at TED.

An Inconvenient Renewal: Still Relevant?

"An Inconvenient Renewal: Are Managers Ready to Change the Way They Manage?" is three years old today!

The paper's website has received 4,492 visitors since November 5, 2007 (an imperfect measure, I acknowledge), not counting those who came across the document in some other fashion. That's about 2% of the federal public service.

But is the topic still relevant? I would like to hear your thoughts...

The Rat Pack is back!

Hello loyal readers!

I know, I know. I have been a very bad b...logger! ;-)

After a hiatus of over a year, and much hesitation, I will soon be resuming my speaking and blogging activities. I probably wouldn't be doing it if it wasn't for the fact that I was recently invited to be on a panel with my two fellow "rat packers", David Eaves and Nick Charney.

Come join us on October 8, 2010! (see poster below).