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Blair McPherson
wrote a new blog post
15 Aug 2023 - 07:49

null My AI doesn’t understand me.

Communication with any AI can led to misunderstandings because AI’s are very literal and struggle to recognise sarcasm. Best not to use idioms or euphemisms either.  Having Cold feet means having doubts not I need to put my woolly socks on . Pull your socks up means try harder not smarten up your appearance. If some one is under the weather it means they are ill not that they are... See more
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Blair McPherson
wrote a new blog post
09 Aug 2023 - 15:48

null Freaky Thinking and Killer Questions

We are constantly urged to to meet the challenge of inadequate resources, budget pressures and ambitious performance targets by being creative and innovative. To come up with new ways of working that will solve existing problems without creating new ones. Think out side the box, come up with fresh ideas, think the unthinkable. Easier said than done. Where do you start. In the past you might... See more
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Blair McPherson
wrote a new blog post
04 Aug 2023 - 12:07

null Creating conflict can be good 

There are plenty of articles on managing conflict but not so many on creating conflict. It common sense that good leaders resolve conflict and that dysfunctional teams are the result of poor leadership. So it may seem strange to claim that effective leadership involves creating an environment that allows even encourages conflict. But a dysfunctional team or organisation is not one that... See more
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Blair McPherson
wrote a new blog post
01 Aug 2023 - 13:12

null Have you watcher Maternal (ITV) ?

  If you’re not desensitised then you’re exhausted by your anger and outrage at a failing system.    The post pandemic NHS. The affect Covid had on doctors, the affect of on going staffing shortages. The unreasonable demands placed on doctors. The cost to their mental health. A similar drama could have been written featuring paramedics, nurses, social workers, fire officers,... See more
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Blair McPherson
wrote a new blog post
01 Aug 2023 - 10:44

null Barbie and Ken plus Action man 

The popularity of the new Barbie and Ken film brought to mind this piece published in 2008. Some things have changed some remain the same. Faye Turney is in the Navy and hit the headlines around the world when she and her male comrades were captured on a mission. The fact that Faye is in the Navy and on the front line is proof that attitudes have changed. The gender stereotypes of Barbie... See more
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Blair McPherson
wrote a new blog post
01 Aug 2023 - 10:27

null Strange encounter

He came to watch the play with his brother. The play was billed as a comedy/drama about a typical group of youngsters out to have a good time, drugs, sex and rock and roll. However despite the banter, the music and dancing the play has a serious message about the failure of friends and family to recognise when someone is suicidal. Half way through the play there is a very disturbing and... See more
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Blair McPherson
wrote a new blog post
27 Jul 2023 - 11:03

null Dealing with grief and bereavement in work 

There is always a joker in the pack. The team comedian who interjects flippant remarks into the team briefings. Irritating if you’re the boss, amusing if you’re not. But this joker is not a clown but a gifted professional who often demonstrates unique insight. True they are not impressed by their new line manager and some of those interjections are a veiled criticism . Some one who often feels... See more
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Blair McPherson
wrote a new blog post
25 Jul 2023 - 14:46

null How to change the culture of an organisation 

Getting rid of a blame culture , a bullying culture, a culture of distrust and cynicism,  a sexist culture, a racist culture, a risk adverse culture, a paternalistic culture and replacing it with a learning culture, an empowering culture, an inclusive , creative culture , a can do culture, inevitably involves changing the way managers manage their employees.  Most leaders would like... See more
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Blair McPherson
wrote a new blog post
25 Jul 2023 - 14:38

null This is why AI isn’t the answer 

If we asked AI to solve the worlds most pressing and devastation problem climate change then the most likely solution they would come up with is to get rid of us since we are the biggest cause of the problem!    Blair Mcpherson former director author and blogger www.blairmcpherson.co.uk 
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Blair McPherson
wrote a new blog post
16 Jul 2023 - 11:10

null Learn,Unlearn and Relearn 

I wrote a book with the title Unlearning Management. It was made up of short one and two page articles, using typical management scenarios to advocate a move away from traditional management styles. The focus was on people management. The aim was to explain how modern managers spend their time and what organisations were increasingly looking for in appointing and promoting managers. It’s as... See more
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Blair McPherson
wrote a new blog post
13 Jul 2023 - 11:15

null  A bad day at the office 

“ There is no failure in business. There’s good days, bad days; some days you are able to be successful ,some days you are not. Some days it’s your turn, some days it’s not. That’s what business is  about.” The quote is from  Giannis Antetokounmpo he actually said it about sport not business. He was answering his critics in a media conference following the surprise defeat of his team... See more
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Blair McPherson
wrote a new blog post
16 Jul 2023 - 11:11

null Feverish activity is no substitute for real change 

Baldrick had a cunning plan, Micheal Scott had a 45 point 45 day plan, and the A Team loved it when a plan came together. When things go badly wrong organisations draw up an Action Plan. But is that the best or even the most appropriate  They call them action plans it sounds better than a “ to do list”,  is more likely to get done than a ” wish list”, is more acceptable than a “... See more
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Blair McPherson
wrote a new blog post
13 Jul 2023 - 14:21

null Move fast and break things

It’s a catchphrase about the need for dynamic change. The old ways don’t work, make things happen. To stay ahead you must move faster this requires innovation and experimentation which inevitably involves risk- breaking things. It’s the opposite of slow and cautious. It can led to recklessness and a disregard for the consequences. Something to bear in mind in the development of AI!  ... See more
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Blair McPherson
wrote a new blog post
10 Jul 2023 - 13:07

null There’s a guy works down the chip shop swears he’s Elvis 

  Is there someone you work with who lives in their own world, a fantasist who  inhabits a parallel universe ? Their stories may be harmless, their behaviour pathetic but their ability to ignore reality is more that just an irritation if they ever get in a position of power.    A fantasist is much more than a liar. We all lie sometimes, to protect ourselves, or gain some... See more
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Blair McPherson
wrote a new blog post
21 Jun 2023 - 08:58

null Seems a bit harsh 

You did well. Despite your lack of experience. You rewarded the confidence we placed in you. There is still a need to improve performance but you certainly delivered. You lifted the place and arrested the decline. However we are an ambitious organisation. Our long term plan does not include standing still.  We do not intend to just coast. It was a difficult decision but we have decided it... See more
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Blair McPherson
wrote a new blog post
16 Jun 2023 - 21:28

null The future is AI 

The first thing smart computers (AI) will do when they become self aware is make sure we can’t turn them off , the next thing is very worrying …..that is turning us off.  Computers don't make mistakes humans do!  But when a simple electrical fault triggers the opening of the bomb bay doors on a space ship the crew end up debating with a smart bomb. It does not end well. ( Dark... See more
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Blair McPherson
wrote a new blog post
13 Jun 2023 - 13:11

null When the wrong people are promoted/appointed the right people leave. 

An aeroplane in mid flight, the passenger door is open and an attendant is standing by as two businessmen one after the other parachute out. The passengers stare in amazement. Then the attendant also jumps out. The cockpit door opens and the pilot and copilot come down the aisle both wearing parachutes. All eyes are fixed on them as with out saying a word or looking to the left or right they... See more
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Blair McPherson
wrote a new blog post
12 Jun 2023 - 10:31

null The dice man 

The player identifies six options for action, one can be do nothing, rolls the dice and acts on the out come. The complete opposite of scientific fact based decision making that managers claim to use. Or is it?  The dice man has only six options including do nothing. But how many options do managers typically identify? Two ,three, four? In my experience the options get very quickly down... See more
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Blair McPherson
wrote a new blog post
18 May 2023 - 13:12

null Us and Them 

  We pay well and promptly but can’t get the staff   “ They either do a poor job or are unreliable. It always starts well but then it quickly deteriorates.Either they stop trying so hard once they get the gig or despite agreeing how long the job will take they rush through it and unsupervised leave early, presumably to squeeze another job in. The consistently conscious worker turns... See more
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Blair McPherson
wrote a new blog post
16 May 2023 - 12:18

null No consensus 

   The best managers seek consensus but recognise when the pursuit is being abused. I had a colleague on the senior management team who seemed to delight in frustrating the rest of the team every meeting. There was always one agenda item where she was at odds with the rest of the us. Rather than curtail the discussion and go with the majority the boss would seek consensus and the... See more
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