Quite often, teams can unwittingly fall into a state of “tech hypernormality,” a condition where the team operates in a seemingly stable environment despite underlying issues and the need for innovation. Much like the societal dynamics of hypernormalisation explored by Alexei Yurchak, tech hypernormality in a team setting occurs when the status quo is maintained,...
In the vast expanse of technology leadership, challenges often arise that mirror the infamous Kobayashi Maru scenario from Star Trek—a test designed to assess the resilience and creativity of Starfleet officers in the face of a no-win situation. Similarly, Chief Technology Officers (CTOs) find themselves navigating their own versions of the Kobayashi Maru, where tight...
After a recent optimisation workshop with one of our business units I realised that propinquity theory takes center stage as a guiding principle that can significantly impact organizational dynamics. If you are a CTO, understanding and strategically leveraging propinquity can lead to transformative improvements in people, processes, and products within the company. What is Propinquity...
The Great Library of Alexandria is often seen as a tragic loss in history. But what if we view its destruction as an early form of cyber warfare? Looking back, the library was a hub of ancient knowledge, storing scrolls from various civilizations. Instead of chalking up its demise to accidents or conflicts, consider the...
In the realm of technological leadership, picture the CTO as a maestro, drawing inspiration from the unparalleled jazz saxophonist, John Coltrane. The innovative improvisation characteristic of this maverick jazz genius offers an intriguing analogy. Coltrane, a luminary in the world of avant-garde jazz, was renowned for pushing the boundaries of traditional jazz norms. Similarly, a...
In the annals of Greek mythology, Cassandra was renowned for her gift of prophecy, a blessing that often came intertwined with a curse—her prophecies were never believed. Her tragic story finds an unexpected resonance in the world of modern business continuity planning (BCP) and disaster recovery (DR). The lessons we can draw from Cassandra’s experience...
In her 1994 essay, “Pandora’s Vox: On Community in Cyberspace,” Carmel Hermosillo astutely observes that the advent of computer networks and the digital age has not necessarily resulted in a reduction of hierarchy or the democratization of information. Instead, she sheds light on how these technological advances have led to the commodification of personal identity...
How your home router might be the backdoor in to your corporate network. Beware of the bear! As the world becomes increasingly connected, the line between personal and professional technology is becoming blurrier than ever. Many of us are now working from home, and that means our personal devices are being used for business purposes...
The Art of Inheritance – Get It Wrong and You’ve Lost Before You’ve Even Started When you join a new organisation or you are promoted to a leadership position you will often inherit a team that is already in place. They will certainly have far more experience of the nuances and intricacies of the organisation...
How to do Tech with heart Sometimes it’s good to reflect on some of the good things you’ve done, the lives you’ve touched, and why we work in the technology space. I’m happy to share a recent podcast episode I was interviewed for, hosted by Zoe Griffiths, the CEO of Alchemy of Learning, to deep...
