"There's Got to Be a Better Way!"
Starting in January 2025, Paul will begin the process of writing “The Better Way: Enlightened Enterprise” with the aim of kick-starting The Better Way movement.
About The Book
“The system is broken” and “there’s got to be a better way” are common phrases. No sector or industry is immune to these criticisms. And most managers agree.
The recent focus on adaptability, agility, and resilience has not solved the problem. Change and transformation programmes are frequent but results often disappoint. Why? Because transcending the limitations of existing systems, would often be more appropriate.
Most directors and executives are trained and incentivised to optimise ‘business-as-usual’. Few can manage change. Fewer can lead transformations. Fewer still know how to transcend an outdated model for a new one. They have only been trained to cope with “tame” problems. They need a very different mindset, better methods, and new tools.
The Better Way aims to help managers become leaders, capable of thriving despite 21st century pressures and risks. In addition to managing performance, efficiency, and cost control, enlightened leaders embrace “wicked problems”- highly complex interrelated problems for which there is no single solution.
Enlightened enterprises need managers, plus enlightened leaders with the mindset and skillset of pioneers. The leaders must always know what about the organisation must be managed, what must be changed, what must be transformed, and what needs to be transcended.
The Better Way begins by making readers conscious of the origins of management theories and practices. It will then be obvious to readers that many are outdated. Readers will also appreciate why The Better Way, enlightened enterprise, is needed.
The aim of the book is to establish The Better Way movement of enlightened enterprise pioneers, the people the Enlightened Enterprise Academy exists to support. The academy believes there are such people at all levels in every business or organisation. They know “there’s got to be a better way” and they want to help discover it. They will help humanity make the leaps of progress we need, just as the pioneers of the first Enlightenment and Industrial Revelation did centuries ago. Today’s pioneers will help bring about a New Enlightenment, to address our 21st century challenges and realise today’s opportunities.
An Invitation
To facilitate the creation of the book over the next year or so, Paul has published a separate Substack publication and he invites you to be part of the process as either a member of the Enlightened Enterprise Academy, or by taking a separate paid subscription for $8 per month or $80 per year.
Thought the year Paul will host live online dialogues to which EEA Members and subscribers will be invited. They will explore the topics in each chapter.
For a long time now, Paul has been running online dialogues - curating them as part of learning programmes, and as series on specific themes to generate and share insights.
The dialogues related to the books will be based on a tried and tested formula that works. It involves guests in conversations designed to stimulate further thinking, followed by interactive dialogues with participances. All will be recorded for those who want to catch-up on any they missed, or to re-watch.
Each dialogue will help inform Paul’s thinking for the book, to refine the ideas and ensure messages ‘land’ with people. This will make the book a better product, when everything is brought together and edited.
Members and subscribers will receive a copy of the book when it is published.
Workshops & Retreats
Related to the book, Paul will be offering workshops and retreats. Members and subscribers will be offered places at free or discounted rates.
A Conference
As we approach the publication of the book, the date of a conference will be announced. It will aim to brin together the expert contributors to reflect on each others contributions and the book as the book is launched.
The conference will be an offline event that is also livestreamed.
Members and subscribers will be offered places at free or discounted rates.
Book Launch Events
We will run a programme of book launch events internationally. Some of the events will also be recorded and / or livestreamed.
Again, members and subscribers will be offered places at free or discounted rates.