Walking the Talk Blog

On Friday 5 August, over 3 billion people around the world had their eyes locked on Rio de Janeiro to watch the Olympics Opening Ceremony. There is no doubt about it - it was a beautiful spectacle. Headlines throughout the world the following day congratulated Brazil for a truly amazing show. As the Washington Post said, “Rio was basking in what it does best. This is a country expert in revelry, which every years fills its streets with dancing, stranger-kissing, inebriated glee at Carnival.”

The recent political events in the UK have reminded me of a saying that I often use; ‘the only thing we can predict about people is that people are unpredictable’. You may be wondering what I mean by this…

I’m fascinated by the behaviours of people. What we can learn from observing them–especially in organisations.

And so I found myself wondering, in the midst of one the most historic votes in Europe’s history: 'What if the EU were an organisation and Britain one of its business units? What advice would I be giving them?'

As we barrel towards a potential Brexit (British Exit) from the EU and watch on with a mix of intrigue and disbelief as the USA seems to genuinely consider Donald Trump as a Presidential candidate, I am struck by how much of the debate is being driven by the fear of difference.

I am particularly stunned by the plight of refugees pouring into Europe at the moment. As I witness the flow of refugees from Syria, Iraq and other countries, as well as Europe’s slow response to the crisis, I can’t help drawing a parallel with what happens in the corporate world.