The European Business Review November/December 2021

Intelligent technologies are dramatically transforming modern societies. The potential economic and social benefits of these technologies seem unprecedented. Intelligent technologies are therefore increasingly being involved in a variety of decision-making contexts, as such influencing a wide variety of outcomes that are important to human end-users. This reality means that intelligent technologies will and have to be used for good so they do not endanger the stability of our social fabric and the sanctity of our human autonomy. Despite the increasing awareness that a human-centred approach to the adoption and employment of intelligent technologies is needed, concerns about the potential risks and harms that these technologies can bring to humanity are nevertheless growing. In fact, this observation makes us realize that the obsessive search for technological solutions striving to optimize efficiency…

Earlier articles in this series have introduced Team Mindfulness using the AIM model and explored how the application of the model in practice addresses important areas of organisational life, including the creation of a genuinely human organisation as part of the living system of this planet. This article takes another turn and addresses a question that concerns every organisation we work with. How can we really change the pattern on diversity and inclusion? If we are serious about making our organisations work for everyone, what do we need to do? We think that mindful practice using the AIM approach can be powerful, and this article shows how. WHAT’S THE PROBLEM? Diversity and difference matter. The evidence seems clear: more diverse organisations produce better results . Having a richer mix of perspectives and life…

Chris Nichols is co-founder of the specialist systems change consulting firm GameShift, Over the past three decades he has worked in public service, consulting, finance and academia. His work brings creative provocation and spiritual practice to the boardroom in service of human and more than human flourishing. Philippa Hardman is co-founder with Chris Nichols of GameShift. She is a chartered accountant by background, with 25 years consulting experience including Coopers & Lybrand (now PwC) and PA Consulting. She was previously co-leader of the strategy engagement group and Director of Ashridge Consulting. Michael Chaskalson is a Professor of Practice at Ashridge Executive Education at Hult International Business School and associate at The Møller Institute at Churchill College in the University of Cambridge. A pioneer in the application of mindfulness to leadership and in the workplace, he…

Thank you for sharing your time with us, Ms Colvano! Can we begin with a few words on what initially drew you into executive search? Like many others who have built a career in executive search, I stumbled into this industry. After interning at Daversa during university, I realized this was a unique opportunity to combine my desire to be in business, passion for emerging technologies, and my curiosity and passion for people. Over time, the visibility of my own impact and challenge of the rigour required to be successful really made this industry one I knew I would go on to build my career in. Founded in 1993, Daversa Partners has established itself as a household name in executive search. What’s it like working for a company that is responsible for…

A fiercely driven and passionate individual, Wendy Colvano learned that hard work combined with a fast pace is what it takes to become a relentless headhunter. She operates with a level of urgency and organization that delivers game-changing talent. A key member of Daversa’s international practice, Wendy moved from Manhattan to London to build out Daversa’s office there and has worked with some of the most disruptive start-ups across Europe. Her results set a global standard for recruitment with C & VP-level placements for Deliveroo, Farfetch, GoCardless, Coupang and Trainline. Wendy transferred from the University of Connecticut to the University of Miami where she studied English Literature with a concentration in British Literary History.…

Thank you for sparing the time to talk to us, Mr Liddle! Could we begin with a few words on what made you pursue a career in conflict resolution? Following my first degree in Race Relations in the late 1980s and early 90s, I worked in a large UK city and I saw first-hand the levels of violence and community conflicts and the woefully poor attempts to resolve them (if indeed there were any). Inspired by the principles of mediation and restorative justice – something I hadn’t really seen elsewhere in the UK – I decided to set up Leicestershire Mediation Service to help resolve community disputes and to tackle offending and anti-social behaviour. It was one of the first community mediation and restorative justice schemes in the UK. This was…