Frontiers

Dr. James B. Rieley is an advisor to CEOs and senior leadership teams in both Europe and America. Dr. Rieley, who has an earned doctorate degree in Organisational Effectiveness, additionally has a B.S. in Business Administration, and was the president of a successful plastics manufacturing company for over 20 years. After selling his company in 1987, he began to work with organisations in the area of decision-making and realising personal and collective organisational potential.SummaryDr. Rieley discusses the attributes of effective leaders and the importance of creating an environment where individuals and organisations can realise their potential. He emphasises the shift from efficiency to effectiveness and the need for leaders to focus on thinking, influencing, achieving, and leading. Dr. Rieley also highlights the value of systems thinking in understanding the cause and effect relationships within organisations. Additionally, he advises influencing others and driving cultural change within an organisation. In this conversation, Dr. James Rieley discusses the importance of understanding mental models and how they impact decision-making and behavior. He explains that mental models are the key to making fundamental changes in a cultural environment and that they have a greater impact than strategy or market share. He emphasises the need for leaders to embrace change and think long-term, as well as the importance of understanding the future of work and being flexible in organisational structures.TakeawaysLeadership is about creating an environment for individuals and organisations to realise their potential.Effective leaders focus on thinking, influencing, achieving, and leading.Systems thinking helps understand cause and effect relationships within organisations.Asking questions is a powerful way to influence others.Cultural change requires addressing policies, procedures, and mental models. Understanding mental models is crucial for making fundamental changes in a cultural environment.Mental models have a greater impact on decision-making and behaviour than strategy or market share.Unpacking and analysing mental models can be done by identifying variables and their connections through cause and effect relationships.Leaders need to embrace change and think long-term, considering the future of work and being flexible in organisational structures.Key Moments05:18 Creating an Environment for Potential33:36 Influencing Through Questions44:37 Long-Term Thinking and Better Decisions53:57 The Future of Work and AdaptabilityMusic credit: David Cutter Music / @dcuttermusic

Sir Geoff Mulgan CBE is Professor of Collective Intelligence, Public Policy and Social Innovation at University College London (UCL). Prior to that he was Chief Executive of Nesta, the UK’s innovation foundation. Between 1997 and 2004, Geoff had roles in the UK government, including director of the Government’s Strategy Unit and head of policy in the Prime Minister’s office. From 2004 to 2011, he was the first Chief Executive of The Young Foundation. He was the first director of the think-tank Demos and has been a reporter on BBC TV and radio.SummaryProfessor Sir Geoff Mulgan discusses the concept of collective intelligence and its importance in solving complex problems. He shares his diverse career journey and emphasises the value of being useful and working with intelligent pioneers. The definition of intelligence is explored, highlighting the capacity to make choices and the various functions and capacities that contribute to intelligence. The role of artificial intelligence (AI) in collective intelligence is discussed, with AI being effective in certain tasks but lacking creativity, judgment, and wisdom. It also delves into the discussion around education and work, highlighting the importance of preparing individuals for the future job market and the shortcomings of current education systems. The conversation emphasises the need for education systems to become more collectively intelligent and adaptive to the changing needs of the workforce. It concludes with advice for young people to cultivate deep knowledge in a specific field while also developing a wide range of skills and engaging with the arts.TakeawaysCollective intelligence is intelligence at a large scale and is crucial for solving complex problems.Intelligence is the capacity to make choices and encompasses functions such as memory, observation, creativity, judgment, and wisdom.Artificial intelligence (AI) is effective in tasks like observation, prediction, and memory, but lacks creativity, judgment, and wisdom.The combination of human and machine intelligence is often more effective than relying solely on AI.Replicating human wisdom in AI is challenging due to the ability to understand context and relate knowledge to specific situations. Incorporating wisdom into AI systems is a challenge that requires engaging with the lessons of wisdom and considering ethics, long-term perspectives, and the ability to make judgments.Education systems need to adapt to the changing needs of the future job market and focus on developing both technical and generic skills such as communication, problem-solving, collaboration, and creativity.Education systems should aim to become more collectively intelligent by using data, evidence, and experimentation to improve teaching methods and navigate the complexities of the future.Individuals should cultivate deep knowledge in a specific field while also developing a wide range of skills and engaging with the arts to stay relevant and adaptable in a rapidly changing world.Optimism and positive imagination are important for envisioning and working towards a better future, despite the challenges and pessimism that exist.Key Moments08:20 Exploring the Definition of Intelligence16:16 The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Collective Intelligence30:07 Adapting Education Systems for the Future Job Market36:20 Cultivating Deep Knowledge and Wide Skills for Success52:02 Embracing Optimism and Positive Imagination for the FutureMusic credit: David Cutter Music / @dcuttermusic

Catherine Barnard is a leading Professor in EU law and Employment law at the University of Cambridge, author of three of the primary textbooks in the field, deputy director of UK in a Changing Europe, a non-partisan think-tank looking at the implications of Brexit and its aftermath.SummaryThis episode is a wake-up call. It explores the experiences of EU migrant workers in the UK, focusing on their living conditions, challenges, integration into local communities, and the impact of Brexit. The conversation highlights the exploitation and poor treatment faced by migrant workers, including the withholding of passports and deductions from their income. It also discusses the lack of support and resources for migrant workers, such as limited access to healthcare and language barriers. The episode emphasises the need for better integration efforts and addresses the potential future challenges posed by an ageing population of migrant workers.TakeawaysEU migrant workers in the UK often face exploitative living conditions and poor treatment, including the withholding of passports and deductions from their income.There is a lack of support and resources for migrant workers, such as limited access to healthcare and language barriers.Integration into local communities is challenging due to long working hours, exhaustion, and language barriers.The impact of migration and lack of integration played a significant role in the Brexit vote, with some communities feeling left behind and experiencing a changing identity.The ageing population of EU migrant workers poses future challenges, including increased healthcare needs.Key Moments02:03 Living Conditions and Exploitation06:32 Challenges Faced by EU Migrant Workers12:28 UK's Decision to Allow Unrestricted Access14:54 Living Conditions and Slavery-like Practices24:18 Access to Healthcare27:11 Integration into Local Communities34:14 Impact of Lack of Integration on Brexit37:11 Migration and the Decision to Move41:50 Future Challenges and Aging PopulationMusic credit: David Cutter Music / @dcuttermusic

Thomas Sampson is a Professor of Economics at the London School of Economics. His research studies the impact of globalisation on workers, firms, and productivity. Thomas is also an academic adviser to the Bank of England and an associate at the Centre for Economic Performance, where he has worked extensively on the economic consequences of Brexit.Summary:This conversation is nothing short of a masterclass in international trade. We cover a wide range of topics, including the importance of trade for economic prosperity, the historical context of international trade, the role of tariffs, the impact of Brexit on UK-EU trade, and the intersection of international trade and climate change. Professor Sampson provides insights into the complexities and challenges of these issues, highlighting the need for cooperation and global solutions.Key Moments:06:29 What is International Trade and Why is it Important09:24 Historical Context of International Trade14:57 Tariffs and Their Role in International Trade20:14 Winners and Losers in International Trade28:27 The Impact of Brexit on UK-EU Trade40:04 The Intersection of International Trade and Climate ChangeMusic credit: David Cutter Music / @dcuttermusic

Andrew Beggs is a Professor of Cancer Genetics & Surgery at the Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, and the Deputy Director of the Birmingham Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre and Theme Lead for Biomarkers and Liquid Biopsy. He is also Head of Somatic Cancer in the Central and South Genomic Medicine Service Alliance and Co-Lead of the Translational Biology and Genetics research theme within the Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences. He is a fellow of the Alan Turing Institute and has recently been awarded an MRC Senior Clinical Fellowship.SummaryThis conversation explores the role of genetics in cancer and why the disease is hard to treat. It discusses assessing cancer risk and the benefits of annual MRI scans. Advances in less invasive and targeted therapies are highlighted, along with the importance of accessing new treatments and seeking second opinions. The conversation also touches on the progress in treatments, the cost of care, cancer genetics research, ways to reduce cancer risk, and the uncertain effects of vaping.Key Moments02:13 Understanding cancer07:36 Why is cancer difficult to treat?13:12 Assessing personal risk of cancer16:01 The effectiveness of annual MRI scans24:55 Advancements in Less Invasive and Targeted Therapies28:20 Availability and Access to New Treatments29:04 Importance of Seeking Second Opinions31:59 Progress in Cancer Treatment and Cures33:38 The Cost of Cancer Treatments36:42 Cancer Genetics Research and its Process44:19 Reducing the Risk of Cancer46:14 Vaping and its Unknown Effects on CancerMusic credit: David Cutter Music / @dcuttermusic

Professor Jonathan Portes is one of the UK's leading economists and a Professor of Economics and Public Policy at King's College London. Professor Portes has previously served as chief economist at the Department of Work and Pensions and chief economist at the Cabinet Office.SummaryProfessor Portes explores the economic impacts of immigration, the misconceptions surrounding it, and the political use of immigration as a tool. He also explores the concerns of today's labour market, the potential impact of technology on inequality, and the challenges of transitioning to a sustainable economy. The conversation emphasises the need for scenario planning and a broader range of perspectives when considering the future.Key Moments03:19 Misconceptions of Immigration09:31 Political Use of Immigration16:13 Population Demographics and Immigration27:41 Concerns in Today's Labor Market35:33 Impact of Technology on Inequality44:18 Transitioning to a Sustainable Economy46:51 Advice for BusinessesMusic credit: David Cutter Music / @dcuttermusic

Alison Taylor is a Clinical Associate Professor at NYU Stern School of Business and Executive Director of Ethical Systems. Professor Taylor has spent the past two decades consulting with multinational companies on risk, anti-corruption, sustainability, human rights, culture and behavior, stakeholder engagement, ESG, and ethics and compliance – including as a senior advisor at sustainability nonprofit BSR, a member of the Board at Venture ESG, and a sustainability adviser at Zai Lab, KKR, and Pictet Group.SummaryProfessor Alison Taylor discusses the concept of being a good business and the challenges and complexities surrounding it. She emphasizes the need for a better conversation about the role of business in society and the importance of clarity and honesty in addressing ethical questions. Professor Taylor also explores the tension between shareholder value and other objectives, the limitations of rating agencies, and the need for organizations to focus on managing their negative impacts. She highlights the qualities of effective leaders and the importance of culture in driving change. Ultimately, she calls for better questions and a more systemic approach to addressing the challenges facing businesses today.Key Moments00:59 What does it mean to be a good business?04:42 Disconnects and challenges in the business world05:12 Rating agencies and the limitations of transparency06:32 Tension between shareholder value and other objectives07:31 The need for a better conversation about business in society08:01 The problem with stakeholder rhetoric09:26 Moving from transparency to accountability10:55 The limitations of rating agencies11:24 The challenges of measuring ESG performance12:47 The problems with corporate advocacy13:39 The fantasy of transparency leading to accountability20:05 The role of business in society22:02 The need for companies to manage their negative impacts23:15 Holding companies accountable through employees and social media24:36 The qualities of effective leaders in driving change26:28 The challenge of changing entrenched thinking at the top27:53 When CEOs and leaders should speak out on social and political issues29:32 The importance of having a process for making decisions on contentious issues34:39 The ingredients of a healthy culture37:02 The need for organizations to make a conscious choice to transform40:06 The challenges and uncertainties of the futureMusic credit: David Cutter Music / @dcuttermusic

Anand Menon is a Professor of European Politics and Foreign Affairs at Kings College London, director of the UK in a Changing Europe (an initiative that aims to make the findings of social scientific research available and accessible to all non-academic audiences interested in Brexit, the Brexit process and its implications), an associate fellow of Chatham House and Senior Associate member of Nuffield College, Oxford and co-editor of the journal West European Politics. SummaryThis conversation explores the history, dynamics, and external factors influencing the UK-EU relationship, with a focus on Brexit. The conversation begins with the drivers and history of Brexit, including the UK's skepticism towards the EU and contingent factors such as the Eurozone crisis and migration. The discussion then delves into the current dynamics of the UK-EU relationship, the success or failure of Brexit, and the impact of external factors such as NATO and conflicts. The conversation also covers the UK-EU Divergence Tracker, the importance of regulatory alignment, and the future of UK-EU relations.Key Moments00:57 The History and Drivers of Brexit08:24 The Method of Decision-Making: Referendum09:22 Brexit: Success or Failure?16:23 The Windsor Framework and the Northern Ireland Protocol19:44 The Importance of UK-EU Regulatory Alignment22:08 The Motivation for UK-EU Influence27:43 The Role of International Organizations (NATO and the UN)28:13 The Role of World Powers (USA and China)38:19 Collaboration and Cooperation in Conflicts (Ukraine, Russia, Israel, Hamas)40:35 The Future of UK-EU RelationsMusic credit: David Cutter Music / @dcuttermusic