BT Group’s acquisition of TalkTalk on October 5, 2026, aimed to stabilize a distressed telecommunications business serving 2.5 million customers. The transaction has significant financial implications, with an estimated £400 million impact in the coming year. Leadership must focus on three areas: continuity, truth, and gradual integration to ensure success and mitigate risks.
The Morning After the Rescue Deal Read More »
BT’s acquisition of TalkTalk and PlatformX, announced on October 5, 2026, underscores the challenges of distressed acquisitions. Effective leadership must prioritize continuity, truth, and integration, each operating on different timelines. Success hinges on maintaining service stability, revealing operational realities, and carefully managing integration without destabilizing critical functions.
You Bought the Crisis: Leadership After a Distressed Acquisition Read More »
On October 8, 2026, the U.S. suspended eight major tech firms from the PERM labor-certification process, disrupting pathways for permanent residency. This decision raises concerns about employee retention and organizational knowledge continuity. Companies must adapt their workforce strategies to address legal uncertainty and potential attrition while maintaining effective talent management practices.
Green-Card Freeze Lands on the Org Chart Read More »
BT’s rescue of TalkTalk shows why distressed acquisitions must be led on three clocks: continuity, truth and integration.
The Morning After the Rescue Deal Read More »
Leadership requires knowing when to abandon failing strategies to preserve resources and stakeholder trust. Companies often struggle with strategic exits due to commitment biases. The “Strategic Exit Test” aids leaders in assessing when to stop, reevaluate, or pivot, ensuring that valuable assets and knowledge are retained for future opportunities.
A Strategy Can Expire Before the Company Does Read More »
The article discusses the growing prevalence of algorithmic management in workplaces, where automated systems make decisions affecting employees. It emphasizes the importance of meaningful human oversight, defining conditions for effective governance and accountability. Real management requires the authority and ability to challenge automated decisions, ensuring just and fair outcomes for workers.
A Human in the Loop Is Not Enough Read More »
The article argues for the importance of strategic slack—reserves of capacity, time, options, and authority—within organizations. It emphasizes that efficiency shouldn’t compromise resilience against disruptions, illustrated through case studies of Toyota, TSB, Maersk, and Netflix. Leaders must carefully manage slack to sustain operations during crises.
The Last Five Percent Is Not Waste: The Leadership Case for Strategic Slack Read More »
A diverse workforce relies not just on hiring policies but also on maintaining respect among employees. Disrespect can lead to severe consequences, such as high turnover, legal issues, and even suicidal ideation. Organizations must actively manage respect to prevent individual harm and reputational damage, ensuring shared responsibility in fostering a respectful work environment.
The Cost of Looking Away: Why Respect for Difference Is Everyone’s Job Read More »
The article emphasizes the strategic importance of public affairs teams in enhancing policy implementation within organizations. It argues that proactive engagement, continuous regulatory monitoring, and cohesive communication strategies convert policy intent into effective actions. Organizations must integrate public affairs as a core asset to excel in navigating regulatory complexities and achieving competitive advantages.
The Strategic Importance of Public Affairs in Policy Implementation Read More »
Algorithmic management is pervasive in workplaces, with 90% of U.S. firms employing tools for worker oversight. Human oversight must be substantive, ensuring reviewers have context, authority, and time to intervene meaningfully. Effective governance involves understanding system influences and maintaining the balance between automated assistance and human control in decision-making processes.
The Algorithm Is Already Your Manager: Why Human Oversight Must Be a Real Job Read More »