We are delighted to announce the launch of CEDEP’s first leadership podcast series: Bringing philosophical experimentation into the heart of business – with Jules Goddard, CEDEP Faculty and practical philosopher.
Is greater experimentation required in the way we do business?
How can philosophy help us challenge the status quo?
Hosted by Kate Chauviré, Director, Academic Planning and Coordination at CEDEP, this thought-provoking and entertaining podcast series explores six possible ways to experiment with current managerial practice and asks, what we can learn?
In each episode, Jules draws on real-life business stories and his own experiences and combines these with a mix of philosophical insight and practical business advice.
Questions throughout the series that will provoke lively discussion include:
- How can we turn meetings into conversations?
- Should management move beyond the dominant logic of efficiency?
- Is there value in reinventing companies as venture platforms?
- Could we bring the virtues of the free market inside companies?
- Is greater experimentation required in the way we work?
- What would happen if we liberated the maverick within us all?
Episode #01 Experimenting with corporate culture: from meetings to conversations
To start the series, Jules explores how the Covid-19 pandemic has shown us alternatives to the conventional workplace and asks, is it time to reinvent corporate culture and the way we work? For example, why and how should we turn meetings into conversations? What positive and proactive strategies are there to break down formalities in the workplace? How do we treat employees as resourceful humans rather than human resources?
Episode #02 Experimenting with strategic planning: beyond the dominant logic of efficiency
In this entertaining new episode, Experimenting with strategic planning: beyond the dominant logic of efficiency, Jules explores the traditional notion that competition is all about efficiency and asks, what if the art of strategy is to stay one step ahead of the need to be efficient? For example, how did Red Bull become the most successful soft drink competitor to Coca-Cola by delivering a smaller can, a higher price and, arguably, a horrible taste?
Episode #03 Experimenting with HR Practices: Reinventing the firm as a venture platform
In this engaging new episode, Experimenting with HR Practices: Reinventing the firm as a venture platform, Jules explores ways of keeping talent within an organisation by encouraging a culture of entrepreneurship. He asks, why do organisations mourn rather than celebrate the departure of top talent to launch new businesses? Why not become invested in these businesses? Is it time to transform the corporate world into universities of enterprise, learning hubs and venture platforms? Could this be the catalyst for an entrepreneurial revolution?
Episode #04 Experimenting with Hierarchy: Bringing the virtues of the free market inside the company
In this episode, Experimenting with Hierarchy: Bringing the virtues of the free market inside the company, Jules explores why, given the world’s wealth is based on competition, do we not believe in friendly rivalry within organisations? Why have we created an internal culture of socialism – a small politburo of powerful people whose word is law, with top-down planning, endless targets and unanimity of opinion – while on the outside we still believe firmly in the virtues of capitalism?
How do we inject a dose of healthy competition and experimentation into organisations and what are the benefits?
Episode #05 Experimenting with Action Learning: Making the case for greater experimentation in business
In this engaging episode, Experimenting with Action Learning: Making the case for greater experimentation in business, Jules explores the practical and philosophical case for experimenting in business, and asks, is experimentation the royal road – the scientific approach – to discovery?
Episode #06 Experimenting with Intrapreneurship: Liberating the maverick within every manager
In this final episode, Experimenting with Intrapreneurship: Liberating the maverick within every manager,Jules starts with an explanation of von Frisch’s famous discovery about the behaviour of maverick bees. They take risks and explore – and just occasionally discover a new treasure trove of pollen.
So what can we learn from these insights? Why do organisations often neglect the brave option of exploration? And why do we need more mavericks – with their idiosyncratic ideas, courage and curiosity – in business?
Happy listening !
You might also want more info on
Our programme Management & Philosophy
CEDEP’s new Management & Philosophy programme explores ground-breaking new philosophical management techniques inspiring the most engaged and productive workplaces around the world. Participants learn to use philosophical analysis to break the current limits of contemporary management.
Click here for more information about the programme.
To find out more about this mind-expanding programme starting on January 27th, contact Muriel Pailleux at muriel.pailleux@cedep.fr
Jules Goddard
Jules Goddard is Co-director of CEDEP’s new Management & Philosophy programme.
CEDEP Faculty, Fellow of London Business School, Member of the Council of the Royal Institute of Philosophy and author of recently published books on both philosophy and business experimentation.
Find out more about Jules Goddard here
For more thought-provoking management and philosophy insights from Jules, watch his latest video “What can philosophy contribute to the practice of management and the art of strategy?”