008: Dr. Angus Hervey on why boredom and friction matter and the art of managing complexity
Most leaders treat friction and complexity like problems to be solved - things to smooth over and power through.
Here's the thing about complexity - it doesn't behave like a problem you can conquer. It behaves like a Hydra. Strike one head, two grow back. Brute force only multiplies the difficulty.
Dr. Angus Hervey says, "Leadership is about leaning into the friction. Friction can create resistance, but friction can also generate energy."
This Good Conversation unpacks the art of managing complexity – and why the gravest risk leaders face isn't complexity itself, but the isolation that makes complexity corrosive. We explore boredom as a creative catalyst, the case for evidence-based optimism, and what it looks like, practically, to build the circle of friends and partners that combats isolation and turns friction from resistance into something generative.
Dr. Angus Hervey is a three-time TED speaker and one of the world’s leading voices on human progress. Angus is the founder of Fix The News, an independent media company that shares data-driven stories of positive change across health, education, human rights, clean energy, science, and conservation. He holds a PhD in Government and a Masters in International Political Economy from the London School of Economics.
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About Good Conversation:
Good Conversation is a podcast where Phill Nosworthy sits down with some of the world’s most influential leaders - for the kind of off-limits, insider discussions rarely heard beyond the room. Each episode explores the art of leadership at the intersection of high performance and humanity.
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About Phill Nosworthy:
Phill Nosworthy is regarded as one of the most trusted voices in executive development today. He is a mentor and educator to influential leaders around the world and the Founder and Managing Director of Nosworthy Group, a leadership consultancy that counts Microsoft, Boston Consulting Group X, Australian Grand Prix Corporation, Xbox and Universal Music as partners.
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