Ideas & Culture - Dr Robert N. Winter (Page 2)

Stacking Experience

Too often, career changes are framed as 'pivots' that erase prior achievements. Instead, professionals should stack experience—layering skills, insights, and accomplishments into a coherent foundation for leadership. Reject the myth of starting over and compound capability across roles. In doing so,

By Dr Robert N. Winter

/ 11 May 2025

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On the right, cherubic infants sleep and play beneath a tree. Center-left, two young lovers sit closely, absorbed in music and affection. In the background, an elderly man sits alone.

Why Great Managers Know When to Switch Doors

The Monty Hall paradox reveals a deeper truth about management: sticking with a failing strategy isn't brave—it's bad judgment. When new information changes the odds, smart leaders pivot. Whether it's dodging the sunk-cost fallacy or resisting the fear of looking inconsistent, knowing when to switch

By Dr Robert N. Winter

/ 27 Apr 2025

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Illustration of game show host in a blue suit and red tie holding a microphone and gesturing toward three doors.

Why Is Everyone in My Meeting?

Open-plan offices have become acoustically ungovernable. Video calls happen everywhere, all at once, turning work into a blur of overlapping noise. Meetings proliferate without purpose, rewarding presence over thought. The solution isn’t more tech—it’s fewer invitations, clearer boundaries, and, whe

By Dr Robert N. Winter

/ 20 Apr 2025

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An illustration depicting a crowded business meeting in an office. At the centre, a bewildered manager in a navy suit gesture

Why Hype Erodes Communication

Hype disconnects speech from reality and shields actors from the consequences of their decisions. Hype becomes not just a linguistic trend but an institutionalised habit of avoidance. When managers are no longer accountable for what they say—because what they say has no anchor in meaning—they become

By Dr Robert N. Winter

/ 13 Apr 2025

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Illustration showing a corporate meeting in a modern glass-walled conference room. A visibly confused man in a suit sits at t

The Art of Not Reading

In an age of information overload, mastering the art of not reading is vital. Schopenhauer warns against indiscriminate consumption, urging deep engagement with quality works to cultivate sharper thinking, intellectual discipline, and true independence of mind.

By Dr Robert N. Winter

/ 16 Feb 2025

An illustration depicting a man and a woman in a classic study, surrounded by overflowing bookshelves. Both are blindfolded a

Preserving a Little Magic in a Rational World

Margaret Mead argued for keeping Santa as myth, not deception—preserving wonder while nurturing critical thinking. Treating Santa as symbolic and drawing on diverse traditions fosters imagination, honesty, and cultural insight.

By Dr Robert N. Winter

/ 24 Dec 2024

An artistic illustration depicting a magical urban evening scene. The cityscape is illuminated by a warm, golden glow, with s

Narrow Band Comprehension: Understanding Myopia in Performance and Governance

Narrow Band Comprehension limits individual and organisational performance through selective understanding. Organisations can counter it by promoting broad engagement, holistic metrics, and governance-based accountability.

By Dr Robert N. Winter

/ 3 Nov 2024

Narrow Band Comprehension: Understanding Myopia in Performance and Governance

The Limitations of AI in Formal Reasoning

Advances in LLMs show promise, but token bias undermines their logical reliability. Small input shifts can distort outputs, posing risks in fields like medicine, law, and policy. Their dependence on pattern recognition over true reasoning demands closer scrutiny and better design.

By Dr Robert N. Winter

/ 20 Oct 2024

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The image depicts an abstract, stylized human brain divided into two halves. On the left side, the brain is made up of mechan

Not My Employee, Not My Team: A Custodian Approach to Management

A custodian mindset in management prioritises stewardship over control. It supports autonomy, ethical leadership, sustainable resources, and agility through empowerment, transparency, learning, and clear ethical frameworks.

By Dr Robert N. Winter

/ 21 Jul 2024

Not My Employee, Not My Team: A Custodian Approach to Management

The Trouble with Busyness

In workplaces that reward busyness, activity often replaces real productivity. Non-essential work drives exhaustion, not value. Time boxing, prioritisation, and delegation help refocus effort on meaningful work, improving effectiveness, creativity, and well-being.

By Dr Robert N. Winter

/ 14 Jul 2024

The Dangers of Leaders Who Don't Know What They Don't Know

“They don’t know what they don’t know” captures a core leadership risk. Unaware managers make poor decisions and damage morale. Organisations that embrace learning, critical thinking, and ethical judgment build more resilient and just systems.

By Dr Robert N. Winter

/ 7 Jul 2024

The Dangers of Leaders Who Don't Know What They Don't Know

How to Think Better: A Shallow Dive into a Deep Topic

Critical thinking is vital but demanding. It isn’t fixed; it’s built through practice. Time for deep thought, less multitasking, patience, writing, and wide reading sharpen judgment, creativity, and the development of original, valuable ideas.

By Dr Robert N. Winter

/ 26 May 2024

An artist's illustration of artificial intelligence ai this image depicts ai safety research to prevent the misuse and encourage beneficial uses it was created by artist khyati trehan