Chapter 1: A Remarkable Start to 2022

Dear Team,

The initial months of 2022 have been extraordinary, unlike any I have encountered. It was particularly touching to connect with my colleagues from the LvBS Business School, part of the Catholic University of Ukraine, via a remote discussion focused on understanding the essence of strategy in these unpredictable times. Our webinar combined a brief presentation with an engaging Q&A session where we delved into this subject.

In times of uncertainty, strategy serves as a guiding map that can alleviate anxiety, establish clear direction, and aid in prioritizing tasks. I deeply admire their commitment to one another and their investment in the future.

Meanwhile…

I am excited to announce that my course on growth and transformation, titled "Leading Strategic Growth and Change," will be held in person next May! For further details, click here.

If you're interested in my upcoming engagements, please refer to my "events" page for the latest information.

Chapter 2: This Month's Thought Sparks

The Essential Art of Smart Politics (March 1, 2022)

Many perceive navigating organizational politics as an insincere act of self-interest. However, if you aspire to be a change-maker, you'll need to influence others to take different actions than they might otherwise choose. This article presents a structured approach to achieving that.

Good Jobs as a Competitive Advantage (March 8, 2022)

Applebee's quickly repudiated executive Wayne Pankratz's remarks about further cutting already low wages for employees. However, his comments merely highlighted the grim job policies that many in the American workforce endure. What if we instead embraced a strategy focused on good jobs?

Challenging Our Assumptions (March 15, 2022)

This piece may prove to be one of the most critical you read from me this year. Given the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and various unprecedented developments, many of our prior assumptions regarding democracy and the business landscape are now questionable. In this article, I examine what I believe to be the most significant of these assumptions.

Knowing When to Pull the Plug — Part 1 (March 22, 2022)

Most corporate initiatives eventually conclude before reaching the market. If this occurs swiftly and cost-effectively, it’s not necessarily a disaster. Unfortunately, the process often becomes prolonged and costly when teams fail to ask the difficult questions throughout. This is the first part of a collection of elements that might prompt you to reassess a project's viability.

Knowing When to Pull the Plug — Part 2 (March 29, 2022)

Continuing with the complex issue of determining when to abandon a once-promising idea that may not achieve the commercial success anticipated.

In the Press

I felt honored to be invited to speak to the Business School Community at the Catholic University of Ukraine, located in Lviv. My hosts shared their efforts to transform their campus into a refuge and supply center while mentioning how they’ve dispersed globally to flee the conflict. Their dedication to education and future planning is inspiring. You can view a recording of the webinar here:

Roopa Unnikrishnan from The Business Ecosystem Alliance discusses the evolving nature of competitive advantage and ecosystem-relevant strategies. In a Fast Company article, Kaihan Krippendorff highlights common misconceptions in forecasting the future, referencing insights from Amy Webb, Faith Popcorn, and myself.

Madeleine Albright was a significant influence on me — incredibly intelligent, humorously candid, and innovative, she utilized her distinctive pins to convey messages. In a segment on Marketplace, I reflect on her legacy as a role model.

In an Innovation Leader podcast, a panel of experts examines what various firms, including some unexpected ones, do to sustain their innovation initiatives. It was a pleasure discussing with Jeff Gothelf on his "Forever Employable" podcast about adapting to the evolving career landscape.

Free Demo Course! Meet Valize!

We are pleased to announce the availability of a recorded demo of the SparcHub system for you to explore. This resource provides an overview of the theory underpinning the Discovery Driven Growth system facilitated by SparcHub, along with product features. I would love to hear your feedback!

We’re set to launch our first cohort of online learners this May! The program will consist of live online sessions led by myself and pre-recorded modules that participants can engage with at their convenience. You can explore the current offerings at this link. Interested in what the course entails? We have a complimentary demonstration mini-course available.

Stay Connected and Shape the Agenda

In 2022, we are embracing the pursuit of new knowledge. You can follow me on Twitter (@rgmcgrath), Instagram (@ritamcgrathofficial), LinkedIn, and YouTube.

Additionally, I invite you to share any topics you would like me to explore in a Thought Spark!

Warm regards,

Rita