Executive leadership faces new vulnerabilities. Many leaders privately
concede them, but few are willing to talk publicly about them.
'Unthinkable' events since 2014 have revealed a new leadership fragility
at the highest levels. And the pace of change in 2018 shows that the
uncertainties are greater than ever. Is this the 'new normal?'
Thinking The Unthinkable is an investigation into why leaders have
appeared more unable or unwilling than ever to anticipate the biggest
issues of our time.In an era of 'wicked problems' why are current
leadership behaviours and culture apparently not fit for purpose? What
are the causes of so many failures in policy and strategic forecasting?
Are they human frailties? Or are they systemic failures to embrace
smartly new realities?
Through hundreds of interviews and conversations, Nik Gowing and Chris
Langdon have analysed the deep new challenges to the human capacity of
leaders at the highest keels to accept, understand, embrace then handle
the extraordinary processes of change and disruption.
This essential book draws on the candid responses. The findings will be
disconcerting to leaders at all levels.
