Scan Magazine | Business | Column / Calendar
Leading into the creative future Even if you are one of the 13 million people who have watched Sir Ken Robinson’s TED talk, Do schools kill creativity?, you may not have seen his animated talk Changing education paradigms. Even if you have, I invite you to read on, since his messages are worth repeating any number of times. Robinson links the failures of our educational systems to our lack of agility in the
economic sphere and our lack of preparedness for change. Schools are alienating millions of kids, preparing them for the past, not the future. What Robinson says about schools is equally pertinent to the workplace; and to illustrate this, I want to quote another fierce advocate of creativity in education, Alan Maley. Maley has drawn up a summary of
For teachers in schools (Maley)
For leaders in the workplace
- Start from where the learner is.
- Start from where your people are. Listen!
- Let learning develop organically rather than according to a pre-determined plan.
- Be flexible about how people achieve their goals.
- Don’t teach – allow learning.
- Be a servant leader. Facilitate.
- Learn your learners.
- Learn your people.
- Keep the curriculum broad.
- Macro-manage.
- No tests or exams.
- No bureaucratic appraisals.
- No punishments, no rewards... just encouragement.
- Constructive feedback and praise.
- The importance of whole-body learning.
- Create a working environment where people can move around a lot.
- The importance of the aesthetic dimension.
- Create a beautiful working environment.
- The teacher as a person, not technicianexpert, is key.
- The leader as a person, not technicianexpert, is key.
Business Calendar
By Steve Flinders
beliefs common to many of the great radical thinkers about education – including Steiner, Montessori, A. S. Neill and Sir Ken.
I think Maley’s checklist for teachers (left) is equally valid for business leaders. Organisations full of curious, creative, life-long learners increasingly have the edge as predictable work becomes automated by AI. Leaders must foster this creativity or disappear. Steve Flinders is a freelance trainer, writer and coach, based in Malta, who helps people develop their communication and leadership skills for working internationally: steveflind@aol.com.
By Line Elise Svanevik | Photo: DUCC
Scandinavian business events you do not want to miss this month Food Matters Live 2017 The Danish-UK Chamber of Commerce will have its own pavilion at the Food Matters Live event at ExCeL in London on 21 November. The pavilion will aim to display Denmark’s latest innovations in the food and drink categories ‘better for you’, ‘functional’ and ‘natural ingredients’. The event is a great place to both showcase products and network with people within the food and drink industry. Date: 21 November, 10am-5pm Venue: ExCeL, London, Royal Victoria Dock, 1 Western Gateway, London E16 1XL www.ducc.co.uk
Christmas Luncheon 2017 The Swedish Chamber of Commerce has been running its annual Christmas Luncheons, which is one of their most popular events, for more than 30 years. A traditional Swedish ‘julbord’ is a staple, along with entertainment and networking opportunities
96 | Issue 106 | November 2017
while celebrating the arrival of December. Do not miss the chance to socialise with fellow businessmen and women at this festive London event. Date: 1 December, 12pm-3.45pm Venue: The Landmark London, 222 Marylebone Road, London NW1 6JQ www.scc.org.uk
Offshore Wind 2017 The UK offshore and wind industry will be explored at this seminar co-hosted by the Danish Embassy in London and the Danish-UK Chamber of Commerce (DUCC) on 7 December. Speakers include members of DONG Energy, the Scottish Government and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, among others. Date: 7 December, 10am-4pm Venue: Royal Danish Embassy, 55 Sloane Street, London, SW1X 9SR www.ducc.co.uk
DUCC Christmas Lunch The Annual Chamber Christmas Lunch will be held on 8 December, focusing on traditions, surprises, festive spirit and good company. The DUCC is encouraging guests to bring clients, close network friends and colleagues for some festive food and networking in the capital. Date: 8 December, 11.30am-3.45pm Venue: The Banking Hall, 14 Cornhill, London, EC3V 3ND www.ducc.co.uk