Dr. Rick Nason
Blended/online MBA program director
Dr. Rick Nason may be on sabbatical until June 30, 2017, but his schedule has not experienced any slowdown. With two new books scheduled to come out in the next few months, Rick’s days are fully “booked” (pun intended).
CFAME Connection reached him on location in Illinois to gain perspective on the challenges that face leaders in the next five years, such as shifting work patterns and additional compliance.
“Predicting the challenges that face leaders in the next five years is tougher than predicting the weather and a much tougher task than any other point in history.” Rick advised with his usual wit and clarity.
“I think there are three main challenges – the need to understand complexity as opposed to things that are complicated, something on which I have a vested interest as I have a book coming out on the topic in this month, the ability to be flexible combined with the ability to deal with the uncomfortable and the unfamiliar; and finally, a new appreciation for risk taking and risk management. Again, a bias as I have a book on new ideas for risk management coming out in August.”
“It’s Not Complicated: The Art and Science of Complexity for Business Success” published by the University of Toronto Press, is scheduled to make its debut this month and can be ordered through Amazon.ca.
I have given lectures on the topic of “It’s Not Complicated,” and realized the need to provide a comprehensive review of my findings,” Rick explained. “In the new knowledge economy, traditional modes of thinking are no longer effective. Compartmentalizing problems and solutions and assuming everything can be solved with the right formula can no longer keep pace with the radical changes occurring daily in the modern business world.”
It’s Not Complicated: The Art and Science of Complexity in Business
Stay tuned for more from Rick Nason. He has promised to provide more insight into his book coming in August. Meanwhile, we wish Rick all the best when he takes a well deserved vacation coming up in a few weeks.
True that. Agility and adaptability, mindfulness and empathy, will be the hallmarks of effective leaders when dealing with conplexity, regardless of whether they are transactional or transformational or any variant in-between.
I had the pleasure of attending a session this morning where Rick presented ” It’s Not Complicated: The Art and Science of Complexity for Business”; I so enjoyed it; not only was it entertaining, but also thought provoking. Thanks Rick
Rick met me at the Halifax airport (I want heading back to Vancouver) a couple of weeks ago to personally give me his book, “It’s Not Complicated: The Art and Science of Complexity in Business.” I agree, Michelle, Rick is entertaining even as he challenges readers to seek a new reality. I especially like this quote:
“As you read this book, I trust that you will not faint, be flummoxed, or become infuriated. Instead, I hope that you will find this book to be full of useful concepts that enrich your thinking and help you generate business ideas and solutions that are realistic, effective, and profitable. Its’ not complicated.” Rich Nason