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    ICMLG 2015 to be hosted in Auckland, New Zealand

    Conferences Governance Leadership Management Phd Research
    The 3rd International Conference on Management, Leadership and Governance (ICMLG) will be held in Auckland, New Zealand on 12–13 February 2015. This conference attracts leading thinkers from around the world. It is a significant opportunity to share research findings; debate emerging ideas on leadership, governance and strategic and operational management; contribute to the body of knowledge; and, importantly, meet some great people! In case you are wondering, the conference is designed for scholars and practitioners with an interest in these important topics.

    The call for papers has just been issued. I commend this conference to you, particularly if you undertake academic or commercial research, or if you are a doctoral candidate. I have delivered papers at the two previous conferences (click here and scroll down for details), and will be chairing a minitrack in Auckland.
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    Invited to submit article to journal!

    Conferences Governance Phd Research
    There was a very pleasant surprise waiting in my email box this morning: an invitation to submit an article for inclusion in a special issue of Leadership and Organization Development Journal. In March, I delivered a paper to the International Conference on Management Leadership and Governance held in Boston, USA. My contribution was noticed by the journal editors, which has led to them issuing the invitation.

    I'm both humbled and thrilled by this invitation: humbled that others see my work as valuable, and thrilled for the opportunity to contribute in this way. Thank you editors. 
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    Paper accepted onto BAM Conference programme

    Conferences Governance Phd Research
    I received some wonderful news today. My paper, entitled On the use of critical realism to advance governance research beyond correlations, has been accepted onto the main programme of the prestigious British Academy of Management Conference, to be held in Belfast, Northern Ireland in September 2014. You can read the abstract on the Research page if you'd like to know a bit more. (A copy of the full paper will be posted after it is presented at the conference.)

    It's humbling to know that others see my work as worthy to be included at this conference. I'm grateful for the opportunity. The feedback that the three reviewers provided (through the usual double-blind review process) was really helpful—both in terms of tweaking the paper, and as guidance for the doctoral thesis as it comes together through the remainder of 2014. Now, to save my pennies for the flights!
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    Crowdsourcing my doctoral research: can you help?

    Governance Phd Research Strategy
    My doctoral research, to discover how boards can influence company performance outcomes, is continuing a pace. Currently, I have one more board meeting to observe, after which the twelve month cycle of boardroom observations will be complete. This major milestone signals a change in emphasis, towards data analysis, the testing of ideas and the drawing of conclusions—oh, and writing the thesis document! Although it'll be tight, I hope to complete the thesis and submit it for examination by Christmas.

    The purpose of this post is to request some feedback please, to help me make sense of some emerging ideas. I'm mulling over a new conceptualisation of governance, one that challenges the widely-held view that governance and management should be kept separate. As alluded to in the paper I presented at ICMLG recently, the concept has the board fully engaged in the development of strategy.

    The question that I would like some feedback on is: What underlying powers, behaviours and concepts do you think are necessary for such a conceptualisation of governance to work well? Five are mentioned in the paper, but you may have some other suggestions based on your experience. If you would like to share your ideas (supported with examples if you can), please contact me!
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    ICMLG'14: just around the corner

    Conferences Governance Leadership Management Phd Research
    The International Conference on Management Leadership and Governance (ICMLG) is only a week away. This year, the conference is being held at Babson College, just outside Boston. The programme looks really interesting. I'll post reflections and comments here during the conference, so please check back if you are interested.

    I leave home on Mon 17 on the Air New Zealand evening flight to San Francisco, to meet a United flight across to Boston. The conference dates are 20–21 March, so I will have some time beforehand to reacquaint myself with a city that I last visited 20 years ago, and to attend meetings with some highly regarded governance advisors who are based in Boston. My paper will be presented on the first day of the conference, and I will chair a session the second morning.

    Immediately after the conference, I fly out to northern Minnesota, to visit the family I lived with as an exchange student 35 years ago. It'll be my first trip back since 1990, and possibly the last time I see my now elderly host parents. While the schedule is tight, I am looking forward to this trip very much. I'll keep you informed.
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    Learning to say 'no'

    Phd Time Management
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    I have just been asked to consider a nomination to become deputy chair of the New Zealand Vintage Car Club (Wellington Branch). I've been interested in old cars for as long as I can remember—particularly Lancia, Alfa Romeo and Triumph cars from the 1950s and 1960s. (In case you are wondering, the car in the picture is our current indulgence.) We joined the VCC a few years ago, to meet others with similar interests beyond the marques we are most interested in. Now this unexpected approach has come.

    While it's an honour to be asked to contribute to the leadership of an organisation, a most important consideration is whether one has the expertise and the time to do the job well. Sometimes the best response is to decline the invitation, despite the confidence others have in you, and the organisation and role being in one's sweet spot.

    The challenge for us all is to ensure that we make excellent contributions in whatever we take on. The VCC role includes two meetings a month (committee meeting plus monthly branch meeting) and attendance at various events. It would be fun, but it would also be a diversion. In my case, the priority for the year is to complete the doctorate. Other important contributory tasks include writing and presenting papers at international conferences, facilitating professional development courses for the IoD, a tiny amount of consulting and keeping (somewhat) fit. Something would have to go if I took on the VCC role, but it can't be anything on my priority list, thus my decision. Do you face similar dilemmas?