The purpose of this paper is to provide our clients with an understanding of our approach to organisational change and culture transformation. First, we describe the underlying challenges that organisations face, where change is the norm rather than the exception. We then propose that, by addressing both manifest and underlying factors, KDVI’s interventions go beyond a simplistic quick fix. Next, we provide an overview of the theoretical foundations of KDVI’s approach to organisational culture transformation, which lead to six concrete change principles that guide our work. We then map these principles into a general roadmap for a culture transformation programme in terms of phases and timelines. In the final section, we highlight the specific change levers that make KDVI’s approach unique.
a reminder that democracies are very fragile configurations
Following Jonathan Swift’s satirical example of a “modest” proposal, this paradoxical article examines the question of having leaders for life. Throughout, it employs the tools of satire to outline the presumed advantages of a leaders-for-life system, revealing that, in reality, it is fraught with danger. In a circuitous way, the article makes clear that having leaders for life is an invitation for social unrest and economic decline. By presenting a number of examples of leaders for life, it becomes clear that the overriding concern is the ever-present danger of the abuse of power. Without the existence of term limits, there will be an increased prevalence of rights abuses, secret or arbitrary arrests and detentions, restrictions on freedom of expression, and police brutality. Furthermore, it is suggested that kleptocratic practices are par for the course.
INSEAD Knowledge, Jul 2020
"Sexual dynamics in the boardroom"
This working paper explores how people today are very much governed by the same sexual desires that drove our primitive ancestors.
INSEAD Working Paper, May 2015
"Aging and quality of life"
This working paper deals with a rather taboo subject: the consequences of prolonging life into extreme old age, now possible with advances in medical procedures.
INSEAD Working Paper, Apr 2015
"Fairy tales for today’s executives"
This working paper looks at how fairy tales—when applied to the realm of executive leadership—act as a shortcut to moral lessons, illustrating the dangers of leadership and various ways in which executives can derail.
INSEAD Working Paper, Mar 2015
"Executive coaches as modern day shamans"
This working paper discusses various similarities and differences between the healing practices of shamans and the work of therapists and executive coaches.
INSEAD Working Paper, Sep 2014
"Overview of the psycho- dynamic approach to leadership study"
This working paper provides an overview of the psychodynamic approach, including historical underminnings, its key concepts, and includes three case studies with which to apply the psychodynamic approach as well as a short self-assessment on leadership archetype.
INSEAD Working Paper, Jun 2014
"Group coaching for team alignment"
This article discusses how to get things done by applying the group coaching methodology.
INSEAD Working Paper, May 2014
"In search of introspection and reflection"
In this working paper, the author argues that doing nothing and being bored can be invaluable to the creative process.
INSEAD Working Paper, May 2014
"Dreams as entry points to executive subconscious"
This working paper addresses how leadership coaches should also pay attention to their clients’ dreamtime to help executives with their journey into their own interior.
INSEAD Working Paper, Feb 2014
"Death anxiety and succession issues"
This article takes a clinical lens to explore death anxiety as a motivational force, how it affects behaviour in organisations, and how we metabolise the feelings death evokes.
INSEAD Working Paper, Feb 2014
"Forgiveness as a business tool"
This working paper explores the subject of forgiveness and its importance in the context of leadership.
INSEAD Working Paper, Apr 2013
"Attachment theory applied in an org context"
This working paper explores the evolution and function of attachment in the context of adult relationships.
INSEAD Working Paper, Apr 2013
"Play therapy as a means of individual reinvention"
This working paper argues that the proclivity to play remains an essential part of our make-up throughout our life and that we should make greater efforts to retain play as a mode of learning and the source of creative production.
INSEAD Working Paper, Dec 2012
"The victim syndrome in org contexts"
This working paper explores the victim syndrome within an organisational context, and provides a checklist to identify people who are victims of it.
INSEAD Working Paper, Jul 2012
"Identifying and dealing with SOBs"
This working paper explores ways of identifying and dealing with SOBs—Seductive Operational Bully—from an organisational and individual perspective, and recommends a clinical orientation to organisational diagnosis and intervention.
INSEAD Working Paper, Jul 2012
"Psycho- dynamic aspects of effective leadership"
This working paper explores the psychodynamic aspects of effective leadership.
INSEAD Working Paper, Dec 2011
"Creating tipping points for change"
In this working paper, the author explores the tipping point phenomenon and its different facets and effect on change.
INSEAD Working Paper, Sep 2011
"Rescuer syndrome and excessive helping behavior"
In this article the author explores the problem of excessive helping behavior—The Rescuer Syndrome—with particular reference to executive coaching.
INSEAD Working Paper, Dec 2010
"Why do women still fail to secure top positions in the workplace?"
This paper deals with the issue of whether the kinds of organisational structures and practices that attract women might also benefit men, and ask whether the male-oriented default position of organisational design has had its day.
INSEAD Working Paper, Nov 2010
"Leadership development for long term change"
This working paper argues for leadership development programmes focusing on creating long term change rather than quick fixes.
INSEAD Working Paper, Sep 2010
"How to groom organisa- tional stars"
This working paper addresses nascent stars: What makes those that turn into butterflies so special? What makes them so successful? What are the qualities that turn them into top performers?
INSEAD Working Paper, Jul 2010
"Profiel fo a tansfor- mational leadership programme"
This paper explores the impact of a transformational leadership development program on the lives of its participants after a one year interval.
INSEAD Working Paper, Mar 2009
This paper discusses the internal and external pressures that may trigger organisational changes and explores the four stages of the organisational change process.
INSEAD Working Paper, Feb 2009
"What do executives want out of life?"
This article is based on the responses of 160 senior executives to questions of what success means to them.
INSEAD Working Paper, Jan 2009
