This article explores how masking, often necessary for those with Asperger Syndrome, complicates the accuracy of personality typing systems. Drawing from personal experiences in a challenging post-war inner-city environment, it critiques the limitations of these systems in truly capturing one’s authentic self and offers insights into the interplay between identity, masking, and neurodiversity.
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On the penultimate day of the NCSC For Startups programme, there was an ad hoc discussion on code repositories and DevOps tooling. A couple of the cohort were long-time GitHub users, while we use a self-hosted version of GitLab. One of the teams had just moved from the latter to the former, while the final team used Azure DevOps. I thought it would be nice to write up an objective look at the first two options, along with alternatives, as well as summarise our decision. I didn’t want to cover Azure DevOps as I’ve just spent two years using it and I’m grateful to have escaped its clutches. Learn more here.
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The art of rhetoric and public speaking has evolved significantly over centuries, yet the foundational principles established by ancient orators like Cicero resonate even in contemporary discourse. This essay aims to juxtapose the rhetorical techniques of Cicero, a master orator of the Roman era, with the modern communication insights provided by Patrick Winston, a renowned professor and expert in artificial intelligence. By comparing their approaches, we can discern both the timeless nature of effective communication and the nuanced adaptations necessary in the modern era.
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Marcus Tullius Cicero, an eminent Roman statesman, lawyer, and orator of the first century B.C., left an indelible mark on the art of rhetoric and public speaking. His contributions, encapsulated in works like “De Oratore,” “Brutus,” and “Orator,” not only define the standards of eloquence in his era but continue to influence modern communication. This essay delves into the various techniques and tools Cicero employed and advocated for effective speaking and persuasion.
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Parrick Winston’s “How to Speak” end of year lecture was a firm favourite at MIT running for over 40 years. This article reviews the last of these lectures captured at MIT on YouTube, providing a summary, a breakdown of key points, an expansion of each of them, a critique of the lecture, and some pointers for future enhancements.
Continue readingAre you looking to pitch to investors? How about a list of key items to cover? Sam Simpson, serial entrepreneur and founder of Founder Catalyst, has a useful article on the key points to pitch to investors called on “Nineteen easy steps to scare off potential investors”. This article categorises the key recommendations by group, where each group represents a common theme or aspect of startup fundraising and provides insights into potential pitfalls and best practices within that category.
Continue readingThis article revisits and expands upon the principles laid out by Kim Gusta in her guide on crafting effective technology product datasheets. We aim to provide additional clarity and context to her valuable tips, helping readers create product sheets that are not just informative but also engaging. Whether you’re familiar with the intricacies of marketing or new to the field, this article is designed to be a helpful resource in optimizing your product datasheets. Plus additional assistance to the neurodiverse.
Continue readingSo what’s Horkan listening to while travelling to and from, and on the “Office Hours” sections of the NCSC For Startups programme? And why is it so repetitive and bloody loud? Well, it’d be…
Continue readingIn response to Beauhurst’s article “What’s Causing a Rise in Seed-Stage Valuations?” on seed-stage valuations, this critique offers a concise analysis, highlighting strengths, areas for improvement, and key takeaways. We delve into the complex landscape of seed-stage valuations, exploring the factors behind their rise and assessing the article’s contribution to the discussion.
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As part of the Cheltenham Literature Festival 2023, in honour of Ada Lovelace Day and as a reaction to a new report from the University of Bristol’s Research Institute for Sociotechnical Cyber Security (RISCS), The Times hosted a discussion panel “What If AI Doesn’t Change the World”. Led by The Times technology business editor Katie Prescott, and with Cambridge Professor of Politics David Runciman, Oxford AI systems expert Michael Wooldridge and AI ethicist Kanta Dihal, looking to explore the promise and peril of AI, asking whether our fears for the future are in fact misplaced? The audience was invited to ask the panel questions, but invariably, they didn’t have time to answer them all. As well as document the event, I thought it would be fun to ask ChatGPT what they thought…
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Two of the most popular personality and strengths assessment tools in contemporary times are the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and the Gallup Strengths Model (often known as CliftonStrengths or formerly as StrengthsFinder). Both instruments offer unique insights into the inner workings of individuals, aiding in personal development, team dynamics, and leadership strategies. But how do these two models intersect, and can they be mapped onto each other? Let’s dive in.
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The Gallup Strengths Model, better known as CliftonStrengths (and formerly as StrengthsFinder), has its roots in a shift towards positive psychology and the goal of understanding what makes people excel. Here’s a brief history of its development.
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The Gallup Strengths Model, often referred to as the CliftonStrengths or formerly StrengthsFinder, is widely acknowledged as a leading tool in personal development, leadership training, and team building. Rooted in positive psychology and developed by Donald O. Clifton, this assessment provides insights into 34 talent themes, suggesting that when individuals are aware of and lean into their inherent strengths, they can achieve optimal performance. However, as with any prominent psychological or developmental model, the CliftonStrengths has its critics. This article delves into a critical analysis of the model, weighing its potential benefits against the critiques.
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The Gallup Strengths, often referred to as CliftonStrengths (formerly known as StrengthsFinder), is a personality tool and development methodology based on the work of psychologist Donald O. Clifton. It’s designed to help individuals identify, understand, and maximize their unique talents and strengths.
Continue readingExplore how Simon Sinek’s Infinite Mindset model can revolutionize organizational strategy and leadership in our comprehensive analysis. This article provides an in-depth look at the model’s principles, showcases their application within the cybersecurity pioneer Cyber Tzar, and offers a step-by-step guide to cultivating an infinite mindset in your own organization. Learn how to lead with vision, adapt with courage, and build a legacy of sustained success.
Continue readingDiscover the essence of Simon Sinek’s Golden Circle model in our latest article, where we explore its foundational principles and offer a practical guide to applying it in your organization. Learn how to articulate your purpose, differentiate your approach, and clearly define your offerings to inspire and achieve lasting success. Whether you’re enhancing cybersecurity with Cyber Tzar or navigating another sector, this article provides the insights you need to connect deeply with your audience and turn vision into action.
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Schrems II is a significant ruling by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) that has far-reaching implications for transatlantic data transfers. Here’s a detailed analysis of the ruling along with its ramifications and a checklist for adopting the measures necessitated by Schrems II.
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Transitioning from startup to scale-up requires leaders to shift from hands-on roles to more strategic positions. This discussion examines the approach recommended in the article “How to move from a startup founder to a scale-up founder” by Colin Hewitt, and looks to analyse the article, the approach, make recommendations for improvement by simplifying the initial five-role model into a three-role framework – Executive, Manager, and Executor, aiming to ease this transition. By offering visual representation, real-world examples, personalized assessments, and mentorship, we aim to provide a clear, value-added pathway for leaders evolving alongside their growing organizations.
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Provides a mapping across the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), Deloitte’s Business Chemistry, DISC, and Gallup Strengths frameworks, illustrating potential intersections among different personality typologies. By dissecting each MBTI personality type based on four dichotomies (Extraversion/Introversion, Sensing/Intuition, Thinking/Feeling, and Judging/Perceiving), the table attempts to map them to corresponding categories in Business Chemistry, DISC, and Gallup Strengths.
Continue readingUnlock the full potential of your business offerings with our in-depth guide on the Value Proposition Canvas and Mapping. Learn how to align your products and services precisely with customer needs, crafting a value proposition that speaks directly to your target audience. This article provides a step-by-step approach to understanding customer requirements, optimizing your offerings, and communicating value effectively, setting the stage for enhanced customer satisfaction and business success.
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