Articles

I write about the messy, real parts of transformation and leadership, the stuff that gets glossed over or doesn't fit neatly in frameworks.

This is where I share what I see, call out issues as they are, and offer practical tools and insights that actually help. Topics include making strategy real, building leadership capability, and designing work around how people actually think. Grounded in psychology, neuroscience, and hard-won experience.

Real problems. Practical solutions. Ideas to make work better for everyone.

Design for Thinking, Ways of Working, AI & the Brain Catherine Russell Design for Thinking, Ways of Working, AI & the Brain Catherine Russell

Part 3: Brains on: ways of working

A practical way of working that keeps “brains on” while AI brings the speed. We start with a few habits: one main focus per person, protected deep-work blocks, one-line decision logs, clear AI boundaries, and tidy handovers. It builds self-efficacy and better results. Use AI as a power-assist, not an autopilot.

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AI & the Brain, Leadership & Ways of Working Catherine Russell AI & the Brain, Leadership & Ways of Working Catherine Russell

Part 2 - The Thinking Modes: keep your brain strong in the age of AI

AI is brilliant at speed; it’s not a substitute for your brain. This post introduces the Thinking Modes —analytical, critical, creative, strategic, systems and metacognition—with cognitive flexibility at the centre. In plain language, you’ll see what each mode does, when to use it, and tiny daily drills to keep those circuits strong so you make sharper, more human decisions while AI does the grunt work.

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