Fidji Simo’s Post

Today we paid tribute to former European Commission President Jacques Delors. In the 10 years that he led the European Commission, he gave Europe a clear direction. The impact of his work on our continent and daily lives is enormous and lasting. Jacques Delors grew up immediately after the First World War, which had brought devastation, death and destruction to his country, France, and to much of Europe. He lived through the Second World War, and knew, first hand, the value of peace, cooperation and solidarity. He saw that by working together, by taking the opportunity to reunify Europe after more than four decades of separation, by working on our competitiveness, by overcoming Europe’s internal borders and strengthening links between people, we could turn this situation around. The internal market with our four freedoms, Schengen, the preparation for the Euro, Erasmus, social Europe, the Union’s historic enlargement, Mr Delors was the architect and a driving force in all these developments. He was a man of enormous energy, a man of vision, endless ideas and at the same time practically minded. A man with a big heart and a deep sense of social justice. As we pay hommage to him, read more about his presidency in 'The European Commission, 1986-2000', the latest volume in this comprehensive history of the European institution. Read too the chapter dedicated to him (page 389): https://europa.eu/!j9Gtb7

Arab Islamist terrorism based on their own belief of their form of playing the victim and thus justice stands at the door of Europe, and for some the enemy within. The right thing to do is for clear thinking Muslims, and Islamic organizations to stand up and openly condemn HAMAS, stand up to decry terrorism. Stand out amongst those calling for the annihilation of Israel and courageously say #NeverAgain Are there any such forward-looking clear-minded and advance [Islamic] thinkers? Some have said there are 80% peaceful Muslims in the world; so let’s accept this as fact. But WHY are they silent at Oct7th⁉️ Aren’t these peaceful people also clear-minded people❓Can’t they see cold blooded murders, rapes, kidnapping etc as bad and evil❓ This is WHY the GoodWorld cannot believe that Islam is a peaceful religion bcuz there‘s a consistent absence of loud and clear peaceful Islamic voice; But instead, loud and clear have been their shoutings of annihilation of the Jews, America, etc, etc. Help us to believe in you. Stand up and be heard. All your peaceful Voice! Otherwise HOW can anyone believe you. So don’t blame the GoodWorld. And it’s time to stop playing the Victim. Start playing the peaceful global citizen. Work together to build and rebuild. There’s so much good to be done. Cease educating your kids about hate. Try ❤️ Try hospitality. Try forgiveness. See ahead… there’s so much goodness in us. 🙏🏻

France has one last chance to get off the Titanic and embrace its forgotten anti-Malthusian legacy. With the 60th anniversary of De Gaulle's recognition of China on Jan 27th, it is useful to explore some major historic lessons https://lnkd.in/e3yWiXsT

Good quality professionals solve problems ! Obama said it in simple words, however that is what makes good quality professionals. Of course we need to be able to describe the rootcause well , keep in mind the objective of that is to SOLVE the problem and to PREVENT repetition. There are I deed people at every level in the organisation who will tell you what went wrong, that it was not their fault, that they told you so before , etc etc. But who raises his hand to actually solve the problem ? Or even better, who starts working on a solution even without being yet assigned, simply because it is urgent and necessary ? And then don’t shoot the messenger . People good at describing problems but not good at solvying them are usually also very good at criticizing proposed solutions, sometimes also triggered by the “not invented here (by me)” syndrome . Quality professionals solve problems. As I often say , our job in quality is to solve problems other people have created. Take good care of your quality professionals They one day will save your business simply by getting things done Jelle Pelsma

This is leadership

THE FALKLANDS WAR: A LESSON IN COMMUNICATION In April 1982, Britain and Argentina clashed over control of the Falkland Islands, a conflict that became known as the Falklands War. Britain’s Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher, needed to act swiftly. However, she also knew that British coalitions would frown upon rash decisions. Thus, Thatcher assembled a team to troubleshoot communication problems and initiated patient discussion with wavering coalitions. Her attention to communication transformed potential opposition into support, allowing the British task force to reclaim the Falklands. Her leadership, marked by persistent and clear communication, ultimately led the UK to victory. The moral of the story: Good communication turns potential opposition into strong support, a lesson vital for all businesses today. Want to communicate as effectively as Thatcher? PaperBlazer might just be the help you need! #communicationskills #businesscommunication #Falklandswar #leadershipcommunication

Very clear and precise

Peace and military power are two horns on the same goat! One can have all the trade, all the diplomacy and all the friends in the world but if one does not have military power to hold it together, one had nothing but fragile hopes and wishes. It was the wishful thinking of western leaders over the past twenty years that led to the diplomatic failure that has become the Russo/ Ukraine war. It is always easy to look back in judgment of others, especially those who thought they could create a new world order. Great changes come with great ideas and great hopes. The League of Nations and the United Nations are examples of these great ideas, but leaders, especially democratic leaders are sometimes so focused on the good in people they are blind to their natural wickedness. Decent leaders in charge of well meaning governments have achieved their political status from backgrounds that are usually middle class and formally educated. Law, reason, debate and consensus are the keys that open their doors, words such as 'hope', 'change' and 'the future' spring readily from their lips and excite their voters. Like passengers on a river boat ride late at night, they head towards the sea singing and dancing with no knowledge of the storms and the tides. There are rarely experienced soldiers in government cabinets. They are a level below obeying their civilian master and their plans. 'Do it or we will get someone who will'. Warnings are pushed aside in the name of expediency and money saving. A warrior is an expensive luxury they cannot afford --- until it is too late. Western Governments are guilty of 'Failed Deterrence' (Ben Hodges). Once again they lost the plot and let the greed and avarice that is part of human nature grow unchallenged. They failed in Syria, Georgia and Crimea. It is estimated that there have been 250,000 deaths both Ukrainian and Russian in the past 18 months and the financial costs are far more than strong military deterrence would have cost. It wasn't just health care, infrastructure and housing that soaked up the money, it was incompetence, hubris and bloody short memories. Peace and military power are two horns on the same goat! Meanwhile Britain continues to reduce the size of its armed forces, reduces manpower and limits its response capability. Money is not a substitute for men and machines! In the song 'Where have all the flowers gone' (Peter Seeger 1955) the question is asked 'When will they ever learn?' Never it seems. Slava Ukraini! Who Dares Shares Robin Horsfall