Wicked & Wise: How to Solve the World's Toughest Problems

by Alan Watkins, Alan Watkins

A groundbreaking new series explores hotly debated issues and offers some intelligent, challenging, and wise ways forward that may be able to break through the current intractable position—the first is coauthored by the author of A Brief History of Everything

Each book in this series is coauthored by leading leadership consultant Alan Watkins and a hand-picked expert in the relevant subject field—in this case, one of the most widely read and influential American philosophers of our time. This first entry looks at some of the most pressing and topical issues affecting the world today, from the clash of religions and cultures in a globalized world to the growing dominance of technology. The book sets the scene for debating the key challenges facing current and future generations, and sets possible agendas for how leaders, and potential leaders, can solve challenges through the wise application of multi-tiered multi-channel, multi-organizational intervention lead in a highly developed, enlightened, and selfless way.

224 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2015

About the author

"Alan Watkins is recognized as an international expert on leadership and human performance. He has a broad mix of commercial, academic, scientific and technological abilities. Over the past 18 years he has been a coach to many of Europe’s top business leaders and has helped companies treble share price, enter the FTSE 100, salvage difficult turnarounds and establish market leadership in their industry. He has written two books and has three more coming out this year. He advised the GB Olympic squad prior to London 2012 and is continuing to work with them leading up to Rio in 2016. He has a three degrees and is a neuroscientist by background."

Reviews

[Luciana Vichino · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not the first a time I study the integral theory but the more direct approach to solve world's toughest problems was different and quite interesting. However, if you are expecting this book will give you the solution for the Climate Change you will be frustrated.

What landed strongly to me was the ability to recognize and work with different perspectives in different ways, for others and myself.

A very relevant framework to support overall development.

[Illimar Kaasiku · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wicked problems require wicked solutions! Beautifully articulated and easy to read book about multi-faceted global issues, mainly about climate warming, and multi-layer solutions.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having worked on a multi-stakeholder convention for sustainable oil and gas exploration, I understood this book at a personal level, and feel the author has laid a good framework for solutioning "wicked problems." Because I have a personal case study I could apply this to, I could understand every part of the framework. If a reader doesn't have a similar experience though, I think he or she will struggle to attain the practical applications of what the author proposes. I believe additional case studies beyond climate change would be helpful.

[David Savage · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an intelligent and evolutionary book that helps us to understand how to deal with increasing complexity and speed of change. I read this and had many "ah ha" moments.