Wisdom in fragments

We live in a society where our pursuit of authenticity is more important to us than ever, but we've created a society which is also extraordinarily fake. I want to understand this and understand how we can fight back.

This isn't a passing fad. Something fundamental is going on here.

Editor of Fortune Magazine & Wall Street Journal columnist

Social media has changed everything for companies. Within 24 hours, people on the other side of the world were cancelling flights because they were outraged. You can't segment your message, you have to take ownership.

Editor of Fortune Magazine & Wall Street Journal columnist

If you look at the balance sheets of Fortune 500 companies 50 years ago and today, you can see that 50 years ago, 80% of the value was physical stuff. Today, more than 85% of the value consists of intangibles. Companies must become so much more now that their value comes from their ability to inspire, drive and organise human beings.

Editor of Fortune Magazine & Wall Street Journal columnist

A lot of business leaders were watching all this and seeing it as a warning call… they felt that they had to figure out how to operate better or risk losing their operating license.

Editor of Fortune Magazine & Wall Street Journal columnist

At the time of the last great recession, something changed. It was a significant failure of the markets, and really did cause people to question market economics. It was the beginning of a time when everybody felt the need to put a modifier in front of the word 'capitalism,' it was clear the incumbent version wasn't working as well as it could.

Editor of Fortune Magazine & Wall Street Journal columnist

Instead of saying 'I'm a technology entrepreneur…' you might say, 'well, I run a technology business, but I love philosophy and playing the piano…' the person you're speaking to now has a few more dots to connect!

We can literally see in science that having an open mind, an openness to the unexpected, and the right goals and direction create a greater likelihood of success. This mindset literally gives people the permission to look- and act- on the unexpected.

The lucky person walks down the street, sees the £5 note, picks it up, goes into the coffee shop, and sits next to the businessperson, they have a conversation, exchange cards, and leave thinking they've potentially had a great opportunity. The unlucky person ignores the money, and sits next to the person without making conversation.

We are held back by our deep, underlying fears. Fears of rejection, fears of being the imposter. We need to reframe these fears and work on regret minimisation. If you didn't take that action, spark up that conversation, or try that idea, would you regret it?

Serendipity is about active luck, it's about the luck we create for ourselves and how we imbue meaning into the unexpected. Our reaction to unexpected moments can determine what happens in the future; that's a big component of what we perceive as 'luck.'

There are a lot of people who misuse social media and then they pay the price for it. These individuals and groups are hunting for people to make mistakes, take embarrassing videos and show the world.

When I was a journalist, you had to always have three sources, or they would not run the story. Now, according to 'sources', not even on-the-record, is good enough. Everyone wants to be first and often that leads to mistakes.

A lot of people fail at what I do because they group all talent together. Just because they are labelled as 'talent,' doesn't mean they are similar at all. They are individuals with unique business models.

My mother Bess taught me very early on to take risks and just go for it. I don't like to waste people's time, and I don't like my time wasted because time is the only thing you can't get back.

When we mask, conform, and hide aspects of who we are, it actually hurts and damages us in the end. But no one can be authentic 100% of the time because we are tribal, very social.

Canadian actress known for role in "Quantico" TV series