Wisdom in fragments

Our role as coaches is essentially to help players utilise 100% of their potential. That, to me, is the essence of our job.

Tennis coach who famously coached Serena Williams

Champions possess a distinct mindset, a relentless drive for excellence that sets them apart. They're not content with just doing okay; they strive for excellence constantly. Being second is not an option for them, they aim for the top.

Tennis coach who famously coached Serena Williams

For those feeling threatened or inclined to see the world's workings as a conspiracy, it's conveniently easy to blame these perceived machinations on a Jewish elite, given the long and deep-seated history of such allegations.

After the Holocaust, such thinking became widely discredited. In the post-war era, other developments also influenced attitudes towards antisemitism, leading to a significant shift in political antisemitism. However, what persisted were the cultural stereotypes – the entrenched narratives and stereotypes about Jews within the culture, ready to be drawn upon whenever they seemed relevant or useful.

Often, we perceive antisemitism as an issue affecting someone else, never ourselves. However, it's a resource that a very wide range of individuals, groups and institutions have tapped into overtime.

Antisemitism has been present in Christian culture for roughly two millennia. Today it's not solely a Western, European, or North American issue; it's part of a global common culture. This 'reservoir' idea conceives of culture as a resource that a very wide range of individuals, groups and institutions have tapped into overtime.

This principle demands careful consideration of protection that must be given to civilians and civilian property, balancing military objectives against foreseeable collateral damage. This balance cannot be made by a formulaic algorithm – there isn't one – but by human judgment.

Prosecutor of Slobodan Milošević at the International Criminal Tribunal

Response to, and resolution of what lay behind the merciless attack, should theoretically still be for peaceful resolution in accordance with the UN Charter.

Prosecutor of Slobodan Milošević at the International Criminal Tribunal

A concept that has become prominent in recent discussions addressed to newspaper readers, media viewers, and radio listeners in the past seven weeks is 'proportionality'. This concept, while vital to have in mind in considering the lawfulness or otherwise of use of force in almost all armed conflicts, lacks a precise definition.

Prosecutor of Slobodan Milošević at the International Criminal Tribunal

The cumulative impact of these legal instruments indicates, perhaps unsurprisingly, that initiating war is rarely, if ever, lawful. However, responding to acts of war can be justified.

Prosecutor of Slobodan Milošević at the International Criminal Tribunal

Top leadership must take an active interest in projects. They should foster a culture where bad news is welcomed, not just good news. If a leader inadvertently suppresses bad news, it results in a dysfunctional governance structure.

Leading researcher on megaprojects, planning, and governance expert

The greatest risk often lies in people's biased perceptions of risk itself. The challenge is: how do you debias risk when everyone's perception of it is inherently biased?

Leading researcher on megaprojects, planning, and governance expert

They don't just dive into a project; they begin by exploring its purpose. This 'why' acts as a North Star, guiding every phase of the project. Having this North Star makes the process more efficient and significantly increases the likelihood of delivering the project effectively.

Leading researcher on megaprojects, planning, and governance expert

While optimism is essential and beneficial in many aspects of life, it can become a hindrance in the realm of large-scale, costly projects. Misplaced optimism in multi-billion-dollar investments is particularly problematic. It often signals impending financial shortfalls.

Leading researcher on megaprojects, planning, and governance expert

Only 8.5% of projects meet or exceed their time and budget expectations. This means that a staggering 91.5% fail to stay within budget or meet deadlines. However, when we consider delivering promised benefits, a mere 0.5% achieve this goal within the allocated budget and timeframe.

Leading researcher on megaprojects, planning, and governance expert

From my perspective, however, justice alone is insufficient for reconciliation. True reconciliation must originate within a society, involving both victims and perpetrators. Yet, accountability is an essential starting point, laying the groundwork for reconciliation efforts.

Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court for former Yugoslavia and Rwanda