In an ever more interconnected world, understanding and valuing cultural diversity has become essential for effective leadership.
“Cultural and Historical Reflections” explores the ways in which culture shapes our identities, influences our decisions, and connects us to one another, and how it has done so over time.
In the workplace, in our communities, and on a global scale, the ability to respect and embrace cultural differences is a cornerstone of leadership and progress.
This chapter examines the richness of cultural traditions, the power of shared history, and the importance of bridging divides.
It highlights the role of culture in fostering creativity, resilience, and collaboration.
As you read these reflections, consider how cultural awareness can transform the way we lead and the way we engage with others.
Allow this section to inspire you to see diversity not as a challenge but as an opportunity, reminding you that the differences among us are what make our collective endeavours stronger and more innovative.
FOREWORD Today’s article was partly inspired by the wars unfolding around the world. In particular, Steven Erlanger’s article “In Iran, Trump Risks Another American ‘Forever War’”, published in The New York Times on 16 July 2026, made me reflect on an aspect of war that is often given far less attention than the decision to … Read more
“If I wanted to talk to idiots, I’d talk to my own people.I wouldn’t waste my time talking to you.”(Palmiro Cangini, Councillor of Roncofritto — a fictional character played by Paolo Cevoli in the Italian comedy show “Zelig”) The joke is funny.In fact, it is hilarious.Because none of us imagines that we are the target.The … Read more
Behind Every Museum, a School We have been taught that youth is a stage of life.I am no longer quite so sure. There comes an age when the wrong compliments begin.‘You do not look your age.’As though the aim were to win a contest against the mirror. In truth, I have no interest whatsoever in … Read more
INTRODUCTORY NOTE I am living through one of the most significant moments in the history of the company of which I am CEO. In my case, however, “CEO” does not stand for Chief Executive Officer, but for Chief Evangelist Officer: the person whose role is to imagine the future and shape the company’s long-term vision. … Read more
Last night I had dinner with a colleague. I would like to call him a friend. All the signs of intellectual and human affinity are there, but geographical distance has so far prevented us from getting to know each other more deeply. At last, we managed to arrange a dinner together. A very Italian ritual, … Read more
INTRODUCTORY NOTE This article concerns the sense of belonging, and that sense of belonging applies to every form of social organisation. In this context, discipline is simply the set of shared rules recognised by a given social group.Taken to its extreme, even the absence of discipline, when consciously shared, becomes itself a form of discipline.Indeed, … Read more
“Throw me to the wolves, and I will return leading the pack.” (This line is widely misattributed to Seneca.Its origin is modern, but its message on resilience and leadership remains sound.) “Thrown to the wolves” is the moment when status collapses and reality speaks.Titles vanish. Favour fades.What remains is character, skill, and the ability to … Read more
“Horror vacui“, Latin for “fear of empty space”, began as an aesthetic category.But, as often happens, it did not remain confined within frames for long. At first it is art. Then it becomes behaviour.Originally, it describes an almost compulsive urge to fill every available space: no margins, no pauses, no visual silence. From Baroque art … Read more
“Conversational implicature” is one of those invisible mechanisms that hold human communication together.It is not what we say, but what we allow the other person to understand without saying it. Consider the dialogue: “A. Where is Charles?”“B. There is a yellow Volkswagen outside Anne’s house.” It does not work on a logical level, yet it … Read more
In Italian, the phrase “O sei ricco o sei rocco” works because of the assonance between “ricco” and “rocco”. The two words differ by a single vowel, yet they evoke entirely different forms of power. The sound similarity makes the contrast sharper, almost playful, while the meaning underneath is anything but light. “Rich” (ricco) is … Read more
“Hurry up and wait” is one of those expressions that compresses an entire institutional culture into four words. It was widely used in the Royal Navy and later in the United States Navy to describe a familiar rhythm of military life: urgent mobilisation followed by long, immobile anticipation. Orders arrive. Everything must be done immediately. … Read more
In recent times, across social networks and chats, a curious pseudo-Latin abbreviation has appeared: “etm”, used in contexts where one would normally find “etc.”. According to some, it stands for “et merda”, that is, “and shit”, placed at the end of a list to give the same flavour as the more straightforward English “and shit”, … Read more
“You must have the courage to do what is right, whatever the risk.It is the only way to live with yourself.” (Attribution uncertain; sometimes attributed to Capt. Lawrence Chambers) This quote, in its simplicity, recalls an ancient principle: moral courage is required to do what is right, even when it involves risks, pressure, or unpleasant … Read more
• Brits call it “the Beast from the East”• Germans call it “der Sibirische Bär” (the Siberian Bear)• Americans call it “Snowmageddon”• Canadians call it “Monday” (because it is nothing special)• Nordics call it “Thursday” (and ask if you are alright)• Russians call it “весна” (vesna: spring)• Poles call it “zima” (winter)• Spaniards call it … Read more
A fool only learns from his own mistakes.The wise man learns from the mistakes of others.(Otto von Bismarck)Otto, Prince of Bismarck, Count of Bismarck-Schönhausen, Duke of Lauenburg (born Otto Eduard Leopold von Bismarck; 1815–1898) was a Prussian statesman and diplomat who oversaw the unification of Germany. Bismarck’s Realpolitik and firm governance resulted in him being … Read more
The French expression “Après moi, le déluge” survives because it captures a familiar human reflex with ruthless clarity. The literal translation is simple: “After me, the deluge.” Older English sometimes makes the attitude explicit:“When I am dead, the deluge can come for all I care.” In modern terms:“I will take what I want now. Whatever … Read more
Research in psycholinguistics and social psychology shows that the use of different languages can be associated with consistent variations in behaviour, emotional expression, and modes of self presentation among bilingual and multilingual individuals. Numerous empirical studies indicate that each language tends to activate specific cultural frameworks, together with social norms, communicative conventions, and patterns of … Read more
In Sicilian one says “accattari un picciriddu”: literally, “to buy a child”. An expression that, to modern ears, may sound amusing or disorienting. Yet behind those seemingly improper words lies a precise linguistic history and an ancient way of understanding birth. The verb “accattari” did not originally mean “to buy”. In older language and in … Read more
“Pereunt et imputantur”“The hours pass and are accounted for.” It is a Latin expression that reminds us of the importance of not wasting time and of making it fruitful, one of the most famous phrases engraved on ancient sundials. Its meaning is clear and relentless: time does not merely flow, it accumulates on our account. … Read more
(Inspired by a post by “Heritance Italy”) If you have ever wondered how Italians consistently manage to find good food, the answer is disarmingly simple: we almost never check reviews. Not because we distrust technology, but because we trust something older, sharper and infinitely more reliable — instinct, observation and a lifetime of culinary literacy. … Read more