Leadership, in its essence, is not only about action, but also about reflection, a continuous quest to understand oneself, others and the world.
As leaders, we are often called upon to navigate ambiguity, make decisions that affect countless lives and remain steadfast in the face of uncertainty.
“Philosophical Insights” offers a space to step away from the demands of daily responsibilities and grapple with timeless questions: What is the purpose of our work? How do we define true success? What does it mean to lead a life of value and integrity?
This section draws on the wisdom of great thinkers and the universal truths that have guided humanity for centuries.
From meditations on resilience and humility to reflections on ambition and the nature of existence, these quotes challenge us to look beyond the surface and consider the deeper motivations and values that shape our choices.
In moments of doubt or decision, philosophy provides us with a compass, a stable guide that helps us align our actions with our principles.
As you explore this section, may these insights be a source of clarity, inspiration, and introspection.
We are used to thinking of competition as comparing ourselves with others (rectius: competing against them!). Who comes first, who earns more, who achieves the best result.In short: what matters is coming out on top. It is a simple, immediate and readily visible way of looking at things.But an incomplete one. We can beat others … Read more
Siamo abituati a pensare alla competizione come a un confronto con altri (rectius: contro altri!). Chi arriva prima, chi guadagna di più, chi ottiene il risultato migliore.Insomma: importa prevalere. È una visione semplice, immediata, visibile.Ma incompleta. Possiamo battere gli altri e avere comunque fatto peggio di ieri.Possiamo arrivare primi, ma in una competizione modesta, e … Read more
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
I have always cultivated hobbies. At different stages of my life, I have read compulsively, played video games, written software, assembled computers, studied languages, explored obscure subjects, and devoted countless hours to activities that many people would have considered pointless. I have never been under the illusion that everyone would understand these passions. In fact, … 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
At first glance, it seems like a paradox. In reality, it is a statement of method.Becoming an adult is inevitable.Becoming young, however, is a choice. Biological youth is a phase.Mental youth is a discipline. Over time, we accumulate experience, structure, responsibility.All of this is necessary and useful. But it carries a silent risk, rigidity: And … Read more
When people tell you that in adulthood problems come one after another, do not believe them … they all arrive at once. And they show up without formal notice: fiscal, operational, family, health, relational.Each with “non-deferrable” urgency.Each convinced it has absolute strategic priority. The real surprise of adulthood is not complexity. It is simultaneity. When … 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
“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
“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
A dear friend of mine has found himself today in a situation that is authentically “Pirandellian” (as in Luigi Pirandello, 1934 Literature Nobel Laureate). A cyber-attack has caused him to lose his main social media account, the one through which he used to speak to the world. That account was tied to an alias, and … Read more
Money cannot buy happiness… but cannoli can, and you can buy those.
And this is where philosophy meets pastry-making.
Because, while it is true that happiness cannot be found on supermarket shelves, it is equally true that some simple pleasures have surprising power: they lift your mood, lighten your day and melt away accumulated tension.
Each man lives to rise or fall before the challenges set in his path. Fate brings trials; it is reason and will that must respond.To rise is not triumph, nor is to fall disgrace.What matters is how we endure the test. And we must take care:“He who fights with monsters must be careful not to … Read more
Today I spoke at a conference in Poland, sharing insights from my specific field: the engineering, inspection, and maintenance of giant wind rotor blades.
Among the presentations, one particularly stood out — a talk on the 6R philosophy, a modern evolution of sustainability principles that goes far beyond the familiar “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.”
“It is not by muscle, speed, or physical dexterity that great things are achieved, but by reflection, force of character, and judgment.”(Cicero) Strength can move matter, speed accelerates motion, and skill executes — yet none provide meaning or direction. Reflection offers clarity, character supplies resolve, and judgment bridges thought with action. Together, they turn ability … Read more