I’m Larry G. Maguire, a freelance writer from Dublin, Ireland where I live with my wife & kids. I’m 20+ years in business, an Hons Psychology graduate currently sitting an MSc in Work Psychology at DCU. I write primarily on psychology, creativity, life, work, and the pursuit of happiness. I suppose it’s a certain philosophy for living that I explore. I write for me first, for my sanity and curiosity, so if you’d like to join me I’m on The Reflectionist pretty much daily.
Most Read Stories
I’m an Introvert: Here’s What That Means 21 Ways To Boost Self-Efficacy & Achieve Your Goals…
On the subject of whether or not a limited liability company or corporation is required by law to maximise profits (usually at the expense of individual, social, & environmental responsibility)
This is a fascinating topic, one that is debated quite a bit. We like to think that we are socially responsible, and perhaps we are on a one-to-one basis. People care about people, that is. But when the chips are down, faced with profit over social responsibility, corporate leadership decision making is, I would argue, almost always towards the needs and concerns of shareholders. The need for profit is a fundamental requirement from which it is very hard to escape.
Joel Bakan, Professor of Law and the University of British Columbia and author of The Corporation and The New Corporation…
In 500 years of human development and technological advancement, has anything really changed in how we do business?
Niccolò Machiavelli was a 16th Century Italian philosopher and political commentator, best known for his 1513 work, The Prince. In this infamous work, he outlined guidance on suitable behaviour for royals and aristocrats, which essentially extended to the premise “the ends justify the means”. In other words, rulers’ immoral, cruel and criminal actions are justified if their glory and honour are preserved. Interestingly, some contemporary writers have referred to Machiavelli as the father of modern political philosophy and political science1.
Machiavelli considered the jostling for the power of Italian political leaders of the time as “a matter of fact” to…
When trying to resolve it only makes it worse.
In many ways, it seems that we don’t resolve the conflict; instead, the conflict resolves itself. I mean the significant disturbing conflict, the one that takes you to your knees, to the brink of something, that rips from you the entire essence of that which you call yourself and leaves you bewildered and maybe even suicidal.
That’s how it feels on reflection. That’s how it felt sitting at the kitchen table for two years as I tried to figure out what just happened. …
Well, who does? I mean, where do ideas come from? We can't know. The truth of the matter, I have found, is that the more I try the less capable I am. So it seems to me that ideas come of their own accord. We just need to expose ourselves to different things then wait for the "good idea" to proliferate in the darkness. (I think I'm stealing that phrase although I don't quite remember where it came from. Maybe a Carlo Rovelli book. Where did he get it? Proves a point them maybe). …
There’s something missing, there always is. So be careful who and what you trust.
When I write, I try not to preach. Although that may not always be apparent. I’m sure I’ve been sure of something at some point, and when I am, I say it with enthusiasm at the very least. But the truth is, I am not sure.
How can I be?
There is no certainty — not ultimately. There are no facts!
The support for that statement lies in the gaps between knowledge. It is that which we don’t know. The thing that hides around the next bend and will only collapse into fact when it becomes big enough to be…
An examination of Jim Collins’ Level 5 Leadership Model and the paradoxical traits required to succeed in the world of business.
Easter is symbolic for Christians everywhere, for it is said that two thousand odd years ago Jesus Christ resolved the most persistent dichotomy. That is, we cannot live until we die. Of course, what that entire story attempts to convey is the paradox in which we live. It seems that in all our striving for meaning and purpose, we believe we must be either one or the other. We certainly can’t be both, or can we?
The reality is that we are both, and in every execution of our daily work, we have an opportunity to bring both apparent ends…
“Keep it simple” — It’s supposed to be easier, but often it’s more of a challenge.
About a year ago, I did a reshuffle and clear-out of the kitchen presses. You know the story; stuff just finds its way behind doors without much planning, and before long, you’ve got useless crap everywhere. It’s disorder on top of disorder, and finding what you want is a Gordon Ramsey kitchen nightmare.
So I got to work.
I dedicated one press to herbs and spices, oils and sauces, and another press to cans and preserved foods. Seemed logical to me.
As a result, both presses previously combined were now separate, ordered, and spacious. Result!
But not for long.
Those…
The destructive nature of Hustle & the pursuit of the idealistic entrepreneurial self
It’s bright, shiny, fast, and loud. It stands out from the background of everyday normality and obscurity, and it appeals to people, mostly young people. But if like me, you have some history and a trail or two of carnage in your wake, then you know that Hustle is a bullshit ideology.
Yer man Gary what’s-his-name has built a persona and an entire corporation upon it, and although it would seem that he lives it, that’s a spoof too. He doesn’t, he can’t, and if he does, then his way of life is a product of a deep-seated neurosis rather…
Larry G. Maguire
Writer on Psychology, Philosophy, Society & Culture | Examining Happiness at Work | Slight Perfectionist | Introvert | Humanist Socialist | larrygmaguire.com
