This workshop adapted themes and methods used in two of the School's programmes: Biography, a multi-session course for the Sloan Fellows, and the Proteus Programme. The former focuses mainly on mid-career transitions; the latter on the legacy of leaders. These themes were woven together in a workshop that invited participants to draw their lifeline and reflect on the forces and factors that have shaped their journey.

1. Biography & Legacy: A
Workshop
Professor Nigel Nicholson
London Business School

2. Introduction
• This workshop adapted themes and methods used in
two of the School’s programmes: Biography, a multi-
session course for the Sloan Fellows, and the
Proteus Programme. The former focuses mainly on
mid-career transitions; the latter on the legacy of
leaders. These themes were woven together in a
workshop that invited participants to draw their lifeline
and reflect on the forces and factors that have
shaped their life journey.
• Take the chance to reflect on choices and changes to
come, in conversations with your alumni fellow
travellers on the road, and your answer to the
question “Who am I and why I am here”.

3. THE PROTEUS CHALLENGE One World
One Life Now What?

4. Books by Professor Nigel Nicholson

6. The “I” of Leadership
Evolution, Strategy &
Self-Management
Nigel Nicholson

7. Life as a Journey of Transitions
Stable Changeful
Chosen A. B. Sailing
Moored in
harbour
Not C. Ship- D.
Chosen wrecked Following
the river
“Chance favours the prepared mind” Louis Pasteur
© Nigel Nicholson, London Business School

8. Biography
The Crossroads between Destiny and Drama
Destiny Deliberation Drama
Inner and Outer
Choices & Events
Forces
Awarenes Choices: Moments of
Inner: Drivers, flaws, truth, critical
themes, attributes, s
decisions
zemblanity Reflection
Events: Acts of the gods,
Outer: Significant others, Timing chaos, serendipity,
events and pressures Risk hazards &
of one’s location in opportunities
history and geography
© Nigel Nicholson, London Business School

9. Jane Austen: novelist, satirist
Destiny
•Gender
•Parenting
•Ego strength
Drama
•Parsonage milieu
•Marriage offer
•Move to Bath
Deliberation
•Secret writing
•Refusal of marriage
•Letters
© Nigel Nicholson, London Business School

10. Warren Buffet: investor, financial sage
Destiny
•Numerical gifts
•Parenting
•The Depression
Drama
•Columbia professor
•Charlie Munger
•Salomon role
Deliberation
•Golf ball business
•Business model
•Astrid & others
© Nigel Nicholson, London Business School

11. Duke Ellington: composer,
bandleader
Destiny
•Pampered
•Gifted
•Sunny
Drama
•Chosen to lead
•Found Billy Strayhorn
•Music culture change
Deliberation
•College dropout
•Inclusive strategy
•Teambuilding
© Nigel Nicholson, London Business School

12. Steve Jobs: innovator,
entrepreneur
Destiny
•Adoption
•Personality
•Silicon Valley
Drama
•Wozniak
•John Scully
•India
Deliberation
•Reed college
•Pixar
•Design & Ives
© Nigel Nicholson, London Business School

13. Self-regulation: How we control our
experience The Executive Ego
Willpower, Reflection, Control &
Stress
The Goal System
Deep universal goals; Local & personal
goals
Perceived interests & needs
Perceptions of the Self
Perceptions of Reality Self-image, identity & memory:
Awareness & beliefs about how Material, Social, Psychological
the world works Selves
The Action System
Routines, habits & beliefs
about how to work the
world
© Nigel Nicholson, London Business School

14. Questions for Self-
Management
What battles for self-control &
self-discipline do you face?
How have your goals/priorities
changed? How are they changing
now? How do you expect them to
change in the future?
How has your view of the
world and the way it works How has your view of
changed? How is changing yourself changed – physical;
now? social and psychological?
What new habits,
heuristics and ways of
acting have you been
developing?
© Nigel Nicholson, London Business School

15. Legacy
The It’s a Wonderful Life
Question
make?
What difference did I
Tasks Institutions
Projects Initiatives
Family Relationshi
Friends ps
Groups
Artefacts Virtue
Creations Giving
© Nigel Nicholson, London Business School

16. V-I-P Integration
The inspirational
challenge
Vision Identity
Possible Futures Core Capability
Value Unique
Proposition ALIGNMENT Attributes
Passion
Drivers
The Story
© Nigel Nicholson, London Business School

17. The Story of You
Your Journey to Now
Biography
THE STORY
WHO AM I AND WHY I AM HERE
Legacy
Your Promise to the
Future
© Nigel Nicholson, London Business School

18. The Nicholson Dictum
“Only the system that knows itself
can take control of its own
destiny”
© Nigel Nicholson, London Business School

19. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE!