Who isn’t curious about life inside a buzzy beehive and the miracle that turns sunshine and flowers in a meadow to a beautiful jar of honey spread on toast?
In this fascinating and fun book, Philip Atkinson, Organisational Coach and Beekeeper, lifts the lid on what happens inside a hard-working hive and uses this as a refreshing metaphor to examine working life.
Thought-provoking insights like these . . .
- Bees have seven different jobs and only fly for the last few days of their life
- Bees swarm to a new location and take time to seek second opinions from each other (and might disagree) – but when a decision is taken the bees all agree to stand by that decision
- Male bees are no longer necessary at the end of the summer and they are murdered by the female worker bees so as not to be a drain on resources in the winter
. . . bring a fresh perspective to many of the most pressing challenges you face in leadership and organisations today.
The book is structured through the yearly cycle with 12 chapters focusing on a lesson. Each lesson invites you to learn from the bees and reflect on your own role as a leader and role-model.
Inside the hive the bees work as a collaborative community – just as in this innovative book – where Philip has invited 12 Guest Writers to share their reflections and perspectives on each chapter.
If you want to keep learning and improving how you, your team, and business operate then this book is for you.
The beehive is the ultimate business case study for working life today.
Read on for the Buzz Buzz you need!
PRAISE FOR BEE WISE
“I couldn’t resist – but what a buzz this book is! Philip's passion and expertise shines through, as well as the inspired idea to invite twelve guest writers to add their perspective to the dialogue. They add real, grounded, relevant and sweet-as-honey insights. Bravo to all the industrious, diligent, clever and purposeful community involved. Gosh they sound like bees!”
—Caroline Barth, Chief Human Resources Officer at Syngenta Group
“What a powerful and insightful read. The bee metaphor is such an elegant way to introduce these 12 essential topics for leaders today.”
—Carrie Scott, Global Head of Sustainability and ESG Office, Novartis
“This is both a fun and thought-provoking look at leadership and life today. I keep dipping into different seasons and chapters, and each time I'm left with something to apply immediately or keep thinking about.”
—Nora Galli, Gulf and Channel Partners Network Lead Roche Diagnostics Middle East
“Bee Wise is a deep and practical look at who we are as humans, leaders, parents and role models with a responsibility to stop, pause and think about how we show up in the world today. It is full of real experience, devoid of jargon, and a very good read.
—Charles Style, Former Commandant of The Royal College of Defence Studies
“What a fresh and inspiring look at leadership today!”
—Pippa Edwards. Atlantic Rower and Leadership Coach
“This book represents a fresh look at beekeeping and life today and provides a greater insight to the life of bees and how we must support and protect them and give people the opportunity to work together with them in harmony.”
—Megan Denver, CEO Bees for Development Charity
“I was curious to learn more from the first line. Chapter 6 on continuous learning was really thought-provoking. It was fun to learn about bees' own 'career progression' and to apply that to our own situations.”
—Simon Brown, Global Partner Talent, EY. Author of the Curious Advantage
