Margaret Heffernan
Margaret Heffernan
Full Name and Common Aliases
Margaret Heffernan is a British-American author, speaker, and former television producer.
Birth and Death Dates
Born: 1956 (exact date not publicly available)
Status: Active and alive as of the last public update
Nationality and Profession(s)
Heffernan holds dual nationality, being both British and American. Her professional background includes author, speaker, and former television producer.
Early Life and Background
Margaret Heffernan's early life is not extensively documented in the public domain. However, it can be inferred that her upbringing played a significant role in shaping her perspective on business, leadership, and social dynamics. As a British-American, she has likely been exposed to diverse cultures and viewpoints from an early age.
Major Accomplishments
Heffernan's career is marked by several notable accomplishments:
She began her career in the UK before transitioning to television production in the US.
Heffernan produced the documentary series "How to Start Your Own Country," which explores unconventional approaches to entrepreneurship and governance.
Her book, "The Underestimated Sex: Gender as a Factor in Success," examines how societal expectations influence individual success.Notable Works or Actions
Some of her notable works include:
"They All Must Be Lying": How Competition for Talent and Market Share Distorts the Workplace (2004) - This book critiques traditional notions of business competition, suggesting that they can be detrimental to organizational health.
"Women on the Move: A Guide to Career Change for Women (2003)" - Heffernan co-authored this guide with others, providing practical advice for women navigating career changes.Impact and Legacy
Margaret Heffernan's work has had a significant impact on how people think about business, leadership, and social dynamics. Her insights have been widely cited in academic and professional circles:
She challenges conventional wisdom on competition, productivity, and the role of women in the workplace.
Her writings have been praised for their thought-provoking perspectives and engaging storytelling.Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Margaret Heffernan's quotes are often sought after because she offers fresh, provocative insights that challenge readers to rethink their assumptions about business and society. Her ability to synthesize complex ideas into compelling narratives has made her a respected voice in the fields of leadership, entrepreneurship, and social commentary.
Heffernan's influence extends beyond her written works; she is also an accomplished speaker who has shared her perspectives with audiences worldwide:
She regularly appears on television programs, discussing topics related to business, technology, and politics.
* Her TED Talks have been viewed millions of times, cementing her reputation as a thought leader.
Margaret Heffernan's contributions to the world of business, leadership, and social commentary have left an indelible mark.
Quotes by Margaret Heffernan
Customers who have to come back and spend, or customers who just don’t want the hassle of leaving – those are the ones who are most worth attracting.
I don’t think a true company – one that builds sustainable value – can ever only exist online or remotely.
On overnight flights, I have trained myself to get to sleep almost instantly after takeoff. I always listen to the same audiobook on my iPod so my brain knows, regardless of time zone, that that voice means it’s time for bed.
As a mother, I work hard every day and I expect that work to be recognized and appreciated. Because I work for and with human beings, sometimes they’re grateful and sometimes they aren’t.
The best remote companies I’ve seen do almost everything online, via email and telephone. But they also get together face to face on a regular basis.
If the company depends entirely on you – your creativity, ingenuity, inspiration, salesmanship or charisma – nobody will want to buy it. The risk and the dependency are too great.
Huge open source organizations like Red Hat and Mozilla manage the collaboration of hundreds of people who don’t know one another and have spent no time hanging around the water cooler.
We know – intellectually – that confronting an issue is the only way to resolve it. But any resolution will disrupt the status quo. Given the choice between conflict and change on the one hand, and inertia on the other, the ostrich position can seem very attractive.