Some really great discussion at the Network and Grow event 'Let Them Eat Cake' on Tuesday this week, reflecting on the importance of emotional intelligence in maintaining business success.
The big revelation for me creating this event was just how similar the events leading up to the French Revolution are to events in the UK over the past few years.
What do you think?
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1774, Louis XVI’s ascension welcomed by population hoping for better times after years of poor government
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Early crisis caused by ill-considered deregulation of grain laws led to hoarding & artificially high prices
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King & associates lived extravagant lives out of touch with reality of the general population
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Support for the American war of independence placed additional strain on treasury
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Wealthiest exempt from tax - poorest bore burden, which was insufficient for needs, leading to financial deficit
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Attempts to introduce fairer tax rejected by nobility leading to government U turns & revolving door of finance ministers
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Poor harvests resulted in food shortages, inflation was rampant & ordinary people were starving
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King’s popularity diminished by personal indecision & scandals involving queen (Marie-Antoinette)
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Relationships with other European powers strained - Austrian alliance deeply unpopular
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Philosophy of Enlightenment was beginning to challenge status quo & the notion of an absolute monarch
