Creating Enlightened Organisations
I’m curious about leadership and it’s potential to make a real difference in our lives – from the micro-level of families and communities, right through to the macro-level of nations and international partnerships. But I’ve always struggled to define it clearly. At least, to distinguish between leadership for good and leadership for… well, less good. … Read more Beyond Self-Interest: What is Leadership Really?
I learned how to make someone cry yesterday. Not because I learned some nasty words, or a painful torture technique, but because I learned the true power of listening. Listening not just to the words that are said, but the words that are not said. And the essence behind the words that are said. Someone … Read more The Critical Leadership Skill Most Leaders Don’t Have
Leadership myths emerge because most of us experience ‘leadership’ for the first time in the workplace. We may have been ‘experiencing’ leadership all our lives – our parents, our teachers, our sports team captains… but until someone puts a label on it, we don’t know quite what it is. Consequently, our view of leadership was informed … Read more Five Leadership Myths and How They’ll Trip You Up
“Chains of habit are too light to be felt until they are too heavy to be broken.” ~ Warren Buffett Many of us take the opportunity during the Christmas/New Year break to reflect on the year that was, and to make resolutions for the coming year. I’m super excited because under my Christmas tree this … Read more The Five Winning Habits of Successful Leaders
“…those who divide the world into two kinds of people and…” you get the picture. One of my son’s favourite bedtime stories is “The Sneetches” by Dr. Seuss. He particularly enjoys the scene where the Star-belly Sneetches and the Plain-belly Sneetches are racing around: “Changing their stars every minute or two. They kept paying money. They kept … Read more Two Kinds of People in the World… Which are you?
“Corporate culture matters. How management chooses to treat its people impacts everything – for better or for worse.” ~ Simon Sinek Workplaces are made up of people. And people are, well… people. And people can be motivated and driven by invisible and incomprehensible forces… Our brains don’t work the same, and yet we expect other … Read more Complaining, Gossip, Sarcasm and Other Office Ailments
All that glisters is not gold– Often have you heard that told. Many a man his life hath sold But my outside to behold. ~ William Shakespeare A few days ago I caught up with a very dear friend and former colleague for coffee. We haven’t seen each other for about two years, but as … Read more Value Vs Status: Attain Fulfilment By Finding Your Niche
“Our diversity is our strength. What a dull and pointless life it would be if everyone was the same.” ~ Angelina Jolie I have been trialling a new tool with some of my coaching clients, and I wanted to share a couple of observations with you about the breathtaking beauty of diversity. And the extent … Read more Diversity: The Power of Multiple Perspectives
“A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.” ~ Jackie Robinson It’s been a tough week this week. Or maybe I should say a busy week. I’m trying to find my ‘why’. If you’ve seen it lying about somewhere, please let me know! I feel like the lack of … Read more Maximising your Impact – Personal, Professional, Global
People often ask me about the books I read. Specifically, they want to know what leadership books I’d recommend – there are so many! Usually I try and curate a list on the spot based on what I know about the person who is asking, but I almost always miss something. There are already lots of “Leaders’ … Read more 5 Books you Must Read if you Consider Yourself a Leader
“There is no decision that we can make that doesn’t come with some sort of balance or sacrifice” ~ Simon Sinek Returning to work after the birth of our son is one of the hardest things I’ve ever done in my life. But not for any of the reasons that I expected. I expected to … Read more Work/Life Balance: A Perfectionist’s Folly