Blog
Take a look at recent insights in leadership, strategy and more.
How much does it take to “be there” for someone?
We appreciate the value of knowing we can contact someone when things are difficult; knowing that that person will “be there” for us. What does it really take to do this? We might imagine it involves sharing the burden of the problem, and so shy away from the load. In...
Did Andy Murray struggle with tears because he lost or because we cared?
Wimbledon... Andy Murray is expected to speak on live TV to millions of people having just lost to Roger Federer in the final, and struggles to compose himself as you can see here if you missed it at the time. Some commentators wrote that he was in tears because he...
The power of exploring what they like
He says that type of equipment “doesn’t cut it.” So we ask “what’s wrong with that type of equipment?” The open question prompts him to expand on the problems. (Notice we didn’t ask why. More on that key piece below.) But we soon realize we can do better. We’re...
Change yourself, change your company
If you don’t have authority to instruct change (do you ever?), here’s a way to look at what needs to happen... 1. Build rapport with a larger and larger set of people within the entity you hope to influence. 2. Then, as you change yourself, the rapport group you’re...
Just because it’s a snappy phrase doesn’t mean it’s true
We love sayings like these... “Many hands make light work” “The more you tell the more you sell.” “What gets measured gets done.” They certainly sound convincing. But are they true? In most cases, yes and no. You can usually find another clever phrase that states the...
Vulnerability or openness? And why it matters
If we show vulnerability, we will attract other people and they will respond to our leadership, or so it is often said. I think it’s better to use another word: Openness. Being open is the key. Yes, vulnerability is a consequence of being open, but being open is a...
Is slow adaptation the price we pay for democracy?
In the West in particular, we believe in democracy, almost without thinking, but is it being abused? You see... When we elect a leader, we need them to lead, even if, in fact, we don’t like the consequences for us very much. That’s their job - to lead. That’s what we...
Don’t blame me. It was my iPhone/iPad/Blackberry wot did it
Have you noticed? We're blaming our handheld devices... "Please forgive the typos. I'm an innocent victim of my evil iThang. Please work out for yourself what I really meant because I haven't got time." And in true blaming style, we’re using automated signatures to...
A customer service question – What would you do? Plus an invitation
(Please see below for an invitation to a new LinkedIn Discussion group - Change for Leaders.) It’s lunchtime. We’re in a city hotel. A single receptionist is checking in guests. No sign of a concierge. A line has formed. One in the queue has a pre-arranged meeting...
Is it ideal that you enjoy everything you do?
We tend to think that if we align everything we do with what we want to do our results will be better simply because we’re content to be engaged actively in all the tasks. But it isn’t necessarily so easy... When we find a deeper sense of purpose, or if you like, a...
Banter – Harmful or helpful?
The host pokes a little fun at the participants. It’s part of an elaborate pattern, you might even say a ritual, in some ways intended to lighten the mood. Trouble is, those at the receiving end feel a little intimidated and may think twice about contributing to the...
How much needs to be right for results to flow?
Take a computer program: Essentially every single byte (or character in the source code) has to be right for the software to function correctly. Or think of a product development project: Pretty much all the pieces have to be correctly executed before the new product...
How conscious are you of your cultural imprint?
The speaker presents a prescription based on a profound understanding of human beings. That’s the way it seems to me anyway. Some listeners find what’s said challenging, and reject the messages, saying it’s all very “American”. (This scene is in the UK, needless to...
Authenticity is the key to powerful connection with others
Can you stop the leaks? ...or is there a better answer? Authenticity—being real—is the key to powerful connection with others. As human beings, we are highly adept at sensing lack of authenticity. And yet, it’s surprising how many individuals and organizations behave...
What’s the difference between an answer and an essential condition for success?
The contributors round the table are, in turns, articulate and persuasive in their advocacy of their particular way of looking at the problem and their approach to its solution. After all, their understanding really has helped them solve significant problems in the...