Blog
Take a look at recent insights in leadership, strategy and more.
The importance of sifting
It’s surprising what a difference it makes, thinking over our experiences and learning. You’d imagine that if we put all that stuff into our heads the process would be automatic after that—that we could rely on our brains to process everything comprehensively; to form...
Learning our lines
We often invest a considerable amount of time learning about a new skill or way of thinking. We might read a book, for instance. But then we tend to fail to go that little bit further that would bring us a real return on our investment of time and effort: We don't...
Do relationships beat hierarchy?
In working life, we're probably conditioned to believe that an individual's behaviour towards us is mostly determined by the hierarchy of the organisation they work for. They follow the rules of that organisation with a high level of commitment. Or do they? Countless...
Just because you can tell people what to do doesn’t mean you should
It's so tempting for the "boss," especially if they are also the owner of the business to assert their authority and tell people what to do, just because they can. It feels like a right, or even just "right." That might be why they set up in business in the first...
The truth which sets us free, if we hear it
Journalist and historian, Herbert Agar (1897-1980) said: "The truth that makes people free is for the most part the truth which they prefer not to hear." (Actually, he talked about “men”, as was the way of the time, but I’ve taken it upon myself to translate his words...
Threatening with help
It’s a curious thing... People can be remarkably resistant to help: I suppose we all are, depending on the subject. “Help” can take us into painful contemplation, addressing issues that we might prefer to avoid—or at least put off to another time. Perhaps that’s why...
Review rarely seems like the most important thing to do
Review rarely—if ever—seems the most pressing thing to do: Taking a step back to reflect on our direction and to review our aims. We almost always have something clamouring for our attention right now: Something that needs to be done, if not straightaway, then pretty...
Is your self-image pulling you forward or holding you back?
We have a choice... We can ether see ourselves as a little bit less than we really are. Or we can see ourselves as just a little bit more than we really are. The first of these is the more usual choice. We probably believe it to be more socially acceptable. The...
Be yourself: Chances are good that’ll work
We’re inclined to avoid putting ourselves in situations where we might be judged. Holding back seems safer. A significant part of our being urges caution. And yet... The largest impediment to relationships of one kind or another developing is trust. In truth, we need...
Giving the same as we have received
Some collaborative endeavours depend rather exactly on us giving in equal measure to what we have received. Yet, it’s easy to forget this. In one example... Participants in a workshop gain from the patience and support of other attendees while they are the focus of...
What are you silently communicating?
Probably more than you realise—and maybe not the message you’d like to be heard. There’s nothing new about this, of course: We’ve been aware of non-verbal communication for a long time. But we’re inclined to forget just how a potent a medium it is—and generally one...
If they’re not getting along, build more process
If a group of people who are supposed to be working together aren’t, or at least not very well... We can, of course, work on their ability to relate to each other and that’s a good thing to do. However... It can also be a sign that we need to build more process; to...
Aiming for less to get more
It's a funny thing... Sometimes we need to aim for less, to get more. In leadership and management, it's tempting to demand a great deal from another person in the hope of getting some of it. Actually, we risk getting none at all if they are demoralised by the seeming...
How do you react to the phrase “I’m disappointed with how I behaved” or similar?
Last couple of years, it seems to have become common for a person or an organisation which has messed up or done something stupid to try and construct what should be an apology with a sentence that begins “I’m really disappointed that I was a xxx yesterday / or did...
Will your contacts support your progression?
If we're not to stand still, or worse, go backwards, we obviously need to keep developing: We need to progress. That means change. Now, will our existing contacts welcome that change? Some will, some won't, presumably. No doubt, most are supportive, and certainly mean...