Blog
Every leader everywhere is making hard decisions in the face of uncertainty. No one wants to deliver bad news that puts people in an even harder situation. Yet, this is what is happening. It’s a tough burden to carry. Let’s take stock of what can help.
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Read MoreI am guessing this is not what you signed up for: leading through a global crisis with a river of unknowns to cross. No doubt something new is needed. We need to adjust and acclimatise. This is not going away in a hurry.
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Read MoreMindset is all the rage; growth mindset vs fixed mindset, start up mindset, fail forward fast mindset. It’s rubbish! Mindset is a by-product, not a starting point. Stop trying to fix your mindset!
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Read MoreHow much structure do you have in your day? Chances are you could do with more. The more structure we have, the more freedom we can experience. Structure takes out a lot of decision-making and allows us to focus on what matters most. Here are some insights into different types of structure.
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Read MoreWe have a pretty terrible relationship to feedback. We’re afraid of it. We feel wounded by it. We can use it as a weapon. No wonder many would advocate for giving feedback under cover of being anonymous. Well-intentioned mechanisms like this can wreck a culture, not encourage it. Here’s what to do.
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Read MoreAs leaders we want to have a positive impact. We show up to influence. How we go about doing that can be challenging. We are not taught the subtle art of influencing. Much of what we know is in popular media, and this is not always the best example. Here is a trap to avoid.
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Read MoreCollaboration is all the rage. We’re meant to work together for common goals, share ideas, and emerge triumphant. The reality is often different. Simmering tensions and silos can be real obstacles. Let’s look at reasons for resistance, and tactics to dissolve them.
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Read MoreInfluence is at the heart of leadership. If we take stewardship of a group to create a better future, we need influence skills to harness the brilliance of its participants. Getting buy in for our own brilliant ideas can be a challenge. There are some core obstacles we need to be aware of if we are to succeed.
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Read MoreDo you like Mondays? Culture has everything to do with whether or not Mondays are a drag or delicious. This week I’ve got a podcast episode coming out interviewing Colin Ellis on his insights around creating a great culture. In the meantime, here is a great starting point - writing a culture manifesto.
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Read MoreWhen we change the way we look at things, the things we look at don’t change - we do. I believe in the power of perspective for better leadership. In this article, we look at how a simple shift can alter a lifetime of pain.
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Read MoreI’m an avid book worm. A bit of an addict really. I spend an extraordinary amount of money on Kindle books. Some are good, some are awesome! Here I share some of the top books that helped me shift my game in 2019 that are totally worth re-visiting this year, and into the future.
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Read MoreLooking for some good stuff to listen to on your drive or workout? I did some awesome podcast episodes this year, and thought it would be great to showcase them in case you missed them. Enjoy!
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Read MoreLooking for some good reads? I’ve captured my best writing from 2019 to help you boost your leadership focus. Enjoy!
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Read MoreEnd of year means a few things: celebration, downtime, parties, food, rest, recovery. It should also include REFLECTION and PLANNING. It’s one of my favourite times to take stock. Every year since 2002 I have developed and shared a new reflection and planning tool. I’m thrilled with this year’s edition. Free resource, no opt-in required, share abundantly. Enjoy!
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Read MoreImagine floating in your space suit, tethered to a small cylinder floating in space. You look down at the earth, and your life is forever changed. This is what happened to Rusty Schweickart in 1969 on the Apollo 9 mission. He floated, he awakened, he returned down to earth. Here’s what we can learn.
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Read MoreEver feel like you don’t fit? You don’t belong? A black sheep? What if you could experience something different? What if you always felt like you belonged? What would change for you then?
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Read MoreHave you ever been caught off-guard by someone’s message to you? Words are volatile things and they can be devastating. How do we navigate the turmoil of an emotional fallout?
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Read MoreMotivation is a tricky thing. When we have it, it feels great! All in and let’s go. When we don’t have it, every day drags on like a two-legged dog. How do we motivate others when we don’t feel motivated ourselves? Let’s look at the causes, then solutions.
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Warrior Leaders are the epitome of courage and strength. They embody a cultural archetype of the hero. The shadow side brings forth all sorts of problems. They develop Win First cultures, and divide people between Us and Them. If we aspire to build a more inclusive and peaceful culture, let’s focus on how we can BUILD (not just WIN) at work, and how we can INCLUDE (and not EXCLUDE).
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Wouldn’t it be nice to cherry pick the best parts of your top performers? The charisma of Janet with the quality work of James? The genius of Tania with the easy going nature of Josh? Does such a well-rounded entity exist? Sadly, no. But we can learn to manage the shadow and light of each.
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