At the heart of it there are two reasons why relationships, why collaborations fail: We don’t know or understand ourselves. We don’t know or understand other people. We don’t understand or know ourselves. From the inside out, we probably think we are pretty low maintenance, easy to get on with,...
Read More
What consistently happens in the tea room, at breaks in conferences and in the car on the way home from work? Gossip. Humans gossip. We seemingly take compelling pleasure in talking ill of others and spreading the word about those who are deemed scoundrels, untrustworthy, wasters or downright dangerous. From...
Read More
At the risk of Rugby World Cup clichés… Lets say England are 12-0 up at half time. Stuart Lancaster will hold a half time team talk – the principle intent to ensure that the current margin of victory is held and or built on. Lets say England are 0-12 down...
Read More
The very fact that we call a pause in conversation an ‘awkward silence’ points to a root belief that inhibits our ability to really listen, create rich conversations and hear well. Awkward, therefore bad, therefore needs correcting, therefore fill that space as quick as we can. Nature abhors a vacuum...
Read More
I have had some awesome advice over the years, some of it I even acted upon… The ‘trouble’ with me is I really take advice to heart when I’m ready for it and I ask for it – versus being told what to do or lectured with “you don’t wanna...
Read More
When you are the arbiter of peoples future; promotion, salary, workload, direction, well-being there is no such thing as a trivial comment. EVERYTHING you say leaves a mark, let’s be clear on that. Like the vessel ploughing through the ocean, there is always a wake. You leave a wake behind...
Read More
The result you want is that people get right into straight, direct and to the point conversation. Holding meetings where we try to winkle issues out without preparation is like nailing jelly to the ceiling – lots of energy expended and little to show for it. Have the Team prepare...
Read More
“I argue very well. Ask any of my remaining friends. I can win an argument on any topic, against any opponent. People know this, and steer clear of me at parties. Often, as a sign of their great respect, they don’t even invite me.” Dave Barry, Pulitzer Prize-winning author It’s...
Read More
Being open and honest is pretty much up there as a must have in any relationship or team – that is serious about itself and its goals. How you do it is another matter. Open and honest relationships are a work in progress. Think of it as a journey not...
Read More
“I used to have horrible cars, because I never had any money, so I’d always end up broken down on the highway. When I stood there trying to flag someone down, nobody stopped. But when I pushed my own car, other drivers would get out and push with me. If...
Read More