When we can’t tell the client we don’t quite get what they want, so we plough on half cocked – they might think we are dumb? When we can’t ask the team for help as they’ll think we are a weak link. When we can’t mention someones great work, in...
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It is not only the hostility of others that may prevent us from questioning the status quo. Our doubt can be fuelled by an internal sense that group opinions must have a sound basis, even when we are not sure what this basis may be, often because they have been...
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“What is the Managers job? It is to direct the resources and efforts of the business towards opportunities for economically significant results. This sounds trite – and it is. But every analysis of actual allocation of resources and efforts in business that I have ever seen or heard showed clearly...
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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...
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There is a sign in the Care home that my mother resided in that read ‘Everyone has the right of freedom and with freedom comes risk’. To attempt to give the residents a good life, many with dementia, it was understood that trying to protect them from every risk would...
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I had a row with my wife last night. Of course, we were both right – except I was more right than Talane… This morning, having collected my thoughts in the cold light of the gym, I realised winning this argument and ‘being right’ was really a losing strategy. I,...
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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...
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Measuring your progress against what is left to be done and what’s next can be uninspiring and downright demotivating. Notice how the horizon always moves away from you as you walk or sail towards it? It is far healthier, accurate and spirit lifting to measure progress against how far you...
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You need to be pretty fit to chase security. Most of what is considered secure is transient and a moving target: A secure job (one where you won’t get sacked, moved, overlooked or transferred) Secure relationships (those where you know exactly where the other person is heading, thinking or that...
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The trite answer to whether you should follow the corporate rule book or organisational norms is ‘of course not’. But that’s too simple (and trite!). Rules are guidelines for the wise and shackles for the fool. Therefore, there is no definitive answer other than don’t just take one position. Break...
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