My Library
People are my library, my writing inspired by what I learn: ideas, inspiration, wisdom, and sometimes some eclectic whimsy for good measure, all centred around #OpenLeadership. At the heart of all of this is that I write to share learnings and to discover my thoughts. Over the years i have written (mostly) daily, over 2000 posts and 1,000,000 words (that last part blows my mind, tbh!). Enjoy browsing.
These are the better days
A few days ago a client was in London on business and they came down to my small suburb on the southern edge of London and we went for a walk for a couple of hours then an early dinner. The weather was not the best as the "pathetic drizzle" attempted to dampen things,...
These are the better days
We spend our whole lives searching for better days. These are the better days.
Truly taking time with others
Panorama of Edinburgh to the North, December 25th, 2019 Taking Time with others this Holiday season. In the English language, we have the phrase "spending time", which infers that taking time is a "cost" that we "spend". In business and leadership, I hear so often...
The secret of happiness
On this Christmas Day and for a few days either side, I'm around family and we've all agreed to not buy gifts other than for some of the children and to keep things simple. Sometimes simple is best, reminded of this from Socrates: "The secret of happiness, you see, is...
Do Better
Yes, I know it is Christmas Eve and this is a season for joy and merriment among friends and family. However, this is also a time in the UK when, on a daily basis, we are seeing either first hand or right in front of us in the media, racism in all its ugliness....
How to do a reference check
How to do a reference check: “What feedback could you give me to be the best manager for her I could be?” "Awesome thread. Humility, Open-Ness and Confidence. A powerful combination in service of others." My thoughts when I retweeted a thread about receiving a...
When You’re Liminal and You Don’t Know It.
Liminal is relating to a transitional or initial stage of a process. Chip Conley has inspired me for many years, but recently for the first time he has also been my editor, for yesterday's guest post on the new "Wisdom Well" of daily writings from the Modern Elder...
Be careful how you slow down
Do you know how to slow down safely? Be careful how you slow down - you don't want to crash and get sick. Have you, or anyone you know, ever "crashed" as you stop for the Christmas Holidays? Got sick as soon as you stopped work, then suffered through the start of the...
Do you need to be challenged?
This week a very observant friend noted that I need to be challenged, so having people in my life who challenge me is good for me. They noted that I have a big brain and know lots of stuff, so it is good for me to be challenged on my thoughts. A great reminder to have...
What will you do differently in 2020?
What will you do differently in 2020? Today I'll help you muse on that, hoping to inspire your innate curiosity for self and your business. As we come to the end of the year, rather than wait until January to think about this, I recommend you start thinking about this...
Fear and Presence
What are you afraid of, and what does it mean for how Present you can be if you are Fearful versus without fear? Warning, going deep with this post! Please bear with me, I hope the "payoff" at the end is of value to you. Jerry Colonna, Non-Attachment and Fear This...
Better Human, Better Leader
Be a better human by being open, vulnerable and supportive of your people, which will make you a better leader. Teachings from Jerry Colonna. Yesterday evening I had the great pleasure of being at an intimate gathering at the H Club to hear from Jerry Colonna, hosted...
What do you believe about money?
Among the most common themes that I find come up for leaders is their beliefs around money. Today sharing a twitter thread from a man who I first talked to about this topic when we met on snowshoes on a mountain in the Alps. Tom Nixon is a wise man in many ways, his...
Want to meet? Let’s walk.
Today I arrived back in London early morning on an overnight flight from Cayman. It was a beautiful and sunny winter's day. I'd arranged to meet up with someone, they then had to be somewhere else in town for their next meet up. We made the most of the day by taking...