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.
Context as a tool for choosing beer
As a Coach, long ago I learned that the key tool by far for a coach is Context, from listening to understand the context of someone we are listening to, perhaps to helping them get clear on their context by questioning and probing at different levels of context. It is...
Context as a tool for choosing beer
The key tool by far for a coach is Context. Context can be applied in almost any environment, including on helping us be clear on…
Climate Crisis. Reduce, Rebel, Now.
Great Thunberg outside the Swedish Parliament starting her school strike, September 2018 Crisis One year ago this week Greta Thunberg sat, alone, outside the Swedish parliament, to begin her Climate Crisis strike. One year later, literally millions joined her across...
The power of being positive
Recently I've been reminded about the power of being positive. I'm definitely energetic and an optimist, two traits I like to think are also grounded in pragmatism, including deep knowledge of business and finance as well as people and behaviour. Be positive, believe...
Hone your message
One evening this week I had the privilege as a GlobalScot to attend a "pitch coaching" event in London to support some Scottish businesses in honing their "pitch", with a specific focus around the London market. Before we started, I asked them specifically what they...
Where are you on the spectrum?
"Where are you on the spectrum? This could be a question that could spark all kinds of emotive reactions, particularly if the recipient sits in a space of feeling a stigma and block towards talking about anyone or anything that sits outside generalised "norms". To cut...
Prune complexity ruthlessly
Simplicity is complexity resolved. Yesterday the Supreme Court of the UK began hearing a hugely high profile constitutional case, streamed live. Such a high profile case also attracts high calibre lawyers to act on behalf of both sides. On the first morning of the...
Coming to Cayman!
Iconic image of Grand Cayman (c) Courtney Platt This week I'm doing some "KYC" administration for my business in the Cayman Islands. Contrary to some simplistic media coverage around the world, such compliance is vigorously legislated, regulated and enforced, so there...
How do you measure Purpose?
Measuring the Purpose of a Brand or Corporation such that, bridging to conventional measures such as shareholder return. "Doing good and doing well go hand in hand" After over 700 daily posts, I repeat themes here. I believe in business as a force for good, so one...
Cascading Leadership
Cascading Leadership: Engage, align, enrol We all know the model of the charismatic leader (eg Steve Jobs) who has a powerful vision and, almost messianically, is able to both engage and align everyone in their organisation around this so...
Is a one day sabbatical long enough?
Yesterday was the 700th daily post in a row on this site, so today I'm taking a sabbatical. Today is a glorious late summer Sunday, so though I'm keeping the daily posting going with this, in effect I took the day off to relax outdoors. Ok, ok, clearly a one day...
One in a million squirrel
Take time to appreciate one in a million moments. Recently it felt like summer was over in London, with grey, wet and colder weather. However, as Friday rolled around at the end of a long week, the weather warmed up and the sun came out. I look to practice what I...
Lack of diversity is a major business risk
Lack of diversity is a major business risk. Do I have your attention? To truly connect people to an idea such that they will take action, it is necessary to frame it in a way that impacts something that matters to them and their business. Risk is a keyword for...
Repeat after me. Repeat your message
Repeat your messages to communicate your belief in them, the business, the opportunity, the vision. "If you feel sure you have over-communicated your message to your people to the point where they are bored of hearing it from you.... you are probably about halfway...