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.
In praise of doing the simple things well
Whether it be in hospitality or other businesses, always maintain a laser focus on the power of doing the simple things well. Last month I was treated to a surprise lunch at one of the most "hard to get a reservation" spots in London, the bistro Bouchon Racine. As it...
In praise of doing the simple things well
Whether it be in hospitality or other businesses, always maintain a laser focus on the power of doing the simple things well.
Revolut and the cost of toxic culture
Earlier this year I wrote "The fish rots from the head", sharing my experience over the years that toxic culture starts from the top, that: "People observe their leaders, so no matter how much money is invested by HR and LnD in people, if the leadership are not, well,...
Incompetence feels uncomfortable
The model above is referred to as the "Competence Model". I wrote a long personal story about my father trying to teach me how to drive to illustrate this in depth. You can find it at: "Zen and teaching your son to drive". Today some thoughts on how it feels to be at...
Do you have a pile of books?
Only one part of my current "pile of books" to read Do you have a "pile of books?" Mine never seems to get anywhere near "manageable", as I simply keep buying more and more to read. This pile is only the ones that are loosely to do with business and leadership, there...
How many blue cars do you see?
When my two oldest sons were very young, one summer we visited great friends in Norway. One day my friend and I took his two sons and mine, all aged between about 3 and 8, for the over two-hour drive from Oslo to their cottage on a lake for an overnight trip. It was a...
Marking small occasions – 500 posts
So, we are now at 500 posts since I committed to posting every day on this site. Today I am thinking about marking occasions. Marking Occasions As I go about my day, it would have been easy to miss this minor milestone of 500 posts, as I find writing daily a natural...
Mark Hollis – Learn how to play one note
“Before you play two notes, learn how to play one note, y’know? And don’t play one note unless you’ve got a reason to play it.” ~ Mark Hollis Yesterday Mark Hollis died. He was the leader of Talk Talk. Their music really touched me in different ways, then he stepped...
Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards
"Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards" ~ Soren Kierkegaard Today a simple thought around living life. Learn from the past, analyse it, study it all you will so you can learn more about yourself, others, your business, your leadership....
The simple secret to how to write.
So, as I approach my 500th consecutive daily post, today the magical secret of how to write. How to write? Stop not writing. Thanks to Anne Lamott on Twitter for this ultimate in concise wisdom. She goes on to say: How to write: Stop not writing. Get and keep your...
Cascading Leadership – Engage, Align, Enrol
Recently I wrote : "Cascading Leadership – a new way for transformative change". That post is a synthesis of many years of learning and practice in supporting transformative change. Please do read the full post, but for today I highlight: "Which comes first, to Engage...
To lead or to follow
To lead or to follow? I recently took a week out at a workshop in Baja, Mexico to focus on my own professional development. I've spent most of my career identifying leaders who would benefit from my support, solidifying that in the work I do now as a sounding board to...
Aligning corporate and personal purpose
A few weeks ago I wrote "Purpose, People, Planet - the new triple bottom line". That article is a synthesis of learning from many years of building businesses and supporting leaders of businesses and other organisations. In short, I said "we need a new triple bottom...
Income inequality – history is a teacher
Look up income inequality and you'll see chart after chart showing how this has radically increased since the early 1980s. To me this has to change, it is simply ugly leadership for the richest to earn so much more than others. For today, let me write about the rabid...