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.
Take a walk with history
The other day I had some time free in London before an event, so took a walk with history. The square I went to was only five minutes walk from the train station and only about another five from the livery...
Take a walk with history
The other day I had some time free in London before an event, so took a walk with history.
Everyday Leadership and Legacy
Penny McDowall Receiving the Special Olympics North America coach of the year award I just got news from Cayman that Penny McDowall passed away on New Year's Eve. The short instinctive note I sent to her husband Rod simply said: Such a loss, and such a life. An...
What is your one-word theme for 2019?
First of all, welcome to 2019 as today is the 1st of January! Over the last two weeks or so I've mused on a process for first a) reflecting on the last year, then b) being present to where you are right now, then finally c) setting a focus for 2019. Now, you may well...
Are you in the arena getting your ass kicked?
The last few weeks for me have been amazing and wonderful in different ways, and also felt brave and at times a bit scary as I embarked on something new that immediately felt important and that felt risky. I was reminded of the idea of "to dare greatly", and then that...
Anthony Bourdain: Be Open, Be Curious
As we reach the end of another year, we tend to reflect on the words of Robert Burns of "auld lang syne", or "old long since", or simply "of days gone by". In such reflections we tend to reflect on those who have left us in the past year. For me, one of those losses...
We are ladies and gentlemen serving ladies and gentlemen
Back in the early 2000s, I took on the opportunity (never a challenge, always an opportunity) to lead a resort in the Cayman Islands. I began by looking to best practice and saw that the top hotel brands in the world had an unerring focus on their internal culture and...
Presence – No Need to Say Anything
I've just spent several days with family in Scotland and reminded of the power of simply being present for people. Today a simple leadership lesson on this from a military leader (shared by Tom Peters) and a reminder of the absolute presence of Marina Abramovic. No...
Be thankful then fully acknowledge
Today in this "pause" period between Christmas and New Year, some thoughts on the power of telling people what they mean to you and of doing that with full acknowledgement and recognition, more than a "thank you". Three thoughts and stories for you on saying thank you...
My client is not in a hurry
Photo credit Rhonda Curry At this time of year, the Western World slows down, pauses for the Christmas Season. We step off our hamster wheel of life and work, of things to do, deadlines to meet etc. In that world, has anybody ever used the line "my client is not in a...
Happiness and Gratitude
For this post to go out on Christmas Day, a time for gratitude, I am reflecting simply and concisely on Happiness and Gratitude, starting with this image, then the thoughts of the Dalai Lama on "Compassion as the source of happiness", and finally to share with you a...
Signifier of Intent
"how you do anything is how you do everything" When, years ago, I was intensely involved in the development of self and my skills in learning to be a coach, I heard this phrase and it deeply resonated with me and still does. I've already written around this phrase...
Bravery – How to play with fire
An English language idiom is: "don't play with fire, you might get burned" Let's flip that today, inspired by this quote from Steven Kotler: "As children, we are taught not to play with fire, not how to play with fire." I saw this quote out of the blue the other day...
Rest and be thankful
The "Rest and be Thankful" road in the Arrochar Alps in Scotland. "Rest and be thankful", the phrase from Wordsworth, is particularly apposite as we come to the end of the year, a time to reflect and to recognise where we've come from, where we are, and (I suggest) to...