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.
Balancing Complexity and Simplicity
I moved to my new house six months ago. One of the uniquely appealing elements was a partially converted garage with an interior measurement of 6 x 3 m (about 19' x 10') that I could see could become a multi-use room. The family joke now is that it is "my domain" to...
Balancing Complexity and Simplicity
Balancing between complexity and simplicity allows me both to feel balanced and also to do my best work when I move back into that complexity…
Give attention to yourself
Pause to reflect on the generosity we can offer by giving attention to and for ourselves. I love this Simone Weil quote, one shared on a group call of "We are Liminal" last week, a bi-weekly/fortnightly connection call for that group. My experience of the group was...
The Perfect 10-Year Plan
Take the time to make your perfect 10-year plan. Limited edition print available from Steve Chapman As I noted in: "Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist", one of my favourite wisdom quotes is: “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery,...
Put in the time before you improvise
Oscar Peterson, my favourite jazz pianist of all time, famously practised ten hours a day so he could improvise on stage, as I wrote about in: "Masters practice incessantly, then improvise". Today more thoughts on the value of putting in the time, of mastery, of...
Predictable delays
Often with injuries and illnesses, there are "predictable delays" before the pain is felt. Still from the famous scene in "On the Beach", as Australia waits... Over 10 days ago I went to a lovely trattoria for lunch, where a heavy piece of artwork fell off the wall...
Being unconsciously competent
MJ in flow, gesturing "no, I've no idea how I just did that either" Do you know how to drive? I imagine you do. However, if I asked you how often you check your rear view mirror when you are driving, would you have any idea how often you do that? I was reminded of...
My key learning after three years of writing daily
When I meet with clients, at the end of each meeting I ask them for a Key Learning. Typically what pops out is a concise and "knowing" statement. Today, October 15th, marks the three year anniversary of daily writing on this site, over 600,00 words and 1,000 posts....
Resilience? Ask an Entrepreneur.
When you think of resilience, be sure to talk to an entrepreneur. While it is certain that we will live with Covid restrictions over the winter, the entire environment is unique and full of uncertainties. As I have written about in recent days and weeks, we will all...
Endurance
This morning my beautiful, wonderful friend Julie Drybrough was walking her dog at 6:30am and she then wrote an exquisite blog musing on what we need to take us through this winter of Covid. She simply called it: "Endurance". Today I give you an excerpt, then a few...
Carpe Diem and No Ordinary Moments
Carpe Diem: Sieze the Day As the UK drifts and slides, inexorably and through the incompetence of national leadership, back to another full lockdown, I have moments of negativity. What to do? I have no power or influence around this, so I focus on what I do have power...
Be Intentional with Time
Daniel Ek, by Eleanor Taylor, for The Observer Effect Thanks today to Ian Sanders for sharing this wonderful and rich interview with Daniel Ek, Founder and CEO of Spotify. Once again the richness of the links and conversations I find through Twitter adds to my...
Walk and Talk
Way before the Pandemic, I always loved to go for meetings outside: walk and talk. Being outside brings new and fresh perspectives. Way before the Pandemic, I always loved to go for meetings outside, walking and talking. Being outside literally and metaphorically...
Think Global
Where others think local, I look to think global. A term used in attracting investment via national or regional development agencies is "FDI" or Foreign Direct Investment. Also commonly used is "Inward" Investment. A third term I've heard used is "indigenous" with...