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.
Growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional
This weekend, I checked my youngest son into University Halls of Residence for his second year. On the drive, we passed a convertible going slowly. He mused aloud "Why get a convertible sports car and go slow?". He then looked at the occupants and said "Oh, they are...
Growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional
“Growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional!”, or even “the idea is to die young as old as possible”. Words to live by!
It is, as it was. Will we learn?
A short and powerful article written in April and published in a Journal in May 2020 from people who know about human behaviour and response to pandemic threats. Image (c) Sky News When you knew lockdown was coming, did you fill your car up with petrol? I've asked...
Looking towards the future
I encourage you, as a leader, to focus on "what comes next?", in looking towards the Future. Yesterday was one of my more esoteric posts: "Musings on Time". Perhaps serendipitously, no sooner had I posted it than I had a truly inspiring and energising initial...
Musings on Time
Today I share some musings about Time. "It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen"opening line from 1984, by George Orwell The bizarre times and national leadership we are seeing often makes me think of Orwell's 1984 of late, but that...
What do other people think?
I'm going to let you into a key psychological trick that coaches use to get inside the head of our clients when they can't or won't say what they really think. We ask "so, what do other people think?", or similar linguist devices that don't directly ask for their own...
Be a point of light
Be a point of light to bring change in the world. "You can be a point of light in this and nobody will know, except things will change."John Amaechi If you are white, I hope this post makes you uncomfortable as it does for me to reflect on what it teaches us. It is...
Doing Well by Doing Good – Recycling Lives
Recycling Lives is unique - recognised as a UK leader for combining business and charity. I truly believe in Leading from Purpose, "Putting Purpose first truly drives profit to allow you to further scale your impact." For more on the scale for impact model, visit this...
Love is endless. Will is finite
inspired by this recent quote by Jerry Seinfeld, this drawing from Jack Butcher at Visualize Value Love is a word I wish leaders used more often. Talking about love is strength, just as humility and vulnerability are strengths, just as giving a full apology shows...
Salesforce – Doing Well and Doing Good
Salesforce is one company doing well and doing good. The "new triple bottom line" model from: "Leading from Purpose" I reconnected recently with a senior corporate leader who has always inspired me. They are absolutely focussed on customer experience and...
Judge each other by the content of our hearts
Judge each other by the content of our hearts. Art Acevedo, Chief of Police, Houston. Photo from The Guardian Our BrokennessYou're clutching with both hands to this myth of "you" and "I"Our whole brokenness is because of thisRumi - translated and edited by Omid Safi,...
Change ourselves and we change the world
My most recent posts have been about racism in the USA and UK and how change must come from those with privilege, and yes, white privilege, starting with white people genuinely being open to listening and learning about why their country and the world is systemically...
#DoingTheRightThing – Leading when everyone is watching
Sharing some examples of leaders doing the right thing. I haven't been sleeping well for the last few days with what is happening in the USA. Honestly, I've been despondent, feeling that nothing will ever change, that so many white people around the world simply don't...
Integrity is also doing the right thing when everyone is watching
Closing scene from "Michael Clayton" Today I've been thinking about my children and what I want them to ultimately remember me for. I know they know I love them, and what else? Well, our children learn from us not only in what we say but what we do, so I hope they...