At a time when some parts of the world are stalling on their position on diversity, equality and inclusion with some organisations seemingly pulling back their focus or programmes, or both, following the recent declarations in the US, it seems to me that it could be timely to consider what it is that we mean...
In most well-intentioned organisations we strive toward building a culture founded on strong, well considered values and ethics. We consider the questions, who are we and how do we want to be? This motivation to build something meaningful to the majority typically gives rise to traditions. The habits, behaviours, practices that support the building of...
Wherever we look we’re surrounded by examples of service – the purely transactional of a service provided for which we pay (smile optional) through to the more noble and life impacting work of health and emergency services and the armed forces. In our own lives, when we really think about it, everything we do is...
Transforming an organisation is a familiar concept…at least intellectually and one often on the agenda of Boards and Exec Teams. There are any number of areas that arise as candidates…culture, governance, technology, processes, efficiency, profitability. The list goes on. For the most part, the focus will be on the symptoms and the approach will tend...
Many will be aware of the well-known TED Talk given by Brené Brown on the power of vulnerability. Despite a growing focus on mental health in the world of work and a wider acceptance that being ‘strong’ all the time is unhealthy, we still seem to have a general struggle with how we step into...
Work is probably the only place we are forced into relationship with others rather than having the freedom to choose. From day one in any role, at whatever level, there are people we need to relate to well to enable our contribution, to get things done, to create a culture where people feel valued, and...
As world leaders, climate scientists and eco-experts and activists gather for COP 28 we might also consider that other climate change…the one on our doorstep and over which we have considerably more control and the ability to make positive change more quickly. The climate in our organisational world is undergoing change. Only a few years...
Most people don’t tend to think about shapes or geometry in relation to leadership. And yet if you think about it we have many linear, square and oblong shapes that pervade our organisational spaces especially in business. The boardroom table, the office desk, the rows of desks. Perhaps it’s driven by space efficiency but I...
Competence can be a blessing and, if not exactly a curse, a hole we, as leaders, can easily fall into. How lucky we may count ourselves if all our team are highly competent. People who need little guidance to do their thing with excellence. We may feel it frees us to contribute at a higher...
As leaders we may all too familiar with the call for ‘more’. Often accompanied by ‘faster’. The relentlessness of today’s working environment may not always leave time to appreciate what is being achieved already and to count our blessings. This may feel like an old-fashioned notion and yet being able to see the beauty, the...