How astonishment can help you
September 9, 2012
“It’s not what bothers you that is the problem, it’s what has stopped bothering you.” Larry Winget What are you not seeing around you? What are you tolerating that others would not? We grow used to what we ‘swim in’ and cease to notice things that would astonish others. If you have a new hire, [...]
Read the rest of this entry »Leadership and learning are linked
September 5, 2012
I was speaking with Elizabeth Eyre, the editor of Training Journal (UK) about some ideas I had been musing over concerning how leadership and learning are interlinked. She got quite excited and asked me to write an article for the magazine. So I thought some more and added to the concepts. I am not sure [...]
Read the rest of this entry »Here’s a rather philosophical idea
September 2, 2012
With credit to Mike Dooley… Most of us have tried to control other people… and failed. Of course, you can’t control other people. Not even a little; not a smidge. Every man and woman is their own sailing vessel powered by their own thoughts, emotions, and imagination. You can’t improve their smile, nor even add [...]
Read the rest of this entry »The dangerous quest for perfection
August 19, 2012
I was reminded again this week of how debilitating the desire for perfect results can be in terms of stopping us taking action. “A good plan executed, is far better than a perfect plan carried out next week” – General Patton But the desire for perfection is part of what motivates us to do well, [...]
Read the rest of this entry »Some advice from Muhammad Ali
August 12, 2012
Many Olympic athletes have incredible stories of perseverance and overcoming adversity. Here are two quotes from Muhammad Ali that sum this up… I hated every minute of training, but I said, ‘Don’t quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.’ The fight is won or lost far away from witnesses [...]
Read the rest of this entry »Olympic excellence at work
August 5, 2012
The feats of the Olympic athletes are amazing. What can we learn from these people who are such experts at what they do? 1. Get clarity on your goals and outcomes 2. Develop a strategy to win 3. Play the game to win 4. Take calculated risks 5. Bounce back from adversity and setback 6. [...]
Read the rest of this entry »The first step to increasing performance
July 30, 2012
Most people would like to get better at something they do. The first step to the next level of performance is usually gained by addressing what you have been avoiding. So what are you avoiding that means you don’t get the results you want? What barrier seems to be in the way that means you [...]
Read the rest of this entry »Is your fire still alive?
July 22, 2012
Remember your very first day at work? You were probably excited. You wanted to succeed. Are you still excited about work today? If not, and that applies to most of us, what happened? Was the disengagement gradual, or the result of a specific event? If you subsequently became re-engaged, if the fire came back and [...]
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