To my way of thinking, the ultimate boss-subordinate relationship is experienced as a mutually beneficial collaboration or partnership that also respects the hierarchical status. This means you are both working together, sharing, problem-solving and doing your level best to help each other because you both know at a deep level it is in your best interests.

How does your boss relationship measure up to that ideal?

If my recent coaching experience is anything to go by, at best only 2/3rds of people have this quality. Had I probed, my guess would be less than 10%.

If you’re in that 10%, look after that relationship like a most precious asset, because right now, given what is going on in the world, a great deal of disruption is heading in your direction. Having a strong relationship with the boss is going to serve you well. Read More

Tenacity is a much valued quality. Having the staying power, the resilience to take the knocks, and bounce back, determined, relentless, dedicated to the achievement of your goals.

That is, unless it's ridiculous, hopeless or destined to failure. Bloody-minded stubbornness that is just plain stupid.

Trouble is, how do you make that distinction? Read More

Few can deny that we live in chaotic times. But, are they really as chaotic as many would have you believe?

When I studied complexity theory at Warwick Business School, I learned that chaos is little more than unrecognised patterns. Which suggests a major opportunity, if you are able to believe this and do something about it.

What if, you could recognise those patterns before anyone else does, or at least, be up there with the leaders as more certainty begins to emerge? Read More

Have you noticed lately that I’m messing with your mind?

If indeed you actually read what I share, you will certainly have seen the change.

You see, many things have changed for all of us. To a large extent I’ve been playing. Trying our new ideas, exploring options and thinking a great deal about what the future could have in store.

It occurred to me this morning that what I have been doing is serving you up ideas that are half-baked. And now I think about it, that is perfect. Read More

Don’t trust me on this. Don’t believe anything I am about to say. Think about it and draw your own conclusion.

If you value your freedom, and you’re troubled by what is going on in the world right now, note carefully the implications of what I am sharing here.

Before I share the five vital questions for today, you need to gauge my trustworthiness. How seriously should you take what follows?

Read More

What would your life be like if, no matter what happens in the future, you knew with complete certainty - that you’d be okay?

One thing the last few months have proved, beyond a shadow of a doubt, is that inconceivable things can happen, and fast. Things that nobody in their wildest dreams, fantasies or nightmares, would have thought possible. Events that have turned our world upside down.

Now it has been proven that the unthinkable can happen, a huge dilemma appears on the horizon. What else could happen? What other things that we currently consider to be certain, may suddenly crumble? Read More

Ego states from the field of Transactional Analysis is one of those enduring models that returns time and again to my work as a coach.

The high-level summary is that when we engage with another person we think and act either as a parent, adult or child. They respond likewise, but perhaps from a different ego state. Thus, someone who presents as a parent will patronise and attempt to elicit the child in the other person. That person may or may not respond with the desired ego state (child) and thus the game begins.

In the professional world, what TA is always Read More