Bad Label: Stakeholder Management

March 9, 2021 by Colin Gautrey

One of the inherent problems with the notion of stakeholder management is in the title.

Does anybody want to be managed these days?

It implies, to me at least, someone taking control.

Would any stakeholder want you to be in control? Read More

Living and Working in Threes

March 4, 2021 by Colin Gautrey

Always be living (and working) in threes.

Keep things simple (thought, word and deed).
Three main rules for life (values and brand words too)
? (What would the third be for you?)

These create brevity, clarity and results. Read More

Kindness

March 1, 2021 by Colin Gautrey

Be kind to others, for you know not what is in their heart.

Be especially kind to yourself, because you’ll live with your heart forever.

Have high standards, but give yourself a break too.

Reflect on all you have yet to do, but balance that with how far you have come.

Stop inflicting negative emotions on your life (and body) especially when they serve no useful purpose.

Learn from your past, but don’t allow it to blight your future.

Now come on, it’s been a tough week, go put your feet up and switch off for 30 minutes. The world will still be here when you get back.

Trust in a Remote World

February 24, 2021 by Colin Gautrey

When you strip away all the nice words written about trust, the whole thing boils down to one very personal judgement: predictability.

Does someone do what you expect them to do?

From maintaining confidentiality to delivered on time, we all have expectations of others, but how do they measure up?

And, others have expectations of you too.

...It's The Way That You Do It!

Behavioural style is a neat wrapper from the inimitable you. It may cloak who you really are, put some polish on your persona, or it may not, depending on how aware and skilled you are. By wearing different behaviours, you may think that you are betraying your integrity, Authenticity is an important part of they way you engage with people, and pretending to be something/someone you are not is regarded by many as being manipulative. Another perspective is that shifting your behaviour to suit the situation and people, what you are actually doing is helping them to understand what you have to say, instead of being distracted by your odd/strange behaviour! A little like when you go on your travels, it helps a great deal if you know a little of the local language. The usefulness of each perspective, manipulation, helpfulness, needs to be determined by you and your situation - we are not here to sit in judgement. However, what you must become aware of is the degree to which your wonderful bright personality is hindering your progress. Which is why the Influence Profile is so useful - it helps you to learn a framework of behaviours that you can choose to use to help certain individuals. Read More

Diagnosing Relationship Problems

February 16, 2021 by Colin Gautrey

All relationships hit the buffers at some point, both at work and in our personal lives.

Our ability to manage these problems when they arise has a significant bearing on our general enjoyment of life, and of the people in our lives.

It also has a bearing on our success because, let’s face it, not much progress is ever made in isolation - we all need to collaborate and work with others, both at home and in our professional lives.

Having been working with quite a number of people in recent weeks, I thought it might be helpful to share a brief outline of the key areas where conflict can arise, and a simple process to move towards a resolution.

Who Influences You?

February 11, 2021 by Colin Gautrey

Quick as you can, make a list of all the individuals who have a big influence on your life.

Split your list into those who have a big influence on your professional life, your personal life, or on both.

Next to each, make some notes about what influence these people have on you.

Reflect on:

How to Develop Your Influencing Style

February 9, 2021 by Colin Gautrey

Here is a selection of resources that will help you to benefit from the Influence Profile and begin to adapt your behaviour for better relationships. If you are here and have not yet done your questionnaire, please go to The Gautrey Influence Profile before diving too deeply into the resources below. Read More

Are You Good Enough?

February 8, 2021 by Colin Gautrey

We are all on a development journey aren’t we? No matter what we have achieved, the dizzying heights we have scaled, there is always room for more.

Isn’t there?

So, who are you a role-model to? Who would you like to be a role model for? Or, what specifically would you like others to role-model from you?

Being realistic, how do you actually measure up right now? Be honest with yourself, are you the living breathing personification of your ideal? Have you measured up to what you want the world to notice, admire and hope to emulate?

Yes?

Liar. Read More

Readiness to Trust, or Not

February 3, 2021 by Colin Gautrey

How do you trust others?

Are you like Luke, who will trust someone until it is proven that he can’t.

Or, are you more like Isabel, who holds back her trust until she is absolutely certain.

Readiness to trust is a continuum and your preferred position will impact how you are perceived and trusted when you meet someone.

It will affect their readiness to trust you. Read More

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