Back in 2001 my opening words to a new cohort of highly motivated top-talent caused a stir. Attending the inaugural event of our prestigious leadership development programme, they saw my then colleague fall off her chair when I began, “If you were really talented, you wouldn’t need us.”

I meant it then, and I mean it now. If you were really talented, you wouldn’t need people like me. And as then, I’ll quickly follow with... Read More

Judge me not by my profile, nor by how many like me. Instead, think about my words, and judge for yourself the impact they have on your work and in your life.

Your praise and feedback means nothing to me if I leave you unchanged, so learn well and implement fast.

As an independent mind and heart, when you are ready, I can do far more than coach or train you. To its fullest extent, I will stretch your thinking, expand your horizons, and motivate you to create and relish this journey we call life. Read More

Okay, maybe idiots is too strong. How about: stop wasting your time with people who add little or no value to your agenda. Or worse, those who detract from it?

We all just collect these people as the months and years roll by. Like junk stuffed in a drawer or cupboard.

How often do we have a clear out? Now could be an ideal opportunity to throw out some of that … okay, move away from some people who are not helping.

Perhaps the most important Read More

So many people are telling me that they don’t know what’s going to happen. Uncertain times. “Who knows how this will all land? Need to keep our options open.”

Here’s an analogy.

Imagine a race. A race where the prize is big. The winning rider will be made for life. The trainer hailed a hero. Trouble is, there is no course. No nearby rails, no next  jump. Not only that, you cannot see the final furlong nor the finishing line. Read More

Get this development technique right and your skills will move forward very fast indeed.

Get this wrong and you’ll be wasting a lot of time, and probably the time of others.

Some quick pointers will hopefully set you on the right road: Read More

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The enemy of change is perceived certainty.

Certainty is created by beliefs, though beliefs are usually disputable.

No doubt believe that the world is round. Of course you are wrong in that belief. It’s not quite round, its more like spherical, and probably a little lop-sided with lots of bumps and holes. In fact, those holes are pretty huge when you look at them, because at the quantum level, most of matter is invisible, as yet undetectable dark matter. Indeed, particles from outer space pass right through the earth all the time as it it wasn’t even there. Maybe it isn’t!

That may seem a little extreme, but it just illustrates that Read More

Last week in Early Warning: A Political Storm is Brewing I rashly suggested that I could weigh up an organisational setting and estimate its survival prospects. It's not a precise science (what science is?) but you can do it too if you know how. To whet your appetite and ruffle a few feathers, here is a fun little game you can play at your team meeting that will provide a huge amount of vital intelligence that will shine a light, your light, on the prospects for the enterprise to survive the next 12 months. Read More

Here is a clarion call for an independent mind, your mind.

Have you noticed how powerful scientists seem to have become? Or rather, how powerful they appear to be? So much depends on my 4th Principle of Power: Perception and Reality. Let me explain.

He who pays the piper, calls the tune.

Maybe I don’t know much about science and statistics, but I do know an awful lot about power and influence. While not wishing to fight for any side in the calamity we find ourselves in, I find myself compelled Read More

Last week I have a chat with an acquaintance. Well no, not a chat, I got talked to.

He got on his hobby horse on some topic that I was not particularly interested in, knew more about than he did, but he had me trapped.

Without wanting to be rude of impolitic I humoured him. Nodded and offered the occasional contribution to try to move things on a bit.

Afterwards, once I’d escaped I was frustrated. Annoyed Read More