On Friday I heard a story about values and the importance of not just accepting other’s value systems without ensuring they are right for me. I remember reading a book on psychotherapy and the “pathological critic” (Self-Esteem by McKay and Fanning) that described four criteria to evaluate my personal values that allow me to check … Read more
This is another blog post inspired by a TED video. This one on the world of online games by Jane McGonigle. Humans spend 3 billion hours a week spent playing online games. This is a lot. Many American teenagers will have accumulated more hours playing online games than school hours by the age of 18. … Read more
There are only three types of work: Bad work Good work Great work I think you probably know what sits in each of these categories. Bad work is pointless. It is a waste of time. It is the basis of Dilbert cartoons. Sadly, most organisations are superb at creating bad work: bureaucracy, meetings to plan … Read more
How can I get through the obstacles to something better on the other side? Aimee Mullins was born without her fibular bones, the smaller of the bones connecting knee to ankle. The doctor had to tell her parents that she was disabled, had to amputate what was left of her legs and tell her parents … Read more
This is relevant for anyone who communicates regularly from a position of authority – doctors, scientists, professors… 3 Types of Experts I have had several people who have expertise say to me “but I haven’t been successful myself”. Toni Nadal isn’t better at tennis than Rafa, but he knows how to get results. Michael Porter … Read more
Speak as a Leader: 10 weeks email-driven course Congratulations on Beginning the Speaking As A Leader Course You are now successfully registered for the Speaking as a Leader Program. You should begin receiving the first course emails in your inbox right now. It took me years to be happy with how I look, sound and speak on … Read more
This question is really a game. Here is how it works: Relate a story of a time when you’ve made a mistake. Retell the story while only relating the actual mistake (without justification). The question is, “Why might it be difficult to do just Step 2?” I read Leadership and Self-Deception and The Anatomy of … Read more
I have been a member of Entrepreneurs’ Organisation (EO) for five years. There is a regular theme at any large international gathering (see you in EO Cape Town?) about the role of an entrepreneur. The saying is that “you should work on your business not in your business”. The successful scale entrepreneurs are those that … Read more
Warren Buffett gave a talk to a group of MBA students at the University of Florida in 2007. The video is at the bottom of this post (on the blog). He starts with an interesting question. He says [2:30] “Think for a moment that I granted you the right to buy 10% of the future … Read more
This is a guest post from Rob Marchant, a key member of Tony Blair’s campaign team at Labour Party head office between 1998-2002. Rob is founder of Barcelona Green, a startup aimed at climate change challenges. He examines some political examples of public speaking from the US and the UK. Loved or loathed they might … Read more