Psychology

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey

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This is a great summary video of a book that had a great impact on me back when I was 23 years old.  I was working for Accenture (in those days, Andersen Consulting) and the organisation shared this book with all employees.  There’s a photo there of me there on the right with my leather … Read more

It’s Better to Avoid a Toxic Employee than Hire a Superstar

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They lie, they manipulate and they pick fights: Some colleagues are ruthless, especially when it comes to their own professional advancement. Avoiding a toxic employee can save a company more than twice as much as bringing on a star performer.  The trouble with Toxics is that they are difficult to detect. Often, Toxics are popular with … Read more

Engagement – Is it really the employer’s responsibility?

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I have sat through many presentations over the last 3 years listening to experts telling company leaders how they can make their company an engaging workplace; how they can increase employee engagement. Is it really the employer’s responsibility? Engagement is a Choice Surely a basic requirement when you accept a job is that you engage … Read more

3 Ways Negative Self-Talk Damages Us

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Psychologist Martin Seligman explained that there are three ways in which our internal beliefs or narratives  become damaging: we make them personal, pervasive, and permanent. Personal: I failed, so I must be a failure.  Pervasive: I failed in this instance, so I’ll probably fail in every instance. Permanent: I failed once, so I’ll probably fail … Read more

I have learned 3 things about getting good work done

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I have learned 3 things about getting good work done: There is no magic app:  My lack of productivity was never down to a missing app, or not implementing Dave Allen’s GTD system correctly, or not having the right colour pens and post-it notes.  I have everything I need to be productive with a keyboard … Read more

“Always Busy” is a Decision

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You don’t find time, you make time. “Expect anything worthwhile to take a long time.” Debbie Millman* Anything worthwhile should take a long time.  The myth of overnight success is just that… a myth.  Acorns take time to become great oaks.  Nothing that comes easily will feel worthwhile, but I chase the quick fixes and the … Read more

Teaching with Creative Indifference (or Impartiality)

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Creative Indifference A good gardener creates the conditions for growth of a garden, but cannot force the flowers to grow in an exact way.  The good gardener creates the conditions and accepts what arises. The bad gardener fights what arises.  The bad gardener hacks and chops and fights against the natural growth of nature. The … Read more

How Self-Discipline will make you a Better Leader

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Self-discipline is the foundational habit that makes all other good habits possible. Self Discipline What is self discipline? It is the ability to do a chosen action even when you don’t feel like it. Anyone can do the action when they feel like it.  It is the ability to do it when you don’t feel like … Read more