As I sat down in my local café, I had intended to spend my time writing about something completely different. However, a knowledgeable (and loud) woman at a nearby table meant I did a little eavesdropping instead… What I heard was a story I've heard too many times before.
Here’s something that beats most other reflection exercises you’ll ever do: Make a ‘Top 3 rules for doing x’ list. It’s simple, can be done individually or as a group after the end of a project, month, year or decade. So here's a few of mine...
My obsession with simplicity is almost cult-like. It’s one of the key tenets of both my business and my own life. Too much is hidden in artificial, lazy complexity - making the world a worse place for it. ... But there’s also dark side to it.
The vast majority of us (myself often included here) think that we should just do it ourselves, on our own accord. Perhaps it even offends our pride if we get help with it - after all “we can do it”
Tradition is the ritual, and we sentimental, emotional humans find comfort in that. The issue is that the comfort of tradition can often be at odds with our rational selves...
If your team can’t consistently describe why you’re changing and what success looks like - then your problem is vague. - And that’s a good way to spend more time and effort than is needed.
What would your team say if tomorrow you gathered them around and told them: “The huge change initiative we’ve been working on - well it’s all gone to shit” How would they react?
If emotion trumps rationality, as change leaders can we use that? Plus - this week I explain what had me in tears last time I was at LAX... More inside 🔽
It’s funny… When we think about change, we so often think about taking on something newer. Often something shinier. ...But sometimes the value you are looking for is already under your nose.
Recently I met with the CEO of an international NGO that was achieving promising early results and was generally on track.…And yet, seemingly out of nowhere, the Board Chair was dissatisfied and was looking to pull the pin.