We must know enough to be effective.Before I demand anything, I must first understand my needs. When I aim to improve something, I need to have a clear picture of what excellence looks like. When I make buying decisions, I must know what constraints I’m working...
If I say to my 10-year-old daughter:"I expect you to keep your room in good condition,"the instruction is clear, but may not fully communicate what I expect from her. If I take a more prescriptive approach that makes sense for her age, I might say:"Please make sure...
Would I do it if it were my own money? Perhaps sincerely asking ourselves this question before proposing a new project, calling a meeting, or entering into an argument would likely change how we act and respond. We might think twice, or even more, before making...
There is a clear distinction between activity and impact, though we often use these terms interchangeably. The common assumption is that more activity will naturally lead to impact. For example: We have executed 450 test cases; Written 500 lines of code; Called 4000...
We are lazy by design. We conserve energy and use the minimum possible brain power. We like to be well-fed and keep ourselves entertained. We crave security and safety. There’s nothing wrong with this. For most of us, it’s simply part of being human. However, to truly...
I am a slave to my habits, thinking patterns, and autopilot decisions. I will win my freedom by becoming fully aware of myself and my environment. By staying consciously present and making informed choices, I will achieve ultimate freedom.
Some tasks may seem dull, but they’re essential—think testing software, posting invoices, counting votes, or reconciling accounts. As leaders, it’s easy to rely on authority to push these through, but there might be a better way. A way that works if we take...
As leaders, if we want support from our people, we need to let them know. We do this by being real, showing our imperfections, and acknowledging that we don’t have all the answers. It’s not about being the smartest person in the room, but about recognising the...