The other day, during a game of tennis I observed that I was frequently cursing myself for playing terribly. Each bad shot prompted me to use four-letter words in my mind, though I admit occasionally they would come out loud! Of course it didn’t cross my mind that perhaps my opponent was a much better […]
Rethinking Talent: Are We Hiring for the Wrong Skills?
I have been trying to help some clients identify talent for middle and senior management roles recently. But I keep coming up with gaps between what they require and what is available. On the other hand there are some exceptional people who are available but it is difficult for them to be a good fit […]
The Hidden Wisdom of Those Who Refuse Power
In one of my previous organisations, a senior leader surprised us all by quitting his job and retiring the day he turned 50. We couldn’t imagine why anyone would make such a drastic decision. He was one of the most respected people in the organisation, and we were sure he was on his way to […]
Why Entrepreneurship Isn’t the Freedom You Think It Is
Do employed people think about being their own boss? I meet many smart, young, energetic individuals who are always wishing to own a business. Many of them work for good organizations and many have even built a side gig from something they are passionate about. This is no different to when we were young. The […]
The Digital Escape and the Reality We Avoid
I am not sure if everyone feels it, but I struggle living in two parallel worlds these days. When we exist in the digital world, life seems so easy. Food delivery services will bring you whatever you are craving for and E commerce suppliers will make things coming to your house very easy. You can […]
Beyond Success: Finding Meaning Through Inner Guidance
Over the years, I have had the privilege of working with senior leaders across various organisations, both in my professional career and now in an advisory capacity. These are outstanding individuals who, on paper at least, possess all the requisite attributes; prominent titles, significant responsibilities, and an outwardly successful demeanor. However, when you dig deeper, […]
Stand Out by Saying Less: Quality Over Quantity in Achievements
I recently interviewed someone fairly senior for a client. This person had so many achievements on his cv and he went on a spree trying to explain everything in detail. I kept wishing throughout the interview that he would focus on one or two and be able to go deep into those. When seeking to […]
Freedom of Thought: The Rarest Skill No One Teaches
In one of my previous organizations, the annual appraisal/potential assessment form had an unusual section. It wanted to know if the person being assessed was an ‘independent thinker’. It was unusual because businesses don’t usually allow for much independent thinking! To my mind, an independent thinker is someone who has their own ideas about what […]
The Manager’s Dilemma: Balancing Autonomy and Collaboration
How does one manage a team? If you ask seasoned team managers about their most challenging task, you are most likely to hear about managing conflicts among team members as a significant contender for the top spot. Experienced team managers also recognise that conflicts primarily arise from the inherent human desire of each team member […]
The Power of Stepping Back Gracefully
During my gym workouts, I often see younger folks approach every exercise with a lot of passion, showing their strength and endurance. It is inspiring and sometimes I am tempted to follow them, but I remind myself that just because I can perhaps still do some of those heavy bench presses and squats, doesn’t mean […]
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