I'm Thinking About Stuff by John Thurlbeck

Lessons from ‘Good Comes First’ by S Chris Edmonds and Mark S Babbitt

At their book launch party on Tuesday 28th September, S. Chris Edmonds and Mark S Babbitt, with host Ross Brand, shared insights and conversations on their new book, Good Comes First: How Today’s Leaders Create an Uncompromising Company Culture That Doesn’t Suck. Special guests added to the conversations and insights, and I note below some key lessons I learned from my participation in the…

Culture! A buzzword many use but few truly understand

If you are part of a dysfunctional organisation, where respect for you and your contribution is in short supply or absent, and values are espoused but not enacted, then fear not! Salvation is now at hand.In a practical, step-by-step guide to creating a purposeful, positive, and productive work culture, this new book by S Chris Edmonds and Mark S Babbit – Good Comes First – seriously hits the…

A Focus on What Is Working - here is a guest post/excerpt from Dr. Jeanie Cockell and Dr. Joan McArthur-Blair from their book, Building Resilience with Appreciative Inquiry.

The following is an excerpt from Building Resilience with Appreciative Inquiry by Dr. Jeanie Cockell and Dr. Joan McArthur-Blair.

In a problem-based world, it is very challenging to keep a leadership focus on what is working. We believe that focusing on what is working matters as a practice that builds appreciative resilience. Leaders are bombarded by problems every day. A focus on what is…

Breaking news here on my blog!

After a break away from writing, I have decided to resume my blogging from the first week in June 2018.

I very much look forward to re-engaging with my readers, old and new alike, as we move through the year.

A key focus of my writing will be on leadership and curiosity, as a precursor to the publication of my book in late 2018.

As always, I encourage all my readers to feedback comment and…

My unreserved apology to Jeffrey Pfeffer and Robert I Sutton

Every month, usually on the 23rd of the month, I publish a post on https://leadchangegroup.com/ under the Leadership section.

In February, I wrote a post on closing the ‘knowing and doing gap’ without adequately referencing the attributed authors of the concept, Jeffrey Pfeffer and Robert I Sutton.

They first raised and explored the concept in their book, “The Knowing-Doing Gap: How Smart…

Three Enemies on the Journey Down the Left Side of the U

The following is an excerpt from The Essentials of Theory U by Otto Scharmer.

Why is the deeper territory of listening the road less traveled? Because it requires some intentional inner work to illuminate the blind spot, our interior condition. Connecting to our source of creativity at the bottom of the U requires crossing the three gates, or thresholds, as discussed. What makes this journey so…

The Big Picture: Celebrate Impact

A guest post by Mark Miller

Why don’t we celebrate more? Because many of our organizations are led by Type A leaders who see this as a waste of time? Because we are short-staffed? Could it be our short-sightedness? Maybe it’s because we, as leaders, fail to understand the impact celebration can have on our people, our culture, and our performance. I would guess our shortcomings in this area could…

Four Causes of Unproductive Meetings+What to Do About Them

This is a guest post by Dick Axelrod.

  Unclear Purpose

  Meeting participants are unclear about the purpose of the meeting or what they want to accomplish. Before holding a meeting, ask yourself what you want to be different for yourself, the participants, and the organization as a result of holding this meeting. Make sure you share this purpose with the participants. If you are a meeting…

Some Thoughts on a Philosophy of Virtual Reality

This post is written by my guest, Jeremy Kirshbaum.

At Institute for the Future we have been experimenting deeply in the frontiers of virtual reality journalism and immersive research environments. A lot of this happens by using small 3D scanners, like the Occipital Structure Sensor, to capture real-world objects and spaces, and then using game design software like Unity to embed them into an…

Welcome to the world of Servant Leadership!

This is a guest post from Art Barter.

The pigs are running the farm. So begins the story of FarmerAble. Everyone on his farm — people and animals alike — are downright downtrodden by him. He’s overbearing and compulsively obsessed with profits and productivity. He’s a typical top-down, power-based manager, forever tallying production numbers in his well-worn ledgers. But the more he pushes the…

What Makes a Great Public Sector Leader

In this guest post from my friend and colleague, Benjamin Taylor, Managing Partner of RedQuadrant and Chief Executive of the Public Service Transformation Academy, he discusses what are the challenges facing the public sector; what advice he would give to leaders looking to improve; and, what makes a great public sector leader.

What are the challenges facing the public sector?

In the next two…

40 Leadership Lessons from the Freedom Trail

On the 31st August 2013, Lesley, my wife and soulmate, retired after 35 years teaching in secondary schools. Two days later, as planned, we set off for a magical celebratory holiday, taking in New York, California and Oregon. Our trip became known as the ‘Freedom Trail’.

While on the Freedom Trail, I journaled every day and ended each entry with a leadership moment/lesson.

 Leaders take the time…

Do you need simple help with change? Try this now!

I’m posting late tonight after a very strenuous day interviewing clients in a change process, so this one is short and sweet!

Here’s a simple formula for helping you to reflect on and prepare for change!

D + G + FS > I

It stands for Dissatisfaction with the status quo; Clear goals for the future; and, known First Steps will be greater than or will overcome Inertia in your organisation.

Dissatisfa…

How To Actually Connect That Will Help Your Communication

The primary difference between dialogue and skilful discussion involves intention. In dialogue, you may be exploring a topic or seeking some discovery or insight. Often, in a discussion, its purpose revolves around making a decision or reaching some form of agreement, or maybe even agreeing on some new priorities or a way forward.

What goals to pursue? What actions are priorities for the next…

40 Leadership Lessons from the Freedom Trail – #27

On the 31st August 2013, Lesley, my wife and soulmate, retired after 35 years teaching in secondary schools. Two days later, as planned, we set off for a magical celebratory holiday, taking in New York, California and Oregon. Our trip became known as the ‘Freedom Trail’.

While on the Freedom Trail, I journaled every day and ended each entry with a leadership moment/lesson.

Leaders know when to…

How to make your goals for 2017 SMARTER here

Last year I applied Michael Hyatt’s Best Year Ever method to my personal goal setting. It was the first time I had written down my personal goals correctly.

I found the exercise challenging and exciting. And my end of year review last December provided some helpful insights and learning. One particular idea was a need this year to make my goals much SMARTER.

For 2016 I used Michael’s acronym…

How to avoid the Titanic effect here in 2017!

I believe that leaders at all levels need to ensure positive relationships within the workplace! When they work well, such relationships enable much more productive and useful work, more fulfilling workplaces, and better outcomes for both staff and clients.

When those relationships are not functioning well, it is because people overlooked one critical element – the organisational iceberg! Failing…