We’re all biased. It’s the way evolution has shaped us, and it really isn’t (always) such a bad thing. These cognitive biases developed for good reasons, namely helping us to survive and thrive as a species. But the issue is that these biases are more suitable for the African savannah than for the urban jungle. TheseContinue reading “You’re in your blind spot”
Category Archives: Coaching
Quote of the day
“Like most people who go on diets, most companies that go lean fool themselves into thinking that the change effort is a time-bounded exercise. The company just needs to eat less and exercise more for now. It doesn’t understand that if it is to stay lean, a company, like a person, has to live leanContinue reading “Quote of the day”
Quote of the day
“Questions you cannot answer are usually far better for you than answers you cannot question.” “21 Lessons for the 21st Century” by Yuval Noah Harari –
Quote of the day
There are 2 things I don’t like: change, and the way things are now.
Learning vs not
I’m going to take a break from the series I’ve been writing for the last few posts. It’s not that I’m getting bored with it, but rather that I’ve had another realisation after attended another Servant Leadership course. And here it is. The 2 models that are contrasted in Servant Leadership are unilateral vs mutualContinue reading “Learning vs not”
For example…
One of the issues that often arises in teamwork is that of terminology. You’re in a meeting explaining yourself using what you think are perfectly understandable words but after a bit of back and forth you realise that the others aren’t understanding what you’re saying in the way you mean it. Or worse, you don’tContinue reading “For example…”
The boons and busts of assumptions
I’m assuming we all know the choice phrase: “Assumption is the mother of all fuck-ups.” If you don’t, well there is the problem with assumptions right there. In my previous article I listed 8 behaviours that contribute to a high performing team. The first on that list is: Test assumptions and inferences. It’s first forContinue reading “The boons and busts of assumptions”
What makes a good team?
Communication is tough. Many of the issues that arise in the workplace relate to miscommunication in some form or another. We think we’re saying something but it’s being interpreted differently, or we are actually saying the wrong thing. Miscommunication can lead to an erosion of trust, which is crucial to a high performing team. Roger SchwartzContinue reading “What makes a good team?”
When is the tipping point?
The more I delve into organisational transformation and development, the more I realise that the ‘new way’ of working is not actually that new. The ideas and principles that underpin the Agile movement have been around for quite some time. Way back in 1969 you’ll find the following in the Industrial Management Review (Tannenbaum, Davies,Continue reading “When is the tipping point?”
Quote of the day
“I like beautiful melodies telling me terrible things.” ― Tom Waits