How should I build my skills? What should I focus on? What are the things I should avoid doing to be successful? Those are easy questions to ask, but astonishingly difficult to answer. Especially without context, background or any detailed understanding of who you are responding to. But they were questions that showed up in my inbox last week. So I took a stab at answering them anyway.
Perseverance, Adaptability and Follow-through
When someone asks you what you do and where you are going, what do you answer? And is that answer an honest reflection of your dreams, or is there a hint of defensiveness behind it? It’s hard to reinvent ourselves, and it’s hard to make a change. There are times that it is necessary, but making that call involves careful personal judgement. In our journey through life, we persevere, we adapt and we follow-through where necessary.
Next Webinar: Context, Culture and “It Depends”
For those that have in any way spent time with me, they know that my favourite answer to most questions is, “It depends.” Particularly if you’ve seen my speak, attended a workshop or have experienced me in consulting mode, you’ll have quickly realized that I utter that phrase more than any other. What that quickly […]
We Should Stop Using Should
Constructive criticism very often isn’t constructive. We also tend not to receive it well, even when it’s well-meaning—and sometimes even when we ask for it. Part of the problem is with our use of the word “should.” It is a word of judgement, criticism and deflection We probably shouldn’t use it quite as frequently as we do.
You Can’t Implement Process And Get Culture
Culture change is hard. And we would prefer not to deal with the hard stuff. All too often, we want to be able to define what we expect, and have behaviours and culture norms to line up behind that. Sadly, it doesn’t work that way. Cultural transition is possible, but process doesn’t drive culture. Although culture will determine what process is possible.
Next Webinar: Taking A Read On 2017
This is our sixth annual ‘Book Review’ webinar as we begin the year. Peter and Mark are both presenting. As before, we will take a read on the year that has passed, discussing the best business books we have each read this year. These may live between the covers of our normal themes of project […]