Bite Sized Business Tips
2 minute reads for the values-led business leader
Snippets for purpose and values-led business leaders about meeting our responsibilities to our team, customers, owners, communities and suppliers. Context is everything, so these aren't dogma - rather a stimulus for thought. Subscribe below.
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Swearing isn’t unprofessional. Or is it?
Do you swear at work? Often if leaders do, they set a tone. Which is *really* unprofessional. Because people don’t go to work in order to feel like extras in a Tarantino film. But I don't think people go to work to feel like extras in a Mary Poppins film ...
Good data isn’t a substitute for thinking
I love that we now have more data to use to assist decision-making. We can make decisions now with a stronger basis in evidence than whim, and that can only be positive. But I've also seen companies and leaders absolve themselves of thinking by hiding behind the data. Congratulating each ...
Authenticity is transient
You had one chance at leading authentically. That was when you were born. If you didn’t do it then, you’ve blown it! Because the only person who can be completely authentic is the one who has learned nothing and not grown since the day they were born. Authenticity is continually ...
Context is Everything
Context is Everything. I once directly managed a team of 60 people. Every HR consultant will tell you that’s wrong, and that you won't do right by your team. A management catastrophe. So what was the outcome? The outcome was that the team doubled in size (while I still directly ...
Don’t be cynical about leaders with purpose
There are 2 ways leaders come to lead their business with purpose. Some start their business with a view to serving a greater goal. Others create their purpose as they discover more about the business that they are leading. Both approaches are valid. However, those leaders who grow purpose rather ...
All you need is a new strategy
Your strategy didn’t work out this year? Never mind. You can create a new strategy, and get a real buzz doing it. Then watch it slowly dissipate as the year goes by. Too pessimistic? Sadly, I’ve seen this cycle play out over and over. As much as our addiction to ...
Don’t Command and Control – Direct and Adapt
The cultural brainwash that leadership is all about command and control runs deep. It remains the default behaviour in many companies, including small ones and ones built on intellectual output. Command and Control IS a valid model. There are scenarios where it may be the best answer. And not the ...
Start with Why Sells
The coaching industry is awash with pseudo-Sineks* telling you to Start With Why. The challenge is that most of them don't tell you anything of substance beyond the Why. It's as if the job's done once you've got your Why. And there's good reason for that. It's a lot easier ...
All it takes to turn an idea into a business
At the BCS talk that I recently did on growing a business with profit and purpose, I asked the audience what it takes to turn an idea into a business. "Grit". "Determination". "Hard work". “Action”. I suspect that came from the entrepreneurs in the room. "Passion". "A why" (eugh). "Purpose" ...
Newer isn’t always better – 2 of 4
We crave the new. Last week I wrote about how this can hurt client revenue. But it also shows its addictive face when it comes to our teams. If your business needs a new hire, pause. Does this create an opportunity for someone in your existing team? Can someone fill ...
Leading with values is a choice
So many people today have swallowed the values pill and say that companies *need* a clear set of positive values to succeed. Especially on the speaking or coaching circuit. Bullshit. Companies have succeeded without articulating any values. Some with a set of insidious (and not articulated) values. Heck, some have ...
Newer isn’t always better – 1 of 4
We make running business a lot harder than it needs to be. One way is our addiction to the new when the answer is already under our noses. Here’s the first of 4 ways I REGULARLY see people, especially business owners, biting themselves in the arse. The thrill of the ...