The hardest thing I’ve had to do professionally was to make people redundant. It can be easy to forget how much harder it is for the person going. If it’s unavoidable (and I’ve resigned over being asked to do it when I believed it was entirely avoidable), then make sure you stay human as you […]
Motivation by KPI
One of the dangers of our increasingly digital and data-driven world is when managers are encouraged to overuse data. This is especially pernicious for new and upcoming managers, as data becomes a crutch for them to lean on. It robs them of the hard work and opportunity to manage through judgement, through critical thought, through […]
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 either. They go to work […]
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 other on meeting KPIs, while […]
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 redefined. Learning, growing, interacting with […]