Why ‘Ponderings’?
My brain is like a cooker/stove top. It has ‘stuff’ bubbling away on it all the time. Some is quietly blipping away in the background. Others front of mind and needing my attention.
I’m inspired by conversations, news items, articles, events and these blogs are the results of those musings!
The manager who thinks they are being kind
DISC and Insights tell you how people communicate when things are calm. They tell you nothing about what happens under pressure. Here's the layer underneath, and the supportive manager who's really in control.
Why being a control freak is a good thing!
Most leaders know the circles of concern, influence and control, but knowing the model and using it under pressure are two very different things.
When the problem isn’t skills, it’s stress
"We need to upskill our team" is the brief I hear most. But more often than you'd think, the team doesn't need training, they need to stop being exhausted.
What does a high-performing team actually feel like?
Forget the metrics for a moment. Here are the signs your team is genuinely high-performing, from psychological safety to honest feedback and real autonomy.
‘Tis the season that stretches relationships
While we're all decking the halls, workplace tensions can be rising faster than Santa up the chimney.
Overcoming the curse of competence
Many leaders believe that lacking solutions or needing input from others somehow makes them appear less competent. Does asking for help really signal weakness, or does it demonstrate humility?
Are you a leaky leader?
Are you a Leaky Leader?
And how to make changes for the good of you, your team and your business.
Many years ago when I was serving aboard HMS Illustrious, a Chief in my team commented, “I can tell your mood by the way you walk through the office”.
In a hierarchical organisation like the Royal Navy, making a comment like that to a senior officer takes a certain level of confidence (and some might say courage).
But, decades later, I can still recall that exchange with absolute clarity.
Why?