Outside in Authentic Leadership in Business and in Life

The Truth About New Year Resolutions

20 December 2011

Before you shrug off 2011 and launch headfirst into 2012…………. How was it for you?

Did you achieve your most important goals? Are you on track? Did you even set any?

We want focus, direction and we want to have some way of knowing how to get there.  Often however the mere mention of the word ‘goals’ is a complete turn-off.

So what’s the answer? We discuss the pro's and cons of goal setting and wonder how on earth we can make any progress at all in 2012!

Leadership is Not About You

6 December 2011

There was a time when I believed that to be successful as a leader you must be shamelessly self-promoting, impress everyone with your knowledge and have more experience than any of your team members. As I wasn’t able to live up to any of these qualities, this wasn’t a particularly smart way to think.  And when I landed a peachy role that stretched me in ways I had never have imagined possible, I very nearly became seriously unstuck.......

...... if you struggle with "who you are" as a leader and know its holding you back, here are 3 confidence-building tips that can help.

Don't be SAD. Get Happy!

23 November 2011

There’s no getting away from it. Autumn is well and truly here. 

But if you’re not feeling your usual perky self; if you’d rather stay home with the cat and a bottle of wine than socialise with friends; or if you are struggling more than usual to get out of bed each day, why not make up your mind NOW that this will be your best autumn yet?

Here are some simple strategies for you to try.

Birthday Ruminations and the Talking Heads

26 October 2011

I just had my 49th birthday.  Aaaaaagh!

Mid-life crisis.  Sudden wake up call.  Kick up the ass. Call it what you like.

With the big 5-0 now looming just around the corner, it was one of those occasions in life when mortality comes more sharply into focus and you are forced to take stock.

Quick Tip No 5: Learn to ask the right questions

14 October 2011

Some types of questioning are more helpful than others. At last you may discover you don’t need to have all the answers.

Quick Tip No 4: Practise the art of mindfulness

13 October 2011

Not as “new-agey” as it might sound. Great leaders have the skill of being able to tune in to what is really going on around them.

Quick Tip No 3: Develop a Genuine Interest in People

12 October 2011

Make it safe for people to reveal their true selves around you without sticking your nose into their personal lives or watching over their shoulder constantly.

Quick Tip No 2: It’s not about you.

11 October 2011

Learning to push your ego to the side is a win win for your team relationships and for your business. But why do this?

Quick Tip No 1: Quality. Not Quantity.

10 October 2011

In our task- and deadline-driven organisations, we often feel there just isn’t the time to give people enough individual attention, or as often as they deserve.

So how do you apportion your time so that everyone gets a fair bite at the cherry?

Stop Engaging. Start Listening.

9 October 2011

According to current commentary around organisational research findings, a key solution to business under-performance  is employee engagement. 

But without one vital, human ingredient, even the most highly strategized and abundantly resourced engagement effort is likely to fall on deaf ears!

The Power of Pause

4 October 2011

Hello! And welcome to my very first blog post – ever! 

Whether you walk, sing, meditate, or drop by to take inspiration from something I may offer up in these pages, I invite you to create time and space to focus on you: to empty your mind of all the day to day demands on you, and then to reflect on what’s important for you and your leadership.