Category: Authentic Leadership

A Sunday Walk

A Sunday Walk

I’ve been fortunate to have run or walk over the Auckland Harbour Bridge quite a few times. If you complete five of either the Marathon or Half Marathon in the Auckland Marathon you can become a “Roadster” with your own permanent number. I got mine quite a few years ago when I was running marathons, and although I stopped running back in 2016, I still get to use the number (and the creds that go with it!), for a walk of the half marathon.

I’d last done it in January 2022 which was technically the 2021 event, delayed from the Covid Lockdown. Once again it was on my own this time. A little over 3 hours, stopping only briefly for shoelaces and a toilet stop, for some reason it didn’t feel too hard actually (the days after were another story – see below). We know that athletes (I mean real ones, not Sunday strollers like me) step up on the day and create results at big occasions they couldn’t do in training. Maybe it’s the stopping at lights, or just the general lack of vibe, but I really struggle to get my walking pace below 10 mins/km.

But halfway into the “half” I’m sitting below nine. Somehow. I’m still not really sure how, but there’s definitely something for me about stepping up on the day, no actual pressure, focussing, and micro competitions with those around me (including slow runners!). Then realising that I was heading for a personal walking best of the half there was no stopping me.

No, I didn’t retain the sub 9 minutes for all the distance (see below), but it felt great.

I’m honestly happier than I look!

Part of my journey to be able to finish a semi-decent Sunday walk has been post 2020 surgery on my leg and then getting a involved in Sarcoma support through the Sarcoma Foundation NZ, so I’m looking forward to another (much shorter) Sunday walk at Round the Bays in March. You should think about coming along if you’re in Tamaki Makaurau.

About that blister: I put some heavy bandaids on on bits of my feet, but missed the ball of my right foot! Ouch! But it’s nearly right, although taping and soft shoes have been required.

Everyone smiles after an event like this. And 007 has asked to be in my next post on Friday.

Relax, flow, edge, some pain, enjoy. All the leadership you need on a Sunday Walk.

Stephen

One big thing (in a classy city)

One big thing (in a classy city)

When I travelled in my Fiat 125 from Christchurch to my new home in Dunedin as a newly minted Police Constable in the early 1980s, it was the beginning of life long affection for the Edinburgh of the south. Three of us new Constables got “posted” to Dunedin after a year as a police cadet.

Dunedin’s historic Railway Station

One of my colleagues then is still one of my best friends (top 2 rating!) and we flatted for the first few weeks in his mother’s house while she was visiting family in The Netherlands. Then it was boarding with Mrs Martin, who was a regular landlady for new police officers in the southern city. Only downside was the Saturday cook-up of tripe. But she understood nightshift and the need to sleep during the day.

Bridge over the railway next to the historic Railway Station

When I walked up George Street on a crisp evening recently I stopped at 521 – a historic home – where I rented a studio apartment from a local biology professor after Mrs Martin. The home was beautiful and he had divided it into charming apartments whilst keeping the structural design including an elegant ballroom, for common use (although it seemed too good to hang around in for some reason). It’s looking a bit unloved and appears to still be in several flats.

521 George Street

The next morning we spend half a day with a great group of leaders who we’ve been working with for the last few months – developing a new and authentic leadership for the individuals and company. We’ve had story-telling, 360s, a psychometric assessment, and lots of small group work and feedback. Today was about OBT – the one big thing that the leaders have honed to the leadership development opportunity that is going to make the most difference. Something new to work on.

Contemporary office building development by Ngai Tahu
The former police station where I started working in 1982

As I walked past the old police station on my evening’s walk  – now returned to its former glory as offices, I was struck by how fabulous the city looked. Clean, accessible, and stunning architecture, much of it restored. A new precinct in the main street George St – the retail quarter – has a modern pedestrian and two wheeled zone. And grown up playground equipment. Love it!

Giant seesaw as part of the redeveloped George Street retail quarter

Some of our leaders are focussing on bring the right attitude to work – bringing joy and positivity to a world that, right now, can feel pretty tough. Not in a “smile and it will be all good” way, but in an authentic and empowering way that builds trust and working together with care.

I sent some of my photos of the evening’s walk to my friend and former police colleague, now resident in Melbourne for many years. He still has connections to Dunedin – a brother who lives next door to his late mother’s house – where my journey started.

His text back to me read “Dunedin is looking exotic and prosperous. And clean”.  I agree.

And fun too – that seesaw is a must try!

Stephen

Notes:

  • Ōtepoti is the Māori name for upper harbour area where Dunedin city was developed.
  • Dùn Èideann – Scottish Gaelic name for Edinburgh
  • More photos from my walk:
Entrance to the Chinese Gardens reflecting Dunedin’s association with Chinese immigrants dating back to 1866

A year in the country (sort of)

A year in the country (sort of)

A year ago last week “Practical Completion” of my new build allowed me to insure my new home in the country and move in. It was the day of Mum and Dad’s 70th wedding anniversary so a big day all around. Quite a few things didn’t work – automation is a great thing until it’s not – but it was (and still is) sparkly and the views are really quite special. Lots of green, some sea, more green, farms, some livestock, and green. Oh, and gorgeous sunsets.

There seems to be two types of people in the country where I am – locals, who wave like I’m their best friend – and everyone wants to help – they really do – but most of the people waving are strangers who wave when I’m out walking. Then there’s those passing through to the beach, generally in a big rush to get there very quickly and then relax quickly I assume.

I didn’t really realise but building on the top of hill with a valley below has features in the country you might not necessarily think of. Or maybe I was a bit naive. Everyone can see you! Well not me personally or close up (I hope), but the house, what I’m doing on the land, and whether I have visitors. Walking and looking back up at my house it sticks out a lot more than when I’m looking out. And it’s not a massive house by any measure, but noticable.

“They’re watching what you’re doing Stephen” my local friend and farming advisor Philip tells me. “Watching what?“, “Well they like what you’re doing, making that land something, the planting, the silage and that sort of thing“. I hope they like it! Being a silage farmer isn’t exactly the sort of earning you might give up your day job for. More like getting paid (eventually) an amount that is similar to what you might pay to mow the grass.

As best as I can tell the last building to inhabit my site was a school in the 1940s, so I guess it’s something new. Building a home and making it just right seems to be a forever thing. Firstly, getting beyond “Practical Completion” to the elusive Code of Compliance Certificate is a topic for another day otherwise this blog might turn into something slightly less friendly! In the country on a little bit of land – yes everyone told me – it’s never done. Not like a satisfying few hours in a city house where the garden can be brought into shape, with time to wash the car and hose the driveway for good measure on a Sunday afternoon. Nope, it’s a journey.

And I’ve had to get my head around not every corner is always as I want it – in fact no corner is really. But I’ve got a massive list of mini and major projects and I just get at them when I can – one step at a time, and I can see a difference. I remember attending a session at Cornwall Park on their 100 year plan once and the vision that the designers have is awesome. I’m not that grand by any means but having a master plan has meant progress is actually not too bad, and helps me to relax about the bits that still need attention, or won’t get done until 2025 say.

The country – you can see further, and you need to think further too.

Stephen

A walk in the park

A walk in the park

It’s quite a different city from when I left four decades ago, and coming back – settling in the city for part of the week and some weekends – has felt both easy and foreign. Christchurch is largely built on the flat, and walking through the three Hagley Parks and one Botanic Gardens today, I did wish for a bit of challenge to the heart! You can get in a good groove though – audiobook and easy paths – and although it was cold, it was clear and there were lots of runners, dog walkers and cyclists. I’m not sure you need a motor vehicle living in the city, it’s very walkable, safe, and quite attractive too. I’m not sure if locals quite realise how stunning Hagley Park is on foot. Small children play football in the freezing cold – that’s a memory of the Linwood Rugby Club!

I chose to live in the city here now, it’s got a bit of spark, fantastic walking and cycling with some quite exciting architecture and of course the greens and river, and modern streetscape. Ideal for an addicted walker like me!

I’ve been a reasonably frequent visitor over the years to my southern hometown, and when I took the leap to lead a team here, I knew that I had to have a fresh start and not go back to any old ways – a new apartment in the city for a start, live a flexible life, walk everywhere and get a bike on hand.

I didn’t articulate to myself why all those things needed to be true but it came clearer to me in the park. I try and keep my mind in the moment for those moments that bring up easy reflections and learnings – a glance at the kids playing football on the wet cold sunny grass did it at one point this morning – but I don’t enjoy living a life from that past at all. A fresh start in Otautahi keeps me forward looking, with the luxury of many old memories coming back full of rich memories to make life fuller.

Like a favourite old movie, remastered in stunning high definition!

Stephen