Tag: Personal Development

Happy on your holiday?

I know I’m not the first, in fact I might be the last, but I’m back at work.  I got that strange feeling again I get about 4 days away from going back to work that says “why do you work?! is that really necessary?”.

On the way out this evening from the office I ran into the cleaner “so it was a tough day?” he enquired “yeah but the first day always is but I reckon I’ll be back!”

So having got those thoughts out I’m back.  New and improved with sunburn behind my knees.  Yes, for the first time in over 4 years of running I burnt the back of my knees running the Waiheke Wharf2Wharf on Saturday.  Not quite sure why?? What fantastic views and equally fantastic hills.  It was a beautiful day, but certainly one of the more challenging events I’ve been in.

The break gave me a chance to read, run and rest.  It was great.  I’m re-reading Stephen Hawking’s A brief history of time which I find fascinating and certainly puts into perspective our lives.  Actually we’re pretty lucky just to be here (the odds were very long), not to mention living in a relatively safe, open, free country with the best outdoors imaginable. Those of you that came on the Authentic Leadership Course will know the value of what the outdoors can teach us about leadership so I’m determined to continue in that vein both personally and professionally this year.

So what happened to leadership over the break?  Well the prime minister went to Hawaii and left his deputy to look after us.  We didn’t mind, in fact we didn’t really notice did we? The PM obviously trusted his deputy to take the reins while he had a break with family (good call I say).  As for the deputy, well he seemed to not interfere with what we were doing – we just got on and did it.

Maybe as leaders we all need to go on holiday a bit more often.  What do you think?

Stephen

ps Should we help our fellow humans in Haiti out?  The tectonic plates showed their usual indifference to human needs and the resulting tragedy is really quite horrific. I’ll give a bit to Doctors without Borders I think.


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Lesson one from 2009: there is more than one lesson!

I’m fortunate – I don’t work in a salt mine – though I do like my life to have full flavour. These are my New Year’s day ramblings looking back on my leadership lessons from 2009. They’re personal to me – there’s only one person in the world you can change – and for me, that’s me.  I’ve put in italics what these things mean to me.  They might not mean the same thing or anything to you.  That’s okay.

  1. Being happy really is important, really important.  Could be all there is!  Will you follow an unhappy leader?
  2. There is no superhero who can change anything!  (except you).  You’re the leader, so lead.
  3. We all have a default expression – mine is grim, so I better watch it ‘cos I’m laughing inside!  First impressions can count.
  4. I love distance running – the more I do the better I feel.  It helps me to focus, solve problems, keep healthy, try ideas out with my fellow runners and I see more of the country than I ever thought possible.  A healthy leader is around longer.
  5. Give.  That was a promise I made in March.  It’s an attitude shift and much easier and more rewarding than I thought it would be.  It’s not  to be confused with marketing or sampling.  It’s giving only.  Leadership is about giving for others.
  6. Twelve months ago I was going through changes.  Many people helped me for which I am very grateful.  I notice there are people right now going through similar changes.  I hope I can return the support given to me to others.  Leadership is about giving for others (again!)
  7. I’ll never give up having fun and laughing.  Authenticity.
  8. Someone will wrong you.  But in the end you’ll learn so much you will be grateful for the experience. Reflection is a powerful leadership habit.
  9. I try not to pretend.  Authenticity.

In 2010 I want to let my creativity flow to discover new ways to continue to learn about leadership with other happy people who want to make a difference.  Full flavour for me in 2010.

So when I say happy new year, the happy part really is important.

Happy new year!

Stephen

ps did you know that in New Zealand’s largest wine growing region, Marlborough, we mine salt?


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No circulars please, we’re special in here!

Although the metal sign on my letterbox requests that no circulars be placed inside, the Auckland City deliverer can be guaranteed to still distribute their weekly newsletter. Usually, as I put out the rubbish and recycling bin on Sunday evening there is a quick transfer from letterbox to bin and I give it no more thought.

For some reason this week I took the newsletter inside and read about a new development at a park that that the city had acquired and was to develop further –  Monte Cecilia Park in Hillsborough.

Earlier this afternoon I asked my (just turned) 17 year old son Tim if he would like to go for a walk in the Domain.  We were about to head off when my neighbour Rhonda greeted us and suggested we visit that new park in Hillsborough. Good idea we agreed and after Rhonda helpfully found the address for us we headed there.  It turns out it’s less than 5 minutes drive from home.

The park is huge, tucked away from the main road, but with a The residue of Guy Fawkes nightsweeping landscape of lawn and enormous rubber trees. Our arrival in the carpark took the number of cars from 2 to 3.  A rubbish bin jammed full of the residue of a wild Guy Fawkes night greeted us.

On the leadership work we do we sometimes use photographs as prompts to talk about ourselves and where we are at. This seemed like a great place to take some more photographs and I did, explaining to Tim what I might use the photographs for.

Tim’s a young 17 year old – often mistaken for much younger and still loves family time and adventure with Dad. I asked Tim if we were to take a photo of anything in the park to describe his life and where he was at, what would he choose.

“Well I think I would be that rather scrawny little tree up by the really big trees” he said after some thought.  “Tell me more” I encouraged. “I am small, but I’m getting bigger and I will grow up into a big tree, but right now I’m small”.  “And what about the big trees, what do they mean for you?” I enquired, “they protect me and look after me while I’m still growing”.

Monte Cecilia Park, Hillsborough, AucklandWhoever you ask this of, their imagery will be special, and will be different – sitting back and taking the time to hear where others are at, encouraging them to use their imagery can be the most special thing  – you might be surprised how much others need you.

Every leadership story is unique. Every person’s story is unique. Take the time to find it and you might just find more than you could ever hope for.

No Circulars Please! We’re special in here!


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Are you cutting corners to save time?

During an afternoon coffee with a friend today we talked about a significant event that had impacted on both of us over a period of time.  My friend had initially been somewhat on the peripheral of what was going on and I had assumed that the details of the events were not necessarily of great importance to him.

How wrong I was.

During our discussion it became apparent that what I had seen as unnecessary explanation or detail was in fact rightly perceived as non-disclosure.  My friend was not judgemental in this regard but was honest in seeking to understand why it appeared that I had made selected and timely disclosures of information as it suited me.

I believed I was simply saving time.  I know that I was also avoiding potentially difficult conversations which I had not been ready for.  I was cutting corners.  Not only was that wrong,  I shouldn’t have even been on the road.  I wasn’t ready.

Not everyone needs every detail.  But when you are dealing with your trust bank, there really is no short cut.

Don’t get on the road, if you’re thinking of taking short cuts! People will notice. I was fortunate this time to have a friend who believed in me enough to tell me.


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