How to frame your objectives and get results

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Frameworks were important for my client, Ravi. As a cyber security expert, he cut his teeth using a variety of frameworks to secure network and computer systems from threats from cyber criminals. But now he was in leadership, he discovered his stakeholders could not relate to the complexity of his frameworks. The more detailed he became, the less they followed him.

The lightbulb moment for him was when he realised, he needed to distinguish between frameworks and framing. If he did not make the shift to framing his objectives, he would not bring his stakeholders along with him on his important new strategy.… Read more

Great leaders show people appreciation in tangible ways

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My four grandchildren live interstate, so it has meant that I could not visit them for a few months because of COVID travel restrictions. They are budding artists, so I asked them for some drawings for my study wall. It is hard to describe my joy when their masterpieces turned up in the mail the other day. Their love hearts and rainbows take pride of place on my wall. There was something tangible about their drawings that goes beyond our FaceTime calls, good as they are.… Read more

Why leaders who care about people are critical

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Satya Nadella, CEO Microsoft, makes a powerful case for the importance of leadership in the path to global recovery. Speaking at a recent panel discussion hosted by The Australian Financial Review he said, “We as humans, irrespective of whether we are young or old, will always require human contact. To somehow think that because technology is enabling us to connect in spite of the constraints to think that this is the way we want to connect, is probably going to be wrong as a long-term prediction.”… Read more

Leaders shift their mindset and focus on results

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A raft of problems beset Marie. The new boss had thrown the pieces of the organisation jigsaw puzzle into the air. Her position was now in question. Some colleagues had their knives out, competing for resources and attention.

Marie worried a lot and questioned whether she had what it takes to do the job. When she stepped back, she realised she had taken things personally that were not personal. Anyone in her position would face the same challenges. Instead of doubting if she could cope, she asked herself, “How do I powerfully deal with the challenges I face?”… Read more

How to adopt a beginner’s mindset

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Have you had a first time experience during lockdown? In the past week I have attended an online funeral service, a virtual wine-tasting session, a zoom book launch and held client coaching sessions via video. They were all alternatives to traditional face-to-face meetings. Of course, they were not as good as the real thing. But they were better than nothing. I am sure you have your own examples of first time experiences. Perhaps you started a new job and you are meeting people while working from home.… Read more