2 min read
The paradox of public leadership
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times” “I must be cruel to be kind” “The child is the father of the man” Literature is full of...
4 min read
Say no nicely: challenging conversations
Last week I talked about the importance of putting first things first, to prioritise progress. But here’s the thing with priorities. Setting them is...
2 min read
How to focus more clearly
I’ve always been close with my Nanna. I’ve turned to her a lot over the years as I’ve juggled kids, work, study, friends, relationships and...
1 min read
Snow melts from the edges: futurist thinking
I am often astonished at how little some executive teams know about what’s happening inside and outside their buildings.
1 min read
Embrace awkwardness for better decisions
Good decisions need diversity. And I mean real diversity - age, background, gender, the whole lot. This is bad news for those who use the "diversity...
1 min read
Strategy is everyone’s job
Have you ever heard of Not My Job (NMJ) syndrome? There are some particularly hilarious examples on the internet. I like this one:
1 min read
Real leaders let go
The number one complaint I hear from senior public leaders is about time—or a lack thereof. This isn’t really about time, of course, but space. There...
1 min read
Real leaders let go
The number one complaint I hear from senior public leaders is about time—or a lack thereof. This isn’t really about time, of course, but space. There...
1 min read
Pushing back
Marie Kondo, in The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, suggests getting rid of everything in our lives that doesn’t ‘spark joy’. Clearing clutter...
1 min read
Take Risks to Make Progress
Most turtles live almost half of their lives inside their shell. Every time they sense an enemy, or the weather’s no good, they retreat and wait. I...
2 min read
The paradox of public leadership
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times” “I must be cruel to be kind” “The child is the father of the man” Literature is full of...
1 min read
The grey area
I often discuss the importance of brave public service—community-focused, impact-led policy and strategy decisions that change our world.
1 min read
Get out of the weeds you love
Do you miss the "real work"? The 'paradox of leadership', according to Greg McKeown, is that as we advance in seniority, we can become so overwhelmed...
1 min read
The grey area
I often discuss the importance of brave public service—community-focused, impact-led policy and strategy decisions that change our world.
1 min read
Practice makes autopilot
I invest in professional development for three days every three months and head off to business school in Australia. Those three days are always the...
1 min read
Take the handbrake off: systems change
Eating well sucks. I’m currently in training season for a marathon and doing my best to put the right fuel in for long Sunday Rundays. I’m also on a...
1 min read
Take the handbrake off: systems change
Eating well sucks. I’m currently in training season for a marathon and doing my best to put the right fuel in for long Sunday Rundays. I’m also on a...
1 min read
Time to light some fires
Firefighters have a demanding job. On the one hand, they do everything we expect in a crisis, like turning up and fighting a roaring blaze. Behind...
2 min read
Preparation beats prediction
One of my favourite strategy workshops to run is about strategic risk - preparing for the worst. I recognise that sounds dire, but I promise it...
2 min read
Public sector leadership: navigating the layer of crazy
I worked with a team late last year who were struggling to reconcile what they saw as the right way forward for their agency, with the fickle demands...
3 min read
Creativity, strategy and magic
I’ve spent my life in a quiet awe of musicians and creative people. People that seem to be able to create beauty out of nowhere. What an incredible...
2 min read
Focus - to have, to do, or to be.
I had a minor mutiny on my hands last week. I got so little “work” done in the last two weeks that my long-suffering Business Manager Diane revolted....