3 min read
Like it or not, you're in sales: here's a new framework
Everyone's in sales Sales isn't sleazy Sales is about care Improve your skills.
Newsletter (3)
1 min read
How to be more strategic
I teach two-day workshops and eight-week courses on how to be more strategic. I've written you three books on the topic. But you're busy, and you...
4 min read
Why your strategy is failing and how to fix it
Many of us have the wrong idea about strategy. We think it's about workshops and documents and then struggle to understand why everyone's still doing...
1 min read
Mate, it's just work
Much of my stress comes from work—or at least, that's where I choose to experience it. And I'm my own boss, doing whatever I want! I can only begin...
3 min read
Strategy: not your job?
When the task obstructs the goal Here's a little vignette from my life last week, juggling work, kids, and clients.
4 min read
How to lead people when you’re feeling worried: 5 top tips
In this post: It's hard to lead when you're worried It's OK if you're feeling worried Five things you can do. It's hard to lead when you're worried...
3 min read
How to get on top of your stupidly long list
It's the most... overwhelming... time of the yeeear. 🎶
1 min read
What strategic planning is about (and not about)
Last week, I sent you a 4-minute strategy breakdown from a recorded webinar - about what strategy is, and how it works. You flooded our inbox with...
4 minute low-down: what "strategy" is
Here's a four-minute strategy breakdown from a recorded webinar—what and how strategy works. If four minutes is too long, here's the sub-100-word...
2 min read
Nurture a network of freaks
Your peer group will shape you Choose a new normal Be a freak of nurture. Your peer group will shape you The company you keep will shape your life...
6 min read
You deserve this. Bye. (Dealing with jealousy)
Why do people get jealous when you shine? How to recognise that behaviour in yourself. Two things to focus on when people are negative. The single...
4 min read
Set your own direction
The unhelpful pressure of a master plan Navigation needs a starting point Get perspective on your past Set your future compass Take the next right...
6 min read
Pay yourself first
Why you need to pay yourself first My experiment with sequencing Useful strategies for your life An important disclaimer. Why You Need to Pay...
3 min read
A fresh take on SMART goals: Crazy-SMART goals!
Are you aiming too low? What are your most important goals right now? Do you have them written down? If you do, take a moment to pull them out—I have...
2 min read
How to make a good decision
In this post: Decisions are hard. Focus on process, not outcomes. All good decisions contain action. Making decisions is hard work. It’s hard enough...
7 min read
'aha'! meet: the ambitious high achiever
Backache Signs you're an AHA My one question for you A prescription for change. Backache Two weeks ago, I pulled three 16+ hour days in a row. I...
1 min read
Two questions to understand yourself differently
What would you do for free? What are your favourite household jobs? A useful reminder, in case you're doubting yourself What I'd do for free I've...
1 min read
Throw your raft in the ocean
In an old Buddhist parable, a man is trapped on one side of a rushing river. On this side of the river, there is great danger and uncertainty; on the...
12 min read
How to identify, set, and defend your boundaries
It's hard to set boundaries. We don't want to let people down or look bad. But when we refuse to draw a line in the sand about what we will and won't...
3 min read
Why are you like this? Tricky questions that need asking
"Why am I like this?!" is a bit of a catchphrase in my house. Usually, I’m bemoaning something I’ve stuffed up. Either I’ve messed up my admin,...
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...
2 min read
Strike while the iron is hot
I went to a blacksmiths festival recently. It's a bit out of the ordinary for my general weekend entertainment, but talk about impressive! It’s...
2 min read
Should the public sector have customers?
I ran a programme with the senior leadership team at Christchurch City Council about five years ago. One thing I noticed about how GMs communicated...