A walk along the road : my reflective blog

I do a lot of work with  individuals  around identifying their values. I always watch for that slight look of suspicion and doubt from many managers and leaders when I suggest thinking about their values.  It is interesting  that  we sometimes react to and perceive values to be abstract and 'soft' and of no value in terms of effective leadership.  For those that do engage with doing work around their values it is very  revealing  how frequently, the gap between an  individual's  core values and their current  situation  brings clarity to issues they are facing at the time.  Authentic leadership is a concept that has gained popularity in recent years, particularly in the business world. At its core, authentic leadership is about being true to oneself and one's values. It's about leading with integrity and transparency, and building meaningful relationships with others. One of the key characteristics of authentic leadership is self-awareness. Authentic leaders have a

Today's  walk was a good time to reflect on a number of 360 degree reports I facilitated with clients this week. While discussing colleague feedback it was evident with each person the increased awareness they gained from considering their reports.  In every case each client was able to come away with actions and increased appreciation of their behaviours and the how these impact on those around them. Self-awareness is a crucial trait for effective leadership. A leader who is self-aware understands their strengths, weaknesses, and areas for growth. This knowledge allows them to make decisions that align with their values and goals, while also being mindful of how their actions impact others. Leaders who lack self-awareness can inadvertently create a toxic work environment. They may fail to recognise how their behaviour affects those around them, leading to low morale and high turnover rates. In contrast, a self-aware leader is more likely to create a positive and supportive workpla

Coaching is an effective and powerful tool for personal and professional development. It involves a process of working with a coach to set goals, identify challenges, and create action plans to achieve them. The benefits of coaching are numerous and can have a positive impact on an individual's life. Here are some additional points that can provide more context and information about coaching: Coaching is often used in the workplace to help employees improve their performance and reach their potential. Coaching can also be used for personal development, such as improving communication skills or overcoming limiting beliefs. A coach is trained to ask questions and listen actively, helping individuals gain clarity and perspective on their goals and challenges. Coaching sessions can be conducted in person, over the phone, or via video conferencing. The coach-client relationship is built on trust and confidentiality, allowing individuals to feel safe and supported in their coaching journ

I had an interesting conversation with a leader today who was concerned by what they described as a 'very demotivated' team.  We spent time talking about all that was not working and then turned the discussion onto what was going well. This naturally led to the importance and benefit of having and expressing gratitude. Leadership is not just about taking charge and making decisions. It’s also about creating a positive work environment where employees feel valued and appreciated. One way to do that is by expressing gratitude. Gratitude is the act of acknowledging and being thankful for the good things in life. In a work setting, expressing gratitude can boost morale, increase job satisfaction, and improve productivity. When employees feel appreciated, they are more likely to be engaged and committed to their work. As a leader, expressing gratitude can take many forms. It can be as simple as saying “thank you” or acknowledging a job well done. It can also involve providing opport

Today’s walk along the road was achieved by careful timing and watching the clouds to avoid the rain. I found myself wondering about a conversation I had last week about the language we use in work situations relating to how busy we all are.   I caught myself saying that I had ‘back to back meetings all day’ not sure if I was looking for admiration or pity.  The fact that I could feel the uncomfortableness of the fact, combined with an annoyance with myself for getting into this situation collided and I adopted a resigned to accept it outlook.  With the time to reflect today – I wonder how often I willingly allow myself to get into the too busy being busy mode.  The day goes so quickly – for sure ! Some around may marvel at my revolving office door and the constant foot fall ….  When I reflect on what I achieved during my day of meetings it is clear little or any of it could truly be called ‘deep work’ – in contrast to what is described as ‘shallow work’ – those non-productive meetings