People Matter ∴ Do Good

Lead a vivid life that does good

Month: February 2016

Is chasing security really going to change the world?

29 February 2016 /

How are you seeking to make an IMPACTIn your job; at school; when at home; or even in your relationships … are you seeking security or impact?

Security equals safety and stability. It’s the status quo that is free from the fear of change.

Impact on the other hand is a forceful word. Think collision.

It’s influence.

Change.

And forward momentum.

To seek impact though, is to risk failure and mistakes. It also takes time and work. Sadly that’s why many people choose security.

By choosing security, we rob others of our unique place to shape and contribute and make an impact.

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Are you seeking security or impact?

Please, please, choose IMPACT!

 

When was the last time you did something for the first time?

22 February 2016 /

When was the last time you did something newThe other week I tried riding a Segway/Hover Board for the first time. It didn’t go well; I lost balance, crashed, then gave up after one attempt fearing injury and a bruising to my ego. Not surprisingly my son with his young plastic mind got it almost straight away.

Doing something for the first time is healthy for your mind. It causes the brain to learn and adapt to new knowledge.

Doing something for the first time is risky. You might get hurt, emotionally or relationally or even physically. Often you won’t enjoy it the first time, because it’s hard to learn or do something new.

That shouldn’t stop you trying.

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We should make doing something for the first time a goal for each week.

It could be the first time you do something adventurous like Wake Boarding. The first time you read a new author. The first time you have lunch with your neighbour. The first time we walk somewhere we normally drive. The first time you learn a new skill. The first time you watch a TED video, or the 100th time but the first time you watch one that doesn’t appeal to you.

So many ways to do something for the first time.

What’s really stopping you?

Why disconnected people are more valuable to a business

16 February 2016 /

IAnnual Leave‘m just back from 3 weeks uninterrupted leave, and I often joke before going on leave that I only want to be contacted if the building is burning down (that way I can get my photo of the day).

Even as CEO when I am on Annual Leave, I am on leave. It’s my time, or family time, and as much as I love my work, it’s not Agoge’s time or that of our clients. In fact there are only two things I want to know about, major safety incidents or significant illnesses, and of course the building burning down.

I believe that disconnected, uninterrupted leave is one of the most important things we can do to increase our value to our organisations. Without the disconnect of leave, passion wains, creativity dries up and resentment can kick in.

Whereas the break always helps you reconnect with the people you love. It gives you time to chill. To unwind. To clear your head. For those in physical work where the demands are different to my job. It gives your body a chance to relax, recoup and recharge.

More than anything else you become aware that work is not meant to be all-consuming.

None of this is new or a surprise. So my challenge is this…

When you take leave – do you fully disconnect?

And.

When others are away – do you relentlessly protect their leave?

I hope the answer to both is YES.

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Taking uninterrupted leave takes a lot more discipline than most people afford it.

For me personally I need to discipline myself to DND my phone. To disconnect my email on my phone and laptop. And to not take an interest in work stuff.

Similarly my team needs to know, it’s unacceptable to call. And they need to be empowered to make decisions.

In the end, the discipline for everyone is worth it.

Does familiarity stop you listening?

9 February 2016 /

Often our familiarity with a person can stop us hearing the wisdom they offerRecently I was having coffee with a guy who had taken some advice I have given him and was raving about it. The funny thing is that he confessed to me that one of his team had given him the same advice a few months earlier and he had largely ignored it.

Often our familiarity with a person can cause us to be less receptive to a person’s opinion.

Our familiarity to our leaders, colleagues, team mates, parents, partners, or even kids can make us disregard the insights they offer.

We often have incredible respect and trust for those closest to us. We know their strengths, weaknesses and are in constant conversation with them. And all this familiarity can lead us to not even consider the firsthand wisdom they offer.

If we do this often, they will stop speaking into our life.

What a loss that would be.

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There is a twofold implication for familiarity…

Firstly, we need to remember to not only listen to those closest to us, but also to take time to truly consider their opinion, rather than just shrug it off.

And, there are times when we really need to hear the truth by listening to someone who doesn’t know us well and who is respectful enough to be candid about their opinion. It can make us feel a little bit foolish, but at least we have no choice but to take notice.

The easiest path, if we’re honest, is through those closest to us.

The story that shapes your life.

1 February 2016 /

The Story you tell yourselfIn my final years of high school I was labelled. I was average (to below average). I lacked discipline. I needed to work harder. It would have been easy for me to accept that story and have it define my life.

What your schools, friends, colleagues and even family say about you is far less important than it seems.

Far more important is the story you tell yourself.

You get to choose the story that shapes your life.

No one else.

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Fortunately, the person I am today is dramatically different to the person I was 20 years ago.

Over the years I’ve learnt that its not the things I am told that hold me back. It is almost entirely the things I tell myself.

And to be honest, the stories we tell ourselves are a lot harder to change than we think.

BUT (I use this word intentionally), they can be changed.

That should give you great hope for the future.

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