Perspectives on Mental Health Week When we hear “mental health”, the words ADHD, social withdrawal, anxiety, depression and suicide tend to surface. This is counter-productive. Aristotle’s and the Stoics eudaimonia is a powerful idea. It may be a better frame to reduce suffering. Supported by 2,500 years of practical philosophy, eudaimonia means good (eu) spirit […]
Mental Health: a leader’s guide
Early thoughts on a new test of leadership The pressure is on for leaders to understand and manage the mental health risk. This complex topic will test our leadership skills. Three forces of change are driving this pressure and they are accelerating: Mental health problems are becoming much more common Health and Safety legislation clearly […]
How to Master your Anger
Anger mastery transforms your life and our world While treating a music industry executive for dangerously high blood pressure, I noticed that in the mornings it was high and in the afternoons almost normal. This man loved his job and was otherwise very healthy. One afternoon after a normal reading, he told me about his road […]
Resilient Leadership in a Nutshell
Insight, mastery, connection and influence Resilience searches are booming and many definitions exist. We believe it is a learned ability to demonstrate bounce, courage, connection and creativity. This set of skills is closely interrelated. Bounce requires courage, connection and creativity. Equally, creativity requires bounce, courage and connection. While interrelated, cultivating resilient leadership is a journey that […]
Empathy: have we taken it too far?
Distorted and short-sighted or the solution for our lives and our planet? First, I recommend that you read both of these masterful books before you judge. Paul Bloom has put the cat amongst the pigeons with one book that stands against a wave of 1,500 plus books on empathy. We have gorged on empathy. We […]
Women Suffering at Work
Resilience Delivers Part Two Read Part 1 here. Forget the Glass Ceiling: Fix Resilience Are women more resilient than men or are women suffering? We see evidence of resilience in longevity, pregnancy, and capacity to change societal outcomes through education. Yet, our data, drawn from organisational life, shows women suffering at work. They are struggling with resilience […]
Christmas Connection Workouts
The Point Coming to the end of 2016, NOW is the time to work on connection. All too often we crash exhausted into Christmas holidays. Combined with unrealistic expectations we are irritable and prone to excess. Conflict erupts, anger and sadness leave us isolated and disconnected. An opportunity for rejuvenating connection and joy can be […]
“Take a deep breath” is bad advice!
Taking a deep breath will create arousal, anxiety, distress, and reduce CO2 even more. “Experts”, from physicians to coaches, default to this faulty recommendation. The science of breathing demonstrates how this advice is scientifically and practically wrong. Rather, apply the correct practice to counter distress, calm, focus and connect to reality. Basic science to understand: 1. […]
Coaching for Team Flow
A practice guide for coaching exceptional teams We have worked hard to help people be better team members and leaders to be better at supporting their teams. Yet the team is clearly an organism in its own right. Team performance is in the spotlight. We know that team behaviours determine performance. How might the science […]