6 Principles for team performance The America’s Cup puts talent, technology, fitness and team flow in the spotlight. This is complex team performance. Perhaps, we might apply these lessons in the workplace. At speeds over 70km per hour, surfing razor-like margins on space-age technology, the challenge to each team is intense. Mastering the new generation […]
The future of leadership training
The problem HBR October 2016 article “Why Leadership Training Fails” by Beer, Finnstrom and Scrhrader poses a radical rethink on training. Organisations spent US$356 billion on training in 2015 with questionable returns. The implications are uncomfortable. We take it seriously. To serve our clients we have to work at this. In a nutshell, training does […]
“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 […]
Tilting the Axis of Good and Evil
Empathy, Candour, Altruism, Deceit and Trickery Five words define the crucible of civilization and the battle between conflict and progress. This is true in our relationships, communities, businesses and nations. Whether it is Brexit, the current US election, climate threat, rich getting richer, or data security, we decide based on our judgement of these five […]
Tough Love Talking
Human interactions lie on a bell curve from acts of wanton violence to joyous collaboration. Every day we witness interactions from the full spectrum and live our lives in our own particular zone of competence. The pain of wanton destruction where people and societies degrade their interactions towards the left is clear to all. […]
Safe + Well + Effective
Initiatives to deliver safety, wellbeing (physical, emotional and cognitive) and effectiveness are in the ascendant – more demand, more providers and higher expectations. Increasingly, legislation is pushing responsibility for employee health and safety to senior management and directors. We have come a long way in a couple of decades. Exploring five questions can help directors […]
Hope or Habit: Success Rituals
Last month I had the privilege of sharing stories with a number of world class leaders. One of them is an icon of the deal. He tells the story of a career of finding his way into the most risky and profitable business zones that his colleagues barely comprehend. Sure he has lost some, but he […]
Flow Expertise at Work
In the recent Cricket World Cup, Grant Elliot hit a six and took New Zealand to the final. When asked what was in his mind when he hit the ball, without hesitation he said: “NOTHING.” On the brink of loss, he finds FLOW and transforms the hopes of a nation. Flow is a biological state […]