Human beings love the idea of escaping the rat race and living a life of harmony. The over simplified meaning of rat race according to Wikipedia; A rat race is an endless, self-defeating, or pointless pursuit. The phrase equates humans to rats attempting to earn a reward such as cheese, in vain. It may also… Continue reading Living in a state of flow
Leadership : The art of motivating a group of people or individuals to achieve an objective. Why use the term ‘Wholesome’ ~ The following words describe aspects of wholesomeness : Considerate, compassionate, healthy, thoughtful, generous, genuine, selfless Is it possible to get the absolute best out of people if we have a wholesome approach? 100%… Continue reading Three keys to Wholesome Leadership to create winning teams
Human beings have a fascination with the existence of God, the after life and the meaning of life beyond instinct. In ancient times, even the great Pharaohs, the heads of state and leaders of the people would try to immortalise themselves by burying treasures with them to bring to the afterlife. In 2020 the battle… Continue reading God visits us when we deny Him most, why?
In a world that is bent on self destruction through violence, control and supremacy, there is still an art to winning over your enemy without a battle. A quote from Sun Tzu, The Art of War ~ ‘Supreme excellence consists of breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting’ In order to do this, every leader must… Continue reading Know your calling and maximise your gifting, I’m called to be an armour bearer, so who do I help?
The world is changing rapidly when it comes to the value of labour. From the Industrial Age that created the fastest labour force in history, individuals have had a $ dollar value placed on their lives like a science. Governments implement minimum wage and benefits policies, businesses implement wages based on outcomes. Coming into a… Continue reading Pay workers their worth; the ancients said, “Don’t muzzle the ox that tread out the corn”
Team: A group of players forming one side in a competitive game or sport, is the simplest definition. Wether it’s in sport, the corporate world or the not for profit sector, teams are imperative. Any coach worth their salt looks for talent in individuals that will compliment the team, it’s that simple. 1. Recognising Individual… Continue reading Three steps to developing a Team Spirit
Kindness : The quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate. Kindness is not being astute, calculating and intentional in order to win or have an advantage; kindness wins by having a largeness of heart. In a hostile world that is very territorial, the very idea of kindness can appear weak and debilitating. It takes a… Continue reading Kindness can move a mountain in families, neighbourhoods and city hall
The simplest term in the Ancient Greek used in the Lord’s Prayer. Part of the prayer goes ‘Forgive us our debts as we forgive them indebted to us’ We all know that feeling of carrying the burden of our own failures and misgivings. Who doesn’t want to experience salvation (wholeness), that feeling of being complete.… Continue reading Ἄφες : FORGIVE AND BE FREE
Many of us have come across this quote “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results.” The very idea of good intentions, being hard working and trying our best is enough is a sure sign of risking perpetual seasons high anxiety. Every journey we take in life is different… Continue reading When trying harder creates anxiety, it’s time to change strategies
I’ve had the privilege of working with many different individuals holding leadership roles. It’s fascinating how only a few of these leaders seem to glue their projects together with minimal effort, I call them Lateral Leaders My observations of these few and how they differ 1. The Lateral Leader has an overall vision of what… Continue reading Lateral Leaders see the whole puzzle and influence change, they don’t force pieces that don’t fit
When we talk about thinking outside the box; rarely is the concept adopted because we have to risk what we think we already know. There is nothing more comforting than knowing Knowing feels like an accomplishment Knowing how to add up numbers, write a sentence, putting a recipe together... the simple delight in just knowing… Continue reading Making people think outside the box is not as easy as it looks, 3 reasons why
The idea that a CEO, MD or Head of a department encouraging open conversation sounds noble, to see it played out is rare, why? Unless the Leader exemplifies open conversation to create that safe space, having any open door policy is futile An example of false open door communication that I experienced in my late… Continue reading How is your open door policy going?
Imagine someone calling you the light of the world, honouring you with such a heavy burden, what would you do? Many of us struggle to accept that we carry much light at all let alone be the light of the world. 1. It’s easy not to accept such an honourable calling - It allows us… Continue reading Light draws truth, hope and joy, stop hiding in the shadows
If we are to make impact in uncharted territory, we need to have the right team It’s the leaders role to know the destination, not necessarily the whole process of getting there Most leaders that seem to have all the answers stay in safe waters and rarely experience new opportunities In the industrial era we… Continue reading A leader’s job is to replace themselves, to create far reaching impact
Nature teaches us so much if we are open to it. When we look at a natural forrest, it develops an eco system where all sorts of living creatures survive as a result. Human beings are brilliant at taking elements of nature and creating controlled eco systems which produces quality fruit, we call this harvesting.… Continue reading Trees create other trees, not just fruit. Many leaders fall short of reproducing other leaders and only produce fruit, why?
It’s interesting how the ancient word Evangelist has been adopted by technology companies with a simple definition of what a Technology Evangelist does ‘A technology evangelist is a person who builds a critical mass of support for a given technology, and then establishes it as a technical standard in a market that is subject to… Continue reading 3 easy steps, how to become a professional business Evangelist?
Even the beggar will get a return on their time invested on the streets, asking for a handout, why wouldn’t you succeed if you have a solution for someone. I’ve marvelled at the consistency of beggars as they systematically ask individuals for money. To them it’s a numbers game and they do it because it… Continue reading Be consistent in what you offer even if no one acknowledges you today, why?
Humans are brilliantly resilient, but when we no longer believe, the death cycle starts. Believe in what? Believe that people can change, including us Believe in unexpected opportunities Believe we can reinvent ourselves again and again Believe that life’s mysteries are beyond comprehension and we are part of a greater purpose Believe in unconditional love… Continue reading Unbelief is a killer enemy, why?
I attended a women’s lunch recently held in a vineyard, surrounded by tall trees, grass and grapevines. The ladies were dressed beautifully with soft music playing in the background by a couple of young ladies. The three female speakers of the day shared personal aspects of their life very openly Each speaker started and ended… Continue reading Men need to cry more, they may just live longer
We are not meant to know and do everything A great sign of leadership maturity and humility is knowing our own limitations Creating that magic team starts by reaching out for others to help How do we get the help needed 1. Leaders create a worthwhile vision that draws curiosity If people are to get… Continue reading Leaders ask for help, no matter how accomplished they are
Over 2.45 Billion users log onto Facebook monthly, to travel the digital highway. With all that activity, very few go outside their tribe. Wether it’s Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Google+, Twitter, Snapchat, the average connections are between 90 and 240 These figures don’t vary much to the average weekly or monthly attendance of a church, mosque… Continue reading Digital Highways don’t stop tribalism, they just help find tribal members
Possessive, insecure, fearful, resentful, angry, an overwhelming sense of potential loss of relationship or possession Jealousy reveals itself in the most unusual settings and it doesn’t discriminate against kin or foe Jealousy can attack the closest of friends just as much and perhaps more so than an associate or neighbour 1. Jealousy starts with a… Continue reading Beware of the green eyed monster; jealousy destroys best friends
The words we speak or don’t speak are not static, they carry life or death With our words we can disarm a volatile situation or inflame it 1. Practice speaking life in every situation, why? Our words and our tone reveal what’s going on in our heart They reveal our confidence, fears, prejudice, likes, dislikes… Continue reading Speak life into every situation
When the teachers thought you were the least likely to succeed When you were overlooked for that promotion or job opportunity When you’ve failed at numerous attempts to start a lucrative business No one has ever heard of you All the above would be considered as having the underdog status moving forward 1. Being a… Continue reading 3 opportunities we have as underdogs
Luck’s simplest definition : success or failure apparently brought by chance rather than through one's own actions. Wether we want to call it luck, favour or blessing, the very idea that we can invoke an outcome not directly connected to a specific scientific act of cause and effect is exciting. Most of humanity believes in… Continue reading 3 ways to attract good luck
It’s difficult to find the person who coined this phrase, ‘Lead, follow or get out of the way’. I’ll guarantee they were decisive and not double minded. Lead If we ever take the lead position, be prepared for the following - People will challenge us and rightly so. Everyone has different expectations of leaders. We… Continue reading Lead, Follow or get out of the way
Discipline is definitely a key to progress, until our disciplines lock us up We all know those people who won’t break routine. Their routine has become their good luck charm and with that comes mental superstition. - It was a particular routine that helped us in the past and we fear to let it go… Continue reading Stop working harder, just change the routine
Anger is one of those emotions that needs to be preserved and used with absolute discretion 1. No one loses the temper, they simply direct it When someone tells you they lost their temper and couldn’t help lashing out, be weary of that person, don’t be sympathetic Like most emotions, anger is one that can… Continue reading 3 reasons why dealing with anger is better than lashing out
I remember decades ago, hearing a great message on the art of leadership. The key comment that stood out to me as a young man ‘Stick around long enough and watch those around you fall by the wayside’ 1. Leaders stick around long enough It’s amazing to see people rise because they have staying power… Continue reading 2 rules of leadership, longevity is our defence, fruit is our reward
Leadership Development is an unseen process. We’ve heard the phrase ‘Fake it till you make it’ which is another way of admitting, not everything you see is authentic. 1. Who wants to admit that they don’t know what they are doing 2. Who wants to admit that they don’t have the motivation to keep going… Continue reading Why do leaders seasonly feel alone?
It’s the most painful experiences that enlighten the most beautiful hearts When we are living the high life, it’s often difficult to recognise authentic relationships, opportunities and our capacity How could anything positive come out of hitting rock bottom? 1. We truly find out who our loved ones are When the honey moon is over… Continue reading 3 positives to hitting rock bottom
We don’t use the term Be Merciful much in everyday life, yet the healing that comes with acts of mercy is undeniable. We can get so preoccupied with Justice, Revenge and the day of Reckoning, we miss the connection that we are becoming sicker as a society. Being Merciful is not for the weak. Only… Continue reading Why Mercy heals the body, mind & spirit
Life begins at fifty 1. With the benefit of hindsight, we realise how foolish we were to worry about so many things that didn’t matter Navigating through all the empty words, broken promises and unrealistic expectations, we become less obsessed the older we get (I acknowledge some are late bloomers and may experience this in… Continue reading Getting older is cool, 3 reasons why?
The term ‘thou shalt not covet’ was carved in stone thousands of years ago for a reason. It was never meant to be replaced by another law. It was not open for discussion or interpretation. Anyone’s opinion to justify is null and void. Unlike a fantasy which is way beyond most people’s reach like having… Continue reading Why COVETING our neighbours possessions is fatal to personal development
Those who continue to exist and live in spite of danger and hardship 1. They accept the conditions around them, they don’t accept defeat Part of the survival journey is acknowledging the lay of the land, the environment we find our selves in. The moment we see things as they are we begin to glean… Continue reading 3 common attributes of survivors
Society has brilliantly elevated individuals and groups to the status of the gods projecting perfection as an achievable goal. The reality is, all human beings are as fragile as a clay pot that is fashioned and forged in fire for a purpose. 1. We are all uniquely crafted 2. We all have significance 3. We… Continue reading All human beings are made of clay, that’s why we all need love
A young man that I know noticed his elderly neighbour had a broken down car and felt inspired to go out and buy her a car that day. The neighbour had no idea that young man has his own needs to take care of, raising his family and put food on their table. Giving was… Continue reading The Greedy & the Givers produce different fruit as they stretch out their hand
It’s often admirable when we hear that someone is focused, they have a one track mind, they are like a dog on a bone. The idea of focus and discipline denotes qualities of character, resolve and resourcefulness. The idea of Tunnel Vision is different to focus. 1. Tunnel Vision doesn’t get the complete picture To… Continue reading 3 ways Tunnel Vision inhibits peripheral opportunities
The term RESET isn’t necessarily positive or negative. In the following blog, it’s an opportunity to free our mind and life from false expectations we have of ourselves and life’s circumstances. We have all experienced the glitch (that temporarily malfunction or fault in equipment). The first thing that we have become accustomed to is switch… Continue reading Permission to reset your life in 3 ways
The idea of virtual is not limited to the software world, it is as old as time. VIRTUAL - Something that exists in the mind and there’s an attempt to make it real Why Virtual Profiles Suck 1. We get trapped 24/7 projecting ourselves in an alternate universe where it’s hard to define where reality… Continue reading 3 Reasons Virtual Profiles Suck
Nothing worse than seeing someone step into roles they’re not suited to. It’s often the case when someone gets that promotion and they become miserable. To some, a promotion may end up being a demotion of the soul. They’ve gone from something they’re great at to the unfortunate mismatch of the square peg trying to… Continue reading Shake off the expectations and do what you’re good at
It’s an art to keep key people motivated and on task. It’s an accomplishment when key people give a greater return than projected KPI’s Who are the Key People? 1. Key people have appetite and we need to be intuitive enough to recognise what appetite looks like 2. Key people are connectors. They have their… Continue reading Key people make all the difference – Invest in them
Three lies that trap us An ancient king has one wish in a difficult season “I wish I had wings like a dove, so I could fly far away and be at peace.” King David How is it even possible that the king felt so confined? 1. Don’t believe the lie that more power brings… Continue reading 3 types of lies that confine us in cages
I woke up to a dream this morning where the question was asked about true riches? The answer was given like an impression rather than a voice “Having the freedom to think for yourself” The one thing that has been positive about a world crisis is just that; societies and individuals are rethinking what’s imperative… Continue reading The New Rich Syndrome ‘Having the freedom to think for yourself’ It’s catching fast
Just before you commit to that relationship or make that big purchase and all hell breaks loose, you begin to see the wisdom of life right before you. I’ve often pondered where I’d be if I got everything I ever prayed for, until I met those that have attained my fabricated destiny. Success is not… Continue reading When setbacks are an answer to unspoken prayers
Admitting my depression or despair didn’t kill me and it wont kill you. Acknowledgement and owning our state of heart and mind is the beginning of renewal. My fast paced world was about to end. The following will illustrate how crazy I had become mentally and emotionally, racing the sun half way across the country.… Continue reading Don’t cover up your deepest wounds. It’s time to reset and live (Lesson 1 Revised) 27 days
When you know what you want, nothing else matters. The beauty of youth is the romance we have about life because we’re so naive. We dream big and we make a date with destiny. The tragedy of ageing too quickly, we lose the fire in our belly and life becomes one grinding treadmill. We’ve become… Continue reading New beginnings is one choice away, just one choice (Lesson 87) 90 day challenge
Striving for perfect moments While perfection is just an illusion, human beings strive for that moment where everything aligns. It’s in our DNA to achieve, progress and renew A young couple look for meaning in a relationship. They court one another and plan for that perfect wedding that lasts for just a moment. A baby… Continue reading Perfection is just for a moment, chase it anyway (Lesson 76) 90 day challenge
When I visited one of my closest friends in hospital, it wasn’t long before my friend pleaded with the nurse to make me leave. I made him laugh too much and his stitches were tearing. An ancient proverb ‘A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones’ There’s nothing that… Continue reading When did you stop laughing? (Lesson 3 revised) 27 days
An Ancient Eastern Proverb - It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones. Resting body, mind & emotions opens up the world to new experiences Even nature reveals in our early development the… Continue reading Your mind, body and emotions need some rest from worry, not activity (Lesson 5) 27 days
Everyone needs personal space to flourish, so to be left alone from time to time is not all bad. People that end up feeling lonely often place a hedge around their lives which repels sincere companionship. Most toxic relationships are often a result of individuals not knowing the difference between being alone and becoming lonely.… Continue reading Being alone and being lonely aren’t the same (Lesson 7 Revised) 27 days
An ancient proverb reveals the progression of friendship ‘A person who has friends must be friendly, but there is a friend that becomes closer than a sibling’ Three steps to long term friendships, simple to do, difficult to find. 1. Try to be nice, a smile goes a long way I’ve always enjoyed seeing icy… Continue reading 3 steps to long lasting friendships (Lesson 12 Revised) 27 days
There’s nothing worse than a relationship gone wrong, be it friends, marriage or in the work place. There’s three steps to minimise that feeling of contempt in others and them in you. 1. Lifelong relationships need space to develop If a relationship starts off with with sparks, it’s probably a good thing. All to often… Continue reading 3 steps to avoid the contempt of familiarity (Lesson 24 Revised) 27 days
What are we trying to produce? Getting the soil conditions fertile so the seed can prosper and multiply is foundational to any long lasting productivity. Raising a family, schooling and workplace environment, it’s all about the culture we set in place that determines the fruit we will produce. Having a mother birthed in a harsh… Continue reading A MISSION ORIENTATED LIFE, YOU HAVE TO SEE THE END BEFORE IT APPEARS
"I am just a grain of sand" During my visit in Manhattan, New York I'm asking random unsuspecting people big questions about themselves and society. From the homeless, business people, lawyers, producers and this guy. A picture is worth a thousand words. I’m sitting in the foyer of the hotel and couldn’t help but take… Continue reading I AM JUST A GRAIN OF SAND
Plan like you'll live forever, live like it's your last breath. It may sound morbid but I've always been fascinated by funerals, even taking photos with my vintage Agfa 35mm Camera back in the seventies at a family burial. I'm surprised no one stopped me and thought it may have been distasteful. Maybe they to… Continue reading There’s no escaping, so don’t waste a minute (Lesson 46) 90 day challenge
I raced my dog on a track and field and he didn't stay in his lane, he just raced all over the field having fun. Then the thought occurred to me ‘The day I stopped running in the fictional white lines painted by my previous task masters was the day I discovered a new world’… Continue reading True freedom seems frightening (Lesson 47) 90 day challenge
LOVE IS A CHOICE I just think a lot of men just need to be that - MEN and chase your lady till the day you have breath no more. The following helps if you want a marriage partner for life (From my perspective) 1. Are you attracted to them (no-brainer) 2. Do they… Continue reading Love & Marriage (Lesson 49) 90 day challenge
Give yourself permission to get up close and personal and deal with the bully with a smile. As a mentor, I find it incredibly rewarding watching the underdog stand their ground to a bully. Two outcomes may happen 1. Individuals learn the art of self governing as they stand their ground in the workplace 2.… Continue reading You can’t legislate against serial bullies (Lesson 64 Revised) 90 day challenge
Looking for significance rather than job security. I've known Chris for over two decades and our paths have passed in recent years through the amazing world of social media. For years I had the privilege of using vehicles like Facebook, LinkedIn & Instagram, sending out daily messages in the hope of challenging the audience to… Continue reading Senior Detective to Construction Mentor (Lesson 67) 90 day challenge
