The unassigned task goes undone. Why? Because you gave them an option and when given an option people will choose to do less work. And I bet that unassigned task was not a nice, fun, enjoyable task because if it was, it would not be unassigned. It would be snapped up in an instant. I … Continue reading Unassigned tasks →

'If I had to do it all again, I wouldn't be a role model' Michael Jordan I understand where he is coming from. When you're not a role model your flaws are just a product of being a human being. They are there by design. But when you're a role model and you indulge in … Continue reading Role model pressure →

When I get delusional about the vitality of a post it only takes publishing it to realise how much I misjudged the content. But when a King, drunk on power, convinced of their genius and surrounded by Yes Men makes a big decision it can cost thousands of hours of manpower and millions of dollars … Continue reading Delusion costs →

The pronoun 'we' implies a collective. It's good for unifying a group, 'We can do this!' sharing responsibility, 'We're in this together' and for spreading blame. 'We messed up' The good ones will use the same pronouns throughout. The sneaky ones will make it sound like the problems are yours and the successes are ours.

Olah amigos! I've discovered something I found interesting that I thought I might share with you all. It's called 'invalidation'. And the form I'm most interested in is in conversation and how it relates to opinions and feelings. Have you ever told a story or ranted and raved about work only for your chosen audience … Continue reading Invalidation →

If everyone around you thinks you're doing a great job but you don't see it. You think you're terrible. Then you've just identified a psychological obstacle. A way that you are standing in your own way. Humility is fantastic. I love humble people, they're great! But when humility becomes detrimental to the host then do … Continue reading Detrimental humility →

Would the Chicago Bulls have won so many championships if they hadn't been brutally beaten in the preceding years? Can you have the highs without the lows? I don't think so. I think the lows are necessary and if used properly, create a better team. If learned from, each failure is a blessing in disguise.

I think risk is more forgivable when safety has been secured. When the football team is up 10-0 we laugh at the outrageous move the striker attempts. Whether as the wife tears her hair out when the husband gambles their rent money on a horse. It's a completely different mindset. The negativity of an unwanted … Continue reading Risk after safety →

You want to be attached enough so when the shits hits the fan you don't run away but hunker down and brainstorm solutions. But detached enough so that you don't lose your mind if the ideal outcome doesn't happen. It is a fine needle to thread but an important one.

The unenforced rule quickly becomes a guideline, then a forgotten restriction and finally the norm. Enforcing the rules can be uncomfortable but it is a relative discomfort. Occasionally slapping the wrists of rule breakers sends a message. "We are serious about this rule" What you don't want is the rule breakers to prove to the … Continue reading Unenforced rules →