The Power of Habit
Charles Duhigg has written a powerful book that is a must read for anyone serious about leadership and success.
In The Power of Habit, he documents how our everyday actions are governed by habits and how changing even one habit can have a massive domino effect. One case study worth mentioning concerns how Alcoa, a US Aluminum manufacturing company turned around the company culture with just one small change.
In 1987, at a time when people were more focused on maximising profits than ...
Brain fog
After a weekend of holiday eating and activities, I think it’s appropriate to tackle the Energises pillar of the SHAPES model — it represents managing the ability of your body and brain to operate in a peak performing state.
Since my knee surgery last July, I’ve maintained a healthy diet and exercise regime to minimise inflammation (pain) in my knee. I’ve reduced, and in most cases, eliminated, processed sugars, breads and other grains, and animal fats. I also keep really ...
Brain fog
After a weekend of holiday eating and activities, I think it’s appropriate to tackle the Energises pillar of the SHAPES model — it represents managing the ability of your body and brain to operate in a peak performing state.
Since my knee surgery last July, I’ve maintained a healthy diet and exercise regime to minimise inflammation (pain) in my knee. I’ve reduced, and in most cases, eliminated, processed sugars, breads and other grains, and animal fats. I also keep really ...
Assume Success
Here’s a quick tip on how you can be a more astute and successful leader (and person).
Whenever you set a goal or start a project, assume you’ll succeed. Then look for evidence – small and large – to prove you’re headed in the right direction.
The brain scans our environment five times per second picking up clues to tell it how to respond. If you prime your brain to notice evidence of success or failure that’s what you’ll see. You’ll then look for ...
Assume Success
Here’s a quick tip on how you can be a more astute and successful leader (and person).
Whenever you set a goal or start a project, assume you’ll succeed. Then look for evidence – small and large – to prove you’re headed in the right direction.
The brain scans our environment five times per second picking up clues to tell it how to respond. If you prime your brain to notice evidence of success or failure that’s what you’ll see. You’ll then look for ...
You need to first unlearn
A great story and lesson.
There was a great Taoist master who was holding an audience when one of his students came to him and said, “Master, can you teach me about the Tao, teach me about the way. What do I need to know?” And the master said, “Oh, certainly, I can.”
As he poured the student some tea and the master started chatting to him and he said, “Well, there’s much you must know before you start to learn.”
And the master continued to pour the ...
You need to first unlearn
A great story and lesson.
There was a great Taoist master who was holding an audience when one of his students came to him and said, “Master, can you teach me about the Tao, teach me about the way. What do I need to know?” And the master said, “Oh, certainly, I can.”
As he poured the student some tea and the master started chatting to him and he said, “Well, there’s much you must know before you start to learn.”
And the master continued to pour the ...
Do you build bridges or walls?
As a leader, your prime concern should be inspiring, aligning and empowering your people to give their best to the team or company.
Your access to this is communication. A leader’s most potent tool, or powerful weapon, depending on how you use it.
Communication builds bridges between divergent world views. It resolves conflicts and mends fences. However, communication can also build walls and increase discord. Your communication to your people can either empower and uplift them, or ...
Lack of sleep makes you crazy and fat
It’s not just you, it’s anyone who isn’t getting the rest they need.
Lack of adequate sleep has a real and measurable impact on our cognitive functions and emotional regulation. In addition, lack of sleep depresses our immune system, raises stress levels and, correspondingly, blood pressure.
Even worse for anyone on a diet, lack of sleep wreaks havoc on our appetite and metabolism of glucose. Run yourself down enough and you’ll be at risk of developing pre-diabetic ...
The Opportunity of a Lifetime
Ric Elias had the extraordinary opportunity of facing certain death, and living. He was in seat 1A on the US Airways flight 1549 that landed in the Hudson River in 2009.
Why was this an opportunity? Because during those moments prior to the plane landing, when he thought he would die, Ric realised some profound insights that he used to change his life for the better and make a difference to the people around him.
Ric came away with three insights worth taking on:
1. It all changes in an ...
