Communication
Are You Saying What You Think You’re Saying?
In aviation, imprecise communication can cause confusion and error with dire results. An anecdote that’s stuck in my head for years describes the conversation between a captain and copilot as they initiated their first take-off of the day. The co-pilot was less than sunny, and the captain had extended an encouraging “Cheer up!” midway through…
Read MoreWhat Do They Know That You Don’t?
When I was first awarded my Private Pilot’s Licence, I remember one of my instructors commenting “Right, so you know just enough to kill yourself with now.” It was a not-so-tongue-in-cheek reminder that, as proud as I felt of my achievement, what I’d also done was open up the door to the next chapter. A…
Read MoreKeeping November Under Control
We are mid-November, caught between finishing what we need to accomplish and account for this year, and preparing for the new year coming. As time available seems to shorten, and calendars fill up with impossible amounts of residual tasks, our heads can start to feel full and pressurised. Attention spans and tolerance levels shorten. Board meetings,…
Read MoreReassessing Your Focus Yields Results
The success of almost everything we do involves another person or persons. Whilst there is always a considerable amount of our success that we’re responsible for, somewhere along the line it almost always involves the input, interaction or response of another. This means that our success will always come down to how effectively we communicate,…
Read MoreNovember Strategy – Breathe & Connect
November, the last month of the year, is upon us. Yes, I know that November’s not really the last month of the year….but my goodness, sometimes it feels like it!! It’s certainly the last month of full production and any kind of linear structure recognisable as a full month and, regardless of your industry, December…
Read MoreShouldering Leadership
All of us have to lead somewhere along the line. Whether it’s to lead ourselves through a situation or a time period, to lead a family or partnership, to lead a team, business or community. Leadership through crisis or change adds even more scrutiny and analysis to the requirements of strong and effective leadership. Two words…
Read MoreSystems Check!
The sudden splutter of the left engine halted the conversation that Sam was having with his copilot. Had he misheard? Imagined the slight misstep in tempo? He looked out the window towards the engine, and then back at his gauges, searching for irregularities – a rise in oil temperature, a drop in oil pressure, a…
Read MoreFinding Instant Unity
It’s always been a central belief of mine that focusing on what draws us together is key to building a powerful team. As soon as you put two or more people together, each brings their viewpoint, perspective, beliefs, values, life experiences etc to the table. As primal beings, we’re programmed to look for threats, and…
Read MoreRegenerating Team Energy
In a 2021 YouTube video, Gerhard Papenfus, CEO of the National Employers Association of South Africa, urged employers not to make quick-fix or knee-jerk implementations in response to the Covid pandemic suggested regulations, and rather to look further down the line. He asked, “Where will your culture be a year from now?”. It was a…
Read MoreWhen Soft Skills Become REAL Skills
All human beings have similar wants and needs. We want honesty, respect, integrity, and trust. We want to belong to something bigger than ourselves and to matter. The current state of global affairs and their effect on every level of our lives has exacerbated these needs, highlighting their deficit in our personal and professional lives. When we…
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