3 Steps To Make Your Brain Fitter Today

I watched a short excerpt by Simon Sinek where, in recognising May as Mental Health Month, he advocated that the phrase “mental health” should be changed to “mental fitness”.  Mental health is a term that has been used for a long time to describe the state of one’s mind, except that for most of us, it…

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The Vulnerability of Change

Managing change and leading ourselves before we try and lead others are two of my favourite topics.  As a Southern African who’s spent a large chunk of her life flying airplanes, and another good chunk sharing communication, strategy and leadership tools with business teams across multiple industries – I’d have considered myself fairly well versed…

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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…

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How Effective A Leader Are You?

Am I fit to fly?  This is a question every pilot is taught to ask themselves every time they approach an aircraft with the intention of aviating.  It’s a broad question that drills deep into the psyche and responsibility for self that a pilot feels and covers everything from their physical health to their mental…

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What 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…

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Profitability vs People – A Leadership Challenge

As the captain of an aircraft, most duty periods are made up of moments of high-decision-making requirements, balanced by moments of great appreciation for the incredible elements of the job you do – such as the view from your office window. One of the hairiest decisions you’ll ever be called on to make as a…

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Is Empathy A Leadership Strength or Weakness?

Empathy, the ability to understand and share the feelings of others, has become a buzzword in leadership discussions.  Some leaders swear by it, while others dismiss it as a weakness. So, is empathy a leadership strength or weakness?  Let’s assess the pros and cons of empathy in leadership and explore its impact on team communication,…

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Keeping 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,…

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