Here are 5 assessment questions I developed which focus on the leadership capability of inspiring direction and purpose. How strong are your responses to these tough leadership questions? Describe a time you had to implement a significant reform or change that you knew would be unpopular. What was the reform? What action did you take? […]
ARTICLES
Appreciation is so important
We emphasise the importance of acknowledgement, recognition and praise as a powerful contributor to building a positive performance culture. It was very nice recently to hear that Tulsi received a text from a client which reads: Words are difficult to express my thanks and deep appreciation for the incredible support, guidance and conviction you have […]
Hands on or hands off? How to not micromanage and still provide reasonable and timely support.
I have heard regularly during discussions in the many, many corporate workshops I have facilitated the following two comments: I hate being micromanaged. My manager doesn’t even know what I do. These two comments above sum up one of the dilemmas of management and leadership – how to give people the leeway and autonomy to […]
What is a mental model of the world?
Our mental model of the world is the way we see the world, informed by our beliefs and our experiences in childhood and life. Have you looked at your beliefs about yourself and others? How can shifting your mental model be of value to you? Our coaching work is based on partnering with coachees in […]
Part of managing my life is managing my energy. To do this I imagine I have 1 litre of energy for every day
This helps me to recognise that I only have a certain amount energy to draw upon, I consider how I want to spend that 1 litre of energy, what is important for me as far as my health, well-being, work, relationships and life generally and what my priority needs are. I make better choices and […]
Eight key factors that can undermine team repair
Team repair has been keeping Brave People Solutions busy. We have a solid and proven process for working with teams and we are continually heartened by the results that we achieve and the recovery that challenged and conflicted teams make. We see how important it is for teams who are struggling with change, tension and […]
Power. Do you embrace it or run from it?
What is your first reaction to the word power? Does is scare you? Do you think it is an inherently bad thing? Do you seek it? Do you think power can be built? Let’s discuss power and what it means for each of us. There are two types of power, positional and personal power. Having […]
Have you worked with some-one who was difficult, damaging or dangerous? Are you willing to share your story with me? I’m keen to talk to you.
Let’s start by recognising that most people we work with are great and that only a small percentage are not. I know this from having worked for quite some time now in a career in which I have been a senior line manager, a corporate HR specialist as well as having built two successful consulting […]
Who do you tend to blame when things go wrong? Are you an Internaliser or an Externaliser? What difference does this make in your working life, especially if things are tough?
A way of coping when things get very tough is by internalising or externalising. This framework is set out by Dr Lindsay C. Gibson, in her book, Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents. Internalising can be defined as behaviours that are directed around oneself internally in order to cope with difficult times. The Internaliser believes […]
How playing cards can help build a positive performance culture
Building a positive performance culture takes effort and understanding. Our custom-made cards help the leaders we work with to explore and track the steps required in all circumstances. One of our most valuable and successful leadership programs is a two-day Building a Positive Performance Culture workshop. Yes, this might be surprising, but people do want […]
How to be both gentle and strong in challenging times
Conflict and tension? It’s the gentle and strong skills that are needed If you’re a leader, a team member, a husband, a wife, a friend or a parent or in another role, and you’re experiencing tension and conflict, you need both the gentle and the strong skills. These are not ‘soft skills’. These are some […]
Need to raise a sensitive topic with some-one? Here is a way to start the conversation.
At some point we’ll all probably need to raise a sensitive topic with some-one. The very fact that it is a sensitive topic usually means there is a personal element to the conversation. Even if it isn’t something we relish doing, most of us know we have to face a tough conversation about a sensitive […]