For centuries, artists have shaped how we see the world and we can learn leadership lessons from them. Pablo Picasso is a great example. Half a century before Apple was encouraging us…
Positive Defiance
Being Movember, I was inspired to get my two-yearly health check. The doctor, beginning with small talk, asked what I did. I told him I worked in leadership development. At this point…
Feedback—why Kiwi “nice” isn’t nice at all
On a recent trip to San Francisco I walked into a made-to-measure clothing shop. It was early trading hours and I don’t think the boss and his assistant knew we were poking…
A ‘Catapult interview’ with Keith Tempest
What’s the most valuable leadership lesson you’ve learned? The simple word “pause” has by far been the most valuable leadership advice and once mastered has saved me from many otherwise regrettable situations.…
A ‘Catapult interview’ with David Dome
David Dome, General Manager, Phoenix Football Club What’s the most valuable leadership lesson you’ve learned? Let things unravel in their due course. Surround yourself with good people. As long as your hand…
Embracing failure
Former Tall Blacks coach, Tab Baldwin, made an interesting observation about Kiwis’ relationship to failure. When New Zealanders fail at something, he asserted, we make it mean we are a failure. We…
Reading and watching
Watching The Power of Vulnerability A Ted Talk in which Brené Brown talks about how being vulnerable and open builds self-awareness and connection with others – vital ingredients for authentic leadership. …
Create your own leader user manual
In the New York Times this year, Ivar Kroghrud, CEO of management consulting company QuestBack, tells how his one page user manual helps people get the best from him. Kroghrud developed the…
Leadership lessons from a boat ramp
The late great Nelson Mandela said “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid,…
What we’re reading, watching and listening
In this poignant and funny Ted Talk, Brené Brown talks about how being vulnerable and open builds self-awareness and connection with others- vital ingredients for authentic leadership. Neuroscientist Stuart Firestein suggests we should value…