“A person can flower on a rock” (Georgian Proverb) — “A person can flower on a rock” (Georgian Proverb) Firmness of purpose drives perseverance, persistence, and endurance. A clear vision of a preferred future reality engenders discretionary effort and energy invested in important strategic objectives. A compelling sense of purpose motivates resolve and diligence. This tenacity is often seen in…

“Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds that you plant” (Robert Louis Stevenson) — “Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds that you plant” (Robert Louis Stevenson) The world looks for immediacy when it comes to measuring results — in one sense, rightly so, as this is what people, and specifically leaders, are hired to do. There is…

“Never does the human soul appear so strong and noble as when it forgoes revenge and dares to forgive an injury” (E H Chapin) — “Never does the human soul appear so strong and noble as when it forgoes revenge and dares to forgive an injury” (E H Chapin) Magnanimity is not a commonly understood concept. Although many people don’t recognise the word, most grasp the meaning when it is explained and recognise it personally…

Businesses, all over the world, are experiencing severe pressures in one form or another. The seeming normality of our world has changed —… — Businesses, all over the world, are experiencing severe pressures in one form or another. The seeming normality of our world has changed — disruption, international security issues, the COVID pandemic, global warming, the expectation to ‘go green’, pollution issues, inflation, etc., mark the new environment in which production must take…

“People don’t change that much. Don’t waste time trying to put in what was left out. Try to draw out what was left in. That is hard enough”… — “People don’t change that much. Don’t waste time trying to put in what was left out. Try to draw out what was left in. That is hard enough” (Buckingham & Coffman: First, break all the rules: What the world’s greatest managers do differently, 1999) Whilst the human resources department has…

“Passion is contagious — so is not having it” (Tim McClure) — “Passion is contagious — so is not having it” (Tim McClure) Top leaders care about the world around them. Their sense of “why” the business exists trumps any other issue — the business purpose (why we exist) becomes all-consuming and drives passion and behaviour. This burning belief is different to…

“I used to think the worst thing in life is to end up all alone. It’s not. The worst thing in life is to end up with people who make you… — “I used to think the worst thing in life is to end up all alone. It’s not. The worst thing in life is to end up with people who make you feel all alone” (Robin Williams, 1951–2014) A UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles) study by Naomi Eisenberger and Matthew…

“A clear conscience is a sure sign of a bad memory” (Mark Twain) — “A clear conscience is a sure sign of a bad memory” (Mark Twain) Conscience is a cognitive process that engenders emotional and rational associations and responses that relate to a person’s moral philosophy or value system. In general terms, conscience is often described as leading to feelings of remorse when…

“Today is one of those days when I could restore myself to the default factory settings” (ANON) — “Today is one of those days when I could restore myself to the default factory settings” (ANON) Feeling overwhelmed, weighed down by concerns and buffeted by moments of extreme anxiety seem to be a significant part of the experience of life for most people over the past few years. The…