When we travel as a family to different places and we can visit a bookstore, we make it happen.
My daughter has inherited her love for books, bookstores, and libraries from my mother. Wherever we go, one of her first things to find out is the location of the bookstores.
Are you repairing your roof when the sun is shining or when the water leaks into your house because of heavy rain?
Blockbuster video never ‘repaired its roof’ when the sun was shining. It was already far too late when Netflix showed up and started to disrupt Blockbuster’s business model.
We’re all human beings, and humans build and lead organizations.… Read the rest
I recently got reminded of this book again.
I was part of an inspiring conversation with a group of senior leaders discussing talent growth inside their organization.
We talked about the mindset to disrupt yourself, ask yourself and others the hard questions, leaving your comfort zone frequently to learn and expect the same from others.… Read the rest
To light a fire, you need a spark.
To let a fire go out, you need to kill the oxygen. Or just stop feeding the fire with more supplies of wood. It will eventually dim and then die.
Some people are sparks. Some people suck oxygen. Some people are passive and do nothing.… Read the rest
Joyce, my brilliant Organizational Development mentor, often used the following quote when we talked about Organization Design:
“Every organization is perfectly designed for the results it gets.
Joyce Wilson Sanford
In other words, if your results are below expectations, there’s a big chance your design is flawed.
And vice versa, when you’re doing great, your organization works for you.… Read the rest
Last year in December, my headspace meditation streak that lasted for over 250 days got interrupted because I did not meditate for a day.
I’ll admit that I had set a goal of reaching 365 days of uninterrupted meditation, so when I skipped a day and saw the counter going back to zero, I had a slight moment of sadness.… Read the rest
It’s been a few weeks since I read “More Time to Think.”
More Time to Think is the sequel to Time to Think. The first book addresses the theory behind creating a thinking environment culture. The second book is more of a practical how-to guide.
Both books are created on a scientifically justified premise that when companies can create a culture where each individual feels safe and encouraged to access, use and share their thinking, all performance indicators point in the right direction.… Read the rest
I listened recently to a podcast where high-net-worth individuals and tax-avoiding companies were the subjects of the discussion.
Or perhaps the subject of their rage is a better expression of the dynamics of the conversation.
Then a politician, known for progressive and more left of the political spectrum beliefs, joined the conversation.… Read the rest
There’s a commercial on Dutch TV about the risk of polarization. It’s short, cute, and full of great intentions.
You witness friends and a father and daughter argue over climate and immigrant issues. A voiceover enters the scene and states:
It was followed by making the point that our world is becoming increasingly polarized and that it’s really up to us to do something about it.… Read the rest
Are you a procrastinator?
Do you have days that go by without accomplishing anything? Days that you just looked at the work you needed to do, but in the end, you didn’t do anything?
You’re not alone.
Have you ever heard of the term ‘it’s in our DNA?’
Of course, you did.
Whatever language you master and speak, I’m sure there’s also a version in your culture.
It’s the translation of the scientific meaning of DNA as your genetic code into a real-life application, such as running a business.… Read the rest
I got some direct feedback recently that I was not always nice and nuanced for the corporate world. A world that has given me a lot in my life.
Both statements are true.
I’m grateful for my corporate time, and I’ve always said, ‘Never say never’ because I miss the team aspect of my work. … Read the rest
I’m not a finance guy.
But I’ve done enough finance in my life to understand the principles when I put my mind to it. My brain can build many connections fast, but when it comes to finance, I need to think.
That’s why I’ve always admired people who can make complex stuff easy to understand. … Read the rest
All of us are dealing with upsets in our lives.
Moments when our values, beliefs, norms, or safety are in danger. These can be real threats that might cause any harm or perceived threats that won’t physically harm us. Unfortunately, the amygdala, part of our brain, can not distinguish between real and perceived threats.… Read the rest
Do you have, get, make time to think?
Or is your head mainly a six-lane highway full of traffic and trucks trying to make their way through day in and day out?
The highway metaphor and the cultural components from the book More Time to Think by Nancy Kline.
Proverbial highways with trucks that create a constant noise always seem distracting, preventing you from focusing. … Read the rest
What category do you belong to?
Are you a trendsetter or a follower when it comes to work-related innovation?
Were you one of the first to jump on the agile train, one of the last, or do you still have to start?
And what about building a hybrid workforce culture?
Early adopter, mainstream, or laggard?… Read the rest
Losing a loved one is the most significant test for embracing the now.
I lost my mother recently. Unexpected.
I won’t elaborate more on that event itself, but more about my experience from when it happened until a few days after.
It has everything to do with the power of now. … Read the rest
Recently I had to say goodbye to a family member.
Relatively sudden.
I won’t write about the circumstances, no worries. I’ll just write about a sudden shift in priorities when something like this happens to you.
From one moment to the other, things change dramatically. What mattered yesterday is suddenly not that important anymore. … Read the rest
Did you play as a kid in a sandbox?
Was it your sandbox, the sandbox of a neighborhood kid, or perhaps a public sandbox?
What do you remember about your sandbox adventures?
Was there ever a territorial fight about the best part of the sandbox? Or perhaps some kid entered your sandbox, and you were not pleased with the uninvited intruder.… Read the rest
You’re number one responsibility as a leader is to make people around you better.
Much of your time at work should be dedicated to dialogue with people who will benefit and grow from your leadership.
There are companies where this is the case. One of the largest beer brewers in the world swears by the principle that leaders need to help their people develop.… Read the rest
