We need to dream!
Sadly as we get older our dreams become conditional.
We learn so much about “reality” and create so many rules or obstacles in our own minds that our dreams become stifled.
Dreaming creates appetite. It creates a compelling vision that we want to reach for. It motivates us because of the appetite it creates.
The next step is to backward map that dream and turn it into a plan but it must first begin with a compelling vision for the future.
We also need to share these dreams and vision in stories.
Stories reach people at a much deeper level that standards, KPIs and traditional work expectations. Our own dreams need to become shared dreams by all team members. The energy and motivation will become infectious and people will work harder to achieve them.
Lets be “kids again.” Lets be open minded and passionate. Lets unleash true potential so that we break rules and truly make a difference beyond standard conventions.
Lets reinvent, by embracing a paradigm and way of thinking that ignores excuses and in powerful and compelling ways makes dreams possible.
(All of my podcasts are one take - no edits - no script - keeping it real - natural dialogue from the head and heart)
While vision and values, charisma and motivation might be important for leadership you also have to get the job done. The skills of persuasion and influence are essential if you want to turn ideas into reality. We need to have tools that help move people forward and we need to remove objections. It requires excellent interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence. This podcast aims to help leaders practice and develop interpersonal skills by providing a set of strategies and skills that you can employ when things are not moving as fast as you would like them to be. We explore several strategies leaders can implement that help diffuse conflict, bring people on board and achieve genuine and authentic consensus.
(All of my podcasts are one take - no edits - no script - keeping it real - natural dialogue from the head and heart)
In this podcast we explore how systems work and an approach to understanding how to get the greatest leverage for change.
We too often focus only on small parts and not the whole. In order to make significant and sustainable change we need to understand the interactions that occur between parts.
As human beings we are wired to enjoy and value human interaction. Working in teams makes sense. When we value the interactions and improvements that people can discover and implement themselves we will see greater improvements.
As leaders we are most often not the best people to make changes. We should set the standards but not always outline the pathway to achieve it. There may be a better way.
Edward Deming is most famous for helping to transform the Japanese car manufacturing industry from something not credible to one of the finest quality and efficient production systems in the world.
Peter Senge believes very strongly that we should be looking at the whole picture rather than the individual problem and he has helped organisations and schools embrace these ideas.
Both of these thought leaders have significantly shaped a way of thinking and organisational change that is far more effective than traditional methods.
We will explore these ideas and how they can apply to international contexts.
(All of my podcasts are one take - no edits - no script - keeping it real - natural dialogue from the head and heart)
Decision making can be difficult in any context but it can be even more challenging in culturally diverse environments.
In this podcast we explore the decision making tools called "Ladder of Inference" and "Perceptual Positions" as ways we can become more effective.
Decision making tools help us become more effective by challenging us to look at things from a different perspective.
Ladder of Inference (Chris Argyris and Peter Senge)
Using The Ladder of Inference helps us look at facts in an unbiased way and not to judge too soon. It is a way of making us become aware of reasoning processes and how to use own convictions and experiences in a positive manner.
Perceptual Positions
Perceptual positions is a form of modelling that allows us to step into somebody else’s shoes, and see what they see, hear what they hear, and feel what they feel. Perceptual positions help us get a much better impression of another persons ‘reality’ and it helps us move from being reactive to being much more strategic.
Leadership is more effective when we are reflective. These models are an effective "play book" that helps us know how to proceed when things are challenging, cloudy or less obvious than you may think. By using these frames of reference we can walk confidently forward while being more clearly aware of the why and the how.
(All of my podcasts are one take - no edits - no script - keeping it real - natural dialogue from the head and heart)
This podcast aims to explain what International Schools are, their history and role in developing the next generation of global leaders.
My passion for global leadership includes a belief that we don't learn leadership skills by accident. They need to be developed and applied in order for us to truly develop our leadership potential.
International Schools have been very successful in achieving this based not on their "non-local" curriculum but on their philosophy of being international-minded.
They play an important role as models of what can be achieved when we embrace and see the benefits of cultural diversity.
At a time when this Pandemic Crisis has challenged us globally we know that the people who can adapt best are those who can think critically, adjust and solve problems in a dynamic way. Those who are multi-skilled and have a broad background and skillset will be the most successful. This also includes the values of being generous and serving others. It is a time when we need to come together as a global world, embracing the connections that are helpful between nations.
(All of my podcasts are one take - no edits - no script - keeping it real - natural dialogue from the head and heart)
Most people have a desire to be more interesting. We all know that being more interesting is attractive but it also helps us have better relationships with others and to be more effective.
This 5min version on this very popular topic was created for another podcast series where I was an invited as a guest presenter. (Feel free to share with others)
To "be interesting" makes us more engaging and successful with others both personally and professionally.
In this podcast I talk about this concept of being more interesting and some strategies we can use to achieve it.
We need to understand what Xenophobia really is. It is naivety. It is a lack of knowledge. It is previous limited experience that may not represent the whole. It is not knowing the truth!
On the other hand Xenophilia means the sympathy we have for a stranger. An affection for unknown/foreign objects, manners, cultures or people. It is time to love the differences. It is time to see the benefits in the differences. It is time to educate the xenophobia out of people and help people see how valuable being connected to different cultures truly is.
In this podcast we will explore these concepts and talk about ways that we can create a new generation that values this more. Our education systems must teach through exposing learners to diverse perspectives. If we understand then adjust our thinking then our behaviours can be more appropriate and effective.
(All of my podcasts are one take - no edits - no script - keeping it real - natural dialogue from the head and heart)
Most people have a desire to be more interesting. We all know that being more interesting is attractive but it also helps us have better relationships with others and to be more effective.
To "be interesting" makes us more engaging and successful with others both personally and professionally.
In this podcast I talk about this concept of being more interesting and some strategies we can use to achieve it.
These techniques are very important for young people but they are equally important for ourselves.
It is also important to "be interested" in others and to connect with the things that make them interesting.
Have you noticed how effective it can be to demonstrate interest in others and to balance conversations out to make sure the other person is speaking more than you are in a conversation?
There are also some ways that you can make a "less interesting" person or topic, more interesting. There are ways to direct the conversation in ways that will help you engage in your areas of connection.
Relationships are at the core of both happiness as well as effectiveness in our personal and professional lives.
Let's learn to be both "more interesting" and "more interested."
(All of my podcasts are one take - no edits - no script - keeping it real - natural dialogue from the head and heart)
Recently we have been facing a Pandemic Crisis that is effecting our lives in many ways. It is making decision making difficult and making our lives less balanced.
When we have control over events or we have a set of strategies and course of action that we are confident in, then we are less stressed.
We can get better at managing stresses. We can train our brain and our actions to make better choices and take smoother pathways given the circumstances.
We may not always be able to control all parts of the outcome or the cards we are dealt in the first place. We have a lot more control however over the steps we take and the role we play in managing a crisis. Being self aware and equipping ourselves with better default behaviours will help us succeed.
We can achieve better outcomes if we take some of these very important steps and employ suitable strategies.
*(All of my podcasts are one take - no edits - no script - keeping it real - natural dialogue from the head and heart) *However, this podcast was also inspired by a recent blog I wrote of the same title https://www.gsineducation.com/blog/how-stress-can-affect-our-clear-decision-making-in-a-crisis
At the time of writing this there are hundreds of thousands of Coronavirus cases and a large number of deaths. The numbers are changing rapidly. Billions of dollars are being wiped off the share market and people are suffering immeasurably. The world is suffering under this global catastrophe in so many ways. Health and well being, the economy, jobs and the personal challenges facing people are incredible. But, we need to stay strong, determined and look beyond this.
This podcast is an informal "stream of consciousness." No notes and no script. Just a sharing of thoughts on how we can navigate one of the most challenging times of our lives, as leaders, in many forms.
How a crisis and stress can affect our performance
Maintaining a balance or returning to balanced positions
Reframing the crisis - how we can make a difference
Cultural perspectives on leadership and behaviours It is time for us all to step up and make a difference.
We don't know how close we are to a clearer pathway - be prepared.
We can turn this around and navigate our way through challenging times.
Join with me in taking a significant role as leader of your company, school, family or circle of friends.
(All of my podcasts are one take - no edits - no script - keeping it real - natural dialogue from the head and heart)
