Just a quick note to record that Apple Notes is working for me. I moved over at the start of the year after years of using Evernote. Not that there was a functionality problem with Evernote, but I was very concerned when they were acquired and the new company didn’t give much confidence the product would be maintained. Since using Apple Notes, I’ve also adopted Tiago Forte’s...
As I write this there are 15 business days until Christmas – the race is on. Whilst many are focussed on finally being able to crash and relax, others are already planning for a rapid start to 2024 in early January. Which camp are you in? At XEN, we’re in the unusual position of potentially working right through the holiday break (this hasn’t happened before), simply because a number of our...
Useful clarity from Chris Marr in his book Becoming an Authoritative Coach: Have been reflecting on this in terms of both clients and team members. For clients = we are consultants (may be different for your business though) For staff = I need to be more of a coach (as do the senior leadership team) The trap I often fall into is trying to solve the problem for a team member, instead of coaching...
I used to ridicule this kind of behaviour as well:
But now I’m like, if that makes you happy, saving and sharing a moment then more power to you.
As long as you aren’t impacting those around you (eg with bright flashes) then you be you.
If you’ve ever suggested something to someone, only to have them excitedly announce that same thing to you a few weeks later, then you know the frustration of ‘planting seeds’. It’s especially annoying when they glowingly tell you about it being suggested to them by someone else… This is the difference between ‘planting seeds’ versus ‘watering...
I caught up with old workmates at a company ‘reunion’ a few weeks back. Some of them I hadn’t seen since 2007 (that’s 16 years ago as I write this). I was struck by a few things: many conversations picked up easily again, as if it were just days, not decades, since we last spoke so many things haven’t changed – we’re all the same old people we used to be...
The findings from the Robodebt royal commission have been accepted by the Government, and 16 public servants are now being investigated. Thus begins the start of justice, in this shameful scheme. As a reminder, the Robodebt scheme unlawfully – and in many cases erroneously – sent more than 160,000 debt notices to people on welfare and social services. The scheme resulted in suicides...
Spend decades being a good person: “Not sure about that person…” Drink too much at the staff Christmas party and say some dumb things (could be racist or sexist or political or religious etc): “Now we see their true colours!” As the saying goes: Reputations take a lifetime to build and an instant to lose. On one hand: We all say dumb things at times On the other:...
Chatting with Mal last week and he reminded me of the ‘So What?’ test – a good habit to implement when preparing a presentation, article, meeting agenda, proposal, etc. Essentially, just ask yourself ‘So What?’ when you’ve prepared the slide, or paragraph or bullet point. Does it add value to the conversation? If not, why is it there? (Not a new concept, and...
I’m reminded of this quote from Chip and Dan Heath
Resistance is created through a lack of clarity
This is a good tonic to my musing last month.