Author: admin
22 Nov Steer your career decisions with no regrets
“This above all: to thine own self be true” is part of Polonius's advice to his son who is in...
28 Oct Will you leave well?
Tom Stoppard, a British playwright, penned ‘Every exit is an entry to somewhere else’. Stoppard’s eloquence leads me to ask How well will you leave? whether you are about to step up or let go in a particular phase of your career. I am referring to the challenges, including the pain, of leaving precious people and things behind so you can move on whatever your next destination.23 Sep You are who you think you are
Most of us will readily identify with this statement: What you say about yourself reflects your innermost beliefs about yourself. These beliefs include the importance of your role in your organisation, how much you have achieved in your work life, who your friends are, and how successful you have been in your close personal relationships. The statement is true whether you are talking to yourself (self-talk) or talking and interacting with others.01 Sep Coda to my post ‘Does your network bind (and blind) you?’
After I wrote 'Does your network bind (and blind) you?' I came across this excellent book 'Leadership Networking: Connect, Collaborate, Create' by Curt Grayson and David Baldwin published by CCL Press back in 2007. The authors challenge the reader by asking if you are rating the strength of your network by the number of Facebook friends or LinkedIn connections you have. And, if you are, they suggest it’s time for a lesson in leadership networking.26 Aug Does your network bind (and blind) you?
Your networks are an important source of information and intelligence? Right. Family connections, friends, school and university mates and business...
29 Jul No firm or partner is immune to succession challenges
My recent in-depth interviews with senior leaders of a cross-section of professional service firms probed issues relating to the approaches...
08 Jul Coda to my post ‘Do you have a personal feedback system?’
After I wrote Do you have a personal feedback system? earlier today, I watched episode 3 of the uplifting ABC documentary Sporting...
08 Jul Do you have a personal feedback system?
High performing leaders regularly give themselves feedback. What’s really exciting about this is that we can all learn to use...
11 Jun The business of (your) life
It’s a truism for many of us. We are defined by our career and work. But it’s true for all of us in another, more fundamental way. The guiding principles that drive us in our personal lives are identical to those that drive us in our business lives. This week I was struck by an article on the life and career of Harvard’s Clayton Christensen, one of the world’s leading business school academics and author of many seminal books.20 May Could this be you?
After a lifetime in the firm, Simon's career as a partner was over. He was not yet 60, and the firm didn't need him any more. The inexorable forces of de-equitising had arrived in one short, traumatic meeting with two of his colleagues, the bearers of the decision by the management committee. It wasn't personal. And it certainly wasn't anything to do with his competence and dedication. It was, well…"just the way things are in the firm we can't justify your position or points any more". He should have seen it coming. The signs were all too obvious. But he was not ready to go. He still felt energised, competent and able to add value to clients and the firm. Questions raced through his head. Could he afford not to work? How would he explain it to his wife and family? What would he do with the rest of his life? He had no particular interests or hobbies. His life was the firm–his firm after all. In the days that followed Simon experienced the gamut emotions ranging from of disbelief ('why me?'), resistance ('they can't do this!') and anger ('after all I have contributed’).17 Apr New economy jobs for ‘older’ lawyers
Much of my time as an executive coach is spent working with clients in the second half of their careers...
14 Apr More on step up by managing up
As a thank you to all those who have written to say how useful you found the Step up by managing...