Oliver at TBLOD blog

2009-06-10T23:05:00.003+01:00

When It's Leadership and Leadership

Age 24 leading a winter skills course in the Cairngorms. The group were all vetted for health, fitness and appropriate experience. All info came back positive. We climbed up to about 3000ft in reasonable weather. All was going well when one my student dropped like a stone into the snow.

I remember two things. Firstly I remember administering the obvious first steps of help whilst thinking through longer term actions

Secondly I remember being bombarded with useless information by the rest of the team. This included sending for help, carrying off the casualty and splitting the group.

I took none of it. Being benighted age 15 in the Cairngorms one winter had taught me a thing or two – mainly its not a fun place to be. I warmed the victim, gave her plenty of hot drinks and carbohydrates, disturbed here equipment between the party and walked back as a team the way we had come. Job done all home safe. It transpired there were health issues that had not been disclosed.

2009-03-27T21:27:00.002Z

Learning Through Absorbing

If you ever take a ski lessen then there is only one place to position yourself in the group. That is right behind the instructor. Right behind – close enough to absorb their every movement. In this way, with a minimum of effort you will in their absence be able to replay those unconsciously rehearsed actions. Close your eyes and you will see their skis carve every turn. Their fluid and precise actions will become yours.

In the same way get right in behind leaders you admire. Focus. Watch and emulate their every move and their admired traits will become yours.

2009-01-07T22:20:00.003Z

Headline from Times: Dubai feels the heat of climate change
Concern for the environment could mean Dubai becoming an impossibly luxurious destination for all but the wealthiest of tourists

This effectively says wealth = non responsibility for the environment. Read the article here Timesonline.

Affluenza
Noun: affluenza
Definition: An extreme formof materialism resulting from the excessive desirefor material goods

Over Christmas I read the 0liver James book of the same name. Sadly I can recognise the symptoms, not just mildly in all of us, but extreme cases where people who once seemed quite ordinary and balanced now seem only interested to speak of their house price, shares, holidays and how wealthy their friends are; despite having not seen them for some time. All other news on a personal front to them had become ‘worthless’.

I experienced a not dissimilar situation in the late 80s, early 90s when people threw themselves lock stock and barrel at careers in corporations in the belief that these places where the new ‘holy lands’ – only to see them close together with their careers 18 months later.

It is not about commitment, which is an essential. It is about balance, about taking all of you forward – not throwing your values on the wayside to reduce the weight. Do that and when the cash dries up you having nothing left.

6 months ago it occurred to me that there was a big silver lining to the current turmoil. When oil hit $160 and food prices shot through the roof despite all the negative economic data it was clear that unsustainability was reached and a real opportunity for us to reinvent through imperative had come.

For many the sole pursuit of materialism is no longer valid as the vehicle has gone. Hopefully this will allow these lost soles to cultivate a desire and space for new self to grow. Read the article.

2009-01-03T21:33:00.004Z

2009 - The Year for Performance

I read a newspaper article last year. The typical thing, a journalist using a coach and questioning whether it wasn’t just common sense. Sure, ‘nothing as uncommon as common sense’ they say.

There are a couple of prerequisites to being coached effectively:
Firstly you need to want to improve your performance
Secondly, in some shape or form, you must want to be coached!

2008 saw two massive improvements in performance for me. In addition to a huge amount of coach development through my PGC in Executive Coaching at the University Strathclyde Business School, I also engaged the services of two professional coaches for my own performance in different activities; sailing and skiing.

Charlotte, a long time friend and professional as the Scottish National Watersports Centre gave me a couple of half day sessions around performance sailing in preparation for my own RYA Dinghy Coach’s update. This is a qualification I have help for 20 or so years and needs revalidation from time to time. Coupled with my own reading, practice and development plan, the sessions with Charlotte literally catapulted my performance.
Full on practice - review – practice in challenging conditions.

Then this Christmas, to develop my skiing I engaged the services of Christiane, a professional with the Ecole de Ski Français in Les Houches by Chamonix where I hang out. This guy is good. 58 years old and an ex army instructor who now teaches skiing in winter and chills out with tennis and golf come summer. Christiane’s approach was push you as far as you can go, take you beyond it and teach you how to be comfortable in this new place. Brilliant.

We skied everything. Ice, powder, perfect pistes and forests. My favourite pastime was to tuck right in behind him and ski where he skied and boy what a ride that was! Initially I was down for 3 2.5 hour sessions. I extended it to 5.

The last 4 seasons have seen me work on a number of things. Progress yes, breakthrough no! What I realised very early on in these coached sessions was that I was focusing on the wrong things, and as any Jedi knows ‘Focus is Reality’. Through the coaching approach of Christiane I was able to apply focus to the right things and create a new reality. I would not have achieved this without him.

What both these cases illustrate is that where performance is sought in any arena, work or sport, don’t mess around. Get a coach in to help you work your mix. You might get there yourself if you through enough resources at it. Might!

2008-12-18T20:32:00.007Z

Last Entry for 2008

I think that little lad – not so happy - called Oliver aged 10 some 37 years ago would be quite pleased with his investment / faith in the future if he had he been able to see Oliver 2008.

It’s been a good - no great - year and I have many, many people to thank for that. If I have known you personally in 2008 I would like to say a big ‘thank you’. I really mean it.

As is life, some of the 'calls' I have made this year I could never be certain about, articulated far better than I by Robert Frost’s perfect poem ‘The Road Not Taken’. (Please visit this link for a concise and explained version of this work)

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveller long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent to the undergrowth…..

Perhaps 2009 will see me explore some of these 'lesser' paths - who knows.

I am ending 2008 and starting 2009 as I started and ended the year before and many before that….with my great passion skiing. For those who will not be joining, here is Neil Young; one of my life time heroes, with a fitting song I always relate to my journeys to my other home in beautiful snow covered Chamonix.

To everyone I know thanks for sharing the year with me - let's continue it.

Oliver (and of course the 'wee man')

2008-11-26T20:43:00.002Z

Change

"I cannot say whether things will get better if we change; what I can say is they must change if they are to get better." G. C. Lichtenberg

2008-11-24T20:57:00.005Z

Servant Leadership - John Cunningham

Whilst discussing the notion of servant leadership I recalled an inspirational lecturer at our college - John Cunningham. As my tutor, I remember quite specific instances where he demonstrated a very positive influence in an empathetic way on an 'unruly mob' of 18 year old aspirant outdoor education teachers. His supreme confidence and connection served us well. Thirty years later the knowledge he imparted endures.

We lost several good friends at college - John was one.

Click to review a book on his life.

2008-10-14T22:15:00.000+01:00

The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch

Whilst lecturing in Athens last weekend the students drew my attention to ‘The Last Lecture’ by Randy Paush of Carnegie Mellon.

Randy died in July 2008 of cancer. This was the lecture he gave in full knowledge of his forthcoming fate. It is an inspirational portrait of life and ‘Really Living Your Childhood Dreams’. MUST be seen.

2008-08-31T16:26:00.002+01:00

The Centre Cannot Hold' - from William Butler Yeats, "The Second Coming"

Price of Oil, Credit Crunch, Food Prices, Economy - did our centralised Government tell us anything about these?

There is a fantastic book out call 'The Back Swan: The Impact of the Improbable' - a 'must read' for those who understand that the future is not necessarily predicted by the past. The fact that you have never had a heart attack in no shape or form means you will not have one!

As our Government continually tells us they are in control , they increasingly look as though they are not. Why? Because they are so frequently unlucky. Luck because they have no more idea of the future than any of us!

When I was 14 , I read on a box of matches 'The Man Who Knows Everything Knows Nothing'. That stuck with me. Perhaps Gordon and Alistair should have a think about this.

Leadership is about creating a future and understanding the present. Not looking to the past and say 'all will be well'.

2008-08-24T16:44:00.002+01:00

Talent

Many people talk of talent in the modern organisation; talent pools, talent management etc etc

However few really understand what is meant by talent.

Talent

Intellectual Capital (know-how)

Social Capital (know who)

Psychological Capital (can do)

Ridderstrale & Kjel Nordstrom

To most businesses it is simply ‘who is doing the best job’ and as such much of the potential for the business is lost.

Even more alarming is that many individuals do not understand the notion of talent either, thereby inhibiting what they get back from their careers and is some cases being far less satisfied than they could be.

My view is that we cannot leave it to our employers to make the most of our lives – we need to understand and engage with that process ourselves. The reference Ridderstrale & Kjel Nordstrom is a good place to start.

2008-08-14T23:08:00.006+01:00

Reflective Space

I had an interesting visit to Southsea near Portsmouth last week - the home my grandparents and childhood home of parents. People didn’t seem to move around as much in those days.

First I walked along the front at Southsea. It is great to see the regeneration whilst respecing the history of the place.

Heading off, on impulse I visited the cemetery where my grandfather was buried. No one from the family lives in Portsmouth now and I felt he might appreciate a visitor.

I knew the place from a very vague recollection of a visit with my grandmother when I was 5. A fleeting picture of a scene in my head of a little boy and an old woman looking at a grave. Small and precious memory.

Sadly the office was shut and the sheer size of the place meant despite my best efforts I could not find his grave. However I am sure he appreciated my efforts.

The last time I saw him was 1978 and I cannot even remember it. I was 7. Here we are in a photo taken at the time. Always well dressed even on a summer holiday. I am the one on the left in the deck chair. You sadly get neither summers or hats like that now!

Despite not finding the grave, the visit was an immensely reflective experience and I came away feeling quite grounded, happy and appreciative.

Cemeteries are places where one appreciates life and although I would not make it a frequent event, I think the reflective time and space offered is quite a gift.

2008-07-24T17:30:00.001+01:00

Empathy

There was a very moving programme last night presented by journalist Elizabeth Quigley about MS. Quigley herself suffers from the disease and sees an uncertain future.

During the programme she interviewed J K Rowling whose mother died of the disease. She witnessed and described her mothers decline. As Quigley sat there no mention of her own plight was made but the empathy in Rowling’s voice and manner was absolute – stronger than any words.

Link to times article on the interview http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/scotland/article4380955.ece

BBC page on the programme with extract
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/7508087.stm

2008-07-06T22:33:00.002+01:00

'Parents are often so busy with the physical rearing of children that they miss the glory of parenthood, just as the grandeur of the trees is lost when raking leaves'.

Marcelene Cox

I put this quote in as I have lust completed an exceptionally busy period since Christmas. During such periods I always try to make sure I also enjoy it - not just do it. That's' important to me as once its passed, its passed.

2008-05-30T23:35:00.005+01:00

Remember Zoe Drive

Last weekend we met Alan Bigger from Edinburgh. Alan is driving around Britain in a vintage car to raise funds for a special teenage cancer ward in Edinburgh. It is in memory of a very brave young girl - Zoe - who died last September after a battle against cancer.

Teenagers currently either go into children's wards or adult wards - neither best places for teenagers at a vulnerable time. A special ward would make their lives so much easier. Cumulitivley small donations would acheive this.

The web sites are:

http://rememberzoe.co.uk/default.aspx

http://www.justgiving.com/rememberzoe

2008-05-23T15:10:00.000+01:00

'It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the
most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is the most adaptable to
change'.
Charles Darwin (1809-1882)

Our world view has a huge influence on the way we behave. This forms the basis of our identity. World view to identity, beliefs, behaviour then ultimately the immediate world we create.

As the world changes around us we have the choice of adapt or ‘die’ – metaphorically that is.

The Labour Party is in real trouble. However well intentioned they may be, some of the stuff they hang on to is so obviously self defeating as to be ridiculous.

Could they ever see it with their ‘world view’ to reduce taxation of say fuel? It is not whether it is right or wrong to do so, I will leave that to the economists. It is about their capability to adapt. Their lack of capability to adapt will ultimately be their demise.

I think this is true for all of us.

2008-03-30T21:47:00.002+01:00

Update on New Year entry

If you read my New Year blog about planning your year ahead and chose to do nothing then fair enough. However there is an interesting verse in Amy Macdonald’s Mr Rock and Roll:

He says "I wish I knew you, I wish I met youWhen time was still on my side"

A different take on Carpe Diam!

Watch Amy here

2008-03-30T21:39:00.003+01:00

Crises of Trust

There seems to be a crises of trust in Europe. Twice since Christmas I have been asked, whilst in supermarkets, to open my bag in case I had stolen a piece of Camembert or ssimilar. This would not have happen in times when you did not have to take your own bag with you – either that or carry twenty items of shopping home in your arms! In my 47 years I have never - repeat never - been asked this before but now twice in 6 months! The most that had happened to me was a refusal to sell me alcohol at the age of 15 by a shop on Morningside Road which was fair cop.

In one respect I am flattered at not looking too conservative but another part of me says ‘damned cheek’! It says there is an assumption of guilt when I enter the store and as such I think I will choose not to! Loyalty = zero! The French news say one of their better known stores are videoing staff as they work – not just me then! To me this is all part of an erosion of the contract that says ‘we will treat each other reasonably unless we have cause to do otherwise’. Without this the ‘good will’ vital to our interdependence will disappear.

This raises issues for how we treat each other generally - in work and society and the matter of loyalty. That is why we have understanding and building trust as a standard part of our leadership programmes. Click here.

2008-03-16T21:06:00.003Z

My Favourite Things

I have a magazine folder at home simply called “Nice People” - it sits between 'Jeep' and 'Outdoor Clothing and Gear' on the bottom shelf of the bookcase! In that folder go bits of paper and feedback when folk have said something nice to me.

I keep them because when I get really fed up with human nature I remember the nice things people have bestowed – my favourite things - just like Julia Andrews. Then I feel better.

2008-03-09T19:35:00.003Z

Coaching

Coaching is really a mainstream part of any organisations' or individuals' performance tool kit. It is now refined to quite specific approaches for expediency and effect.

However the role of coach is not new to any of us. My 'wee boy' had the services of a coach aged 4 when at age 2 he first stayed with his morning minder. Now age the age of 3 the role is passed to him with the arrival of a new baby to the minders care! Although not coaching as we think of it, he is there to question and help.

At home do we not find ourselves asking what and why on a regular basis? Questioning - coaching!

2008-02-23T16:17:00.003Z

"If anyone wants a lift jump on"

2008-02-18T21:05:00.004Z

44 - The Age of Self Impossed Discontent

Interesting the findings of a recent survey that the unhappiest time of a persons life is 44 when apparently:

“Most people start out thinking they can accomplish anything when they are young. As they grow older they begin encountering challenges, moving into different careers, life circumstances and dealing with problems they just can’t defeat. “

See this article click here

I was dumb struck recently when it was bought to my attention that someone found my personal vision demoralising – not because of its content but because it highlighted the lack of content of the commentators.

This to me answers much of the 44 pissed off issue. To me, and it is my perspective, people don’t hit a wall, they run out of vision. To make matters worse they ran out of vision the moment the stopped creating it at the age of 16.5. When they last considered ambition and before they started to get by!

Last year was my toughest yet - on a personal front - and in many ways, also one of my best. I am sure what gave me a purpose to navigate from the present in the togher times was a sense of future.

If you are not sure what next, then have a look at the first post of 2008 and see what you can caft as your vision.

2008-02-05T17:35:00.000Z

Our New Teambuilding Challenge – The Forth Challenge

Shane Watson has written a tongue in cheek but very astutely article in the Sunday Times Style Magazine entitled ‘Let the Bad Times Roll’. In it she comments:

“A day lying around in your cashmere lounge suits, contemplating your gorgeous lives, is definitely less bonding than clearing up after burst pipes have destroyed a couple of years worth of homemaking”. Click here to read the whole article.

No doubt about it people rise to a challenge and done right it brings people together in a way that perfect conditions just don’t. We all like good times but they are good when juxtaposed to a challenge. However what would be the effect of putting the two together? Challenging Fun or course!

For challenge, fun and team development to all happen at the same time, relevance to the world in which we live is essential. That is exactly what we are doing in our latest team building event – The Forth Challenge. Click here for more.

2008-01-05T18:28:00.000Z

The start of 2008 is an opportunity. Everyday is an opportunity but there is something about the start of a year that is different – fresh perhaps. Maybe that’s because at the end of the year we look back thus the start we look forward?

Going into the New Year I am focusing on 2 things:
What I what to do, achieve and become in 2008
What I want to leave behind in 2007

I am asking these questions of 4 key areas; myself, family, community and professional lives.

Then I am looking at growth. What will that mean in 2008? Growth needs space and challenge.

Space to think differently and time to do differently. Space comes about when you let go of what is currently occupying it. Leaving things behind or accommodating them in a different way will create space and time.

Challenge comes from doing new stuff outside your comfort zone. Challenge needs a vision, goals and projects. Without challenge we become comfortable and eventually dissatisfied and stagnant. It doesn’t feel like dissatisfaction because we met it originally as that old friend of the emotions comfort and didn’t notice it change.

Former Harvard professor Jeffrey Rayport said:
‘Don’t squander the chances to make a difference in the world because of the comfort of inaction… Listen to your passions…And then do something truly great.’

If you are keen to do, be and achieve different things, here’s some help.

Madonna and Jump – first line:
There's only so much you can learn in one place, the more that I wait, the more time that I waste!
Watch it here and think about it

The Case of the Bosai Manager
Amazon says: In this world, the inclusive, intuitive and humane style of management will work, not the top-down approach - and here is an author uniquely placed to tell us how.
I say this book, recommended to me by one of my Indian students, is written by an experienced senior manager who 'gets it'. The book really has you challenging yourself as well as being very accessible.
See it here

Life Coaching for Dummies
I hate the name of these series however the books are a good reference. This one by Jeni Mumford is just a great practical, easy to understand and non prescriptive mentor for developing your goals.
See it here

Lots of other great reads are on our resources page – click here

I hope your year ahead gives you everything you plan for,

Oliver (and Thomas)

2007-12-17T21:43:00.000Z

Managing Emotions

The secret to regulating emotions is self awareness and space. I recently took the opportunity to go diving whilst working evenings in the Middle East. It was a while since I had been and I quickly found myself moving fast towards entering the water whilst realising I could not remember as much as I really needed to.

Awareness and space came into play. With this consciousness and a few minutes pause I was able to gather my thoughts and ask for the necessary guidance and support.

It was still a case of ‘get good fast’ but at least I knew how I felt, why and had a plan to address it! This is true of many situations in life when the alterative might be to become overwhelmed.

2007-12-02T21:19:00.000Z

My Mum, 7th June 1925 - 26th November 2007

My mum, Marguerite or Maggie as she was known to her friends was born in Southsea in 7th June1925, the second of two children in a Naval family. Bought up during the war in such a place could not have been easy but she never mentioned it. As a youngster she suffered TB but only spoke of the fun in her brother Howard pushing her wheel chair.

The sea and water played a big part in her life and subsequently ours with many paintings in our house as testimony.

This spirit of adventure was evident throughout her life.

On leaving school she enlisted the British military Mission and went to Cairo in 1945 then on to Greece. These places, the people and experiences they bought always remained fond memories for her.

She met my father John at the Portsmouth sailing club and after an initial poor impression bought about by her adventurous attire, married in 1951.

Her spirit of adventure continued with their first house being a converted motor torpedo boat where the family started with Rupert.

She inspired my father to complete his university education then on moving to Reading, devoted the next few years to the family.

From 1968 to on 1971 we lived in Zambia where I have clear memories of her running the the house and starting on the journey of her real passion in life art.

On returning to Britain and moving to Scotland she ambitiously undertook her dream of studying art at the Edinburgh College of Art. I can clearly remember the hours she put into this and us. We often comment on how she would be hoovering the house at midnight and through redoubling her effort achieve the dual roles of mother and student.

She made us a comfortable, stylish, beautiful and different home and put a real effort into things like Christmas and parties. Her sense of design we still apply in our own way.

She was immensely loyal to each and every member of her family in an unconditional manner.

On completing her programme she put her efforts into the education and enlightenment of others. It was this part of her life that was really, to my mind, the most fulfilling personally for her. She had the opportunity to exercise her skills, help many others and make many friends. She could bring pictures to life for others.

Gentleness, a sense of humour, fun, playfulness, liveliness and artistic flair – some of the words others use to describe her.

In recent years she attended the Eric Liddell day centre; a group that does superb work in supporting and providing a fulfilling direct for others. As a lively participant, I do believe it was her who introduced dance to the group who had perhaps thought those days a little in the past.

In all things she was a very generous person. Of her time, inspiration, possessions and good will. Of her council – not always wanted but usually needed.

To me personally she has left a big legacy. She seemed to have a confidence in others that that at times we did not have in ourselves. She was an excellent judge of girlfriends!

Although she has gone from us physically, to me she gave me still makes up a big part of my everyday life.