Leadership in Chaos

The Keynote Season Part 4: Inspire Commitment“The more digital the world becomes, the more we must emphasise what makes us most human” – Jack MaThis episode unveils the 4 Emotionally Intelligent “Cards” that – played right – help build connection and commitment: Humanity’s trump card in an increasingly digital deck. Insights include:-Leadership is a contact sport-Qu

The Keynote Season Part 3: Create ClarityIn times of ambiguity and uncertainty, people look intensely to their leaders.As that leader, if you can be nothing else, be clear.This episode explains why and how. Insights include:-Why people don’t do what they’re supposed to…and what to do about it-Why Ambiguity is Enemy No1 for High Performance-Leadership’s 2 Clarity Traps-How w

The Keynote Season Part 2: The Leadership ContributionLeadership isn’t about position, title, or privilege – although many organizations operate as if it is.Leadership is best seen as a form of contribution.In this episode, we unpack exactly what makes up that contribution. Insights include:-What is Leadership?-Ask the Audience – we all know great leadership-Organisations are

The Keynote Season Part 1: Chaos? Always!“Events, dear boy, events” was Harold Macmillan’s succinct reply when asked about the greatest challenge for a statesman. Well, so too with this humble Podcaster who – through force of “events” - has been absent from the podcast platform for exactly one year today. The absence, however, hasn’t been wasted and, on this the very

“The most scarce resource in the world today is attention” – Yuval Noah Harari The only 2 industries that refer to customers as “users” are Big Tech and drug cartels.We live in an increasingly technology-fuelled Garden of Eden – an attention economy where the most sophisticated dark forces are constantly, covertly intent at work to distract you.If time is your most pre

“Imagination is more important than Knowledge – Albert Einstein” What has Art got to do with Leadership? Throughout nearly 30 years of working with leaders and leadership, the very best leaders I’ve encountered all have had one thing in common irrespective of geography or industry: the sensibility of an artist. This was reinforced to me recently when attending a screening o

Whilst not obligatory that you “love” your people at work - in the amorous sense! - people at least need to know you, as the leader, have got their best interests at heart.On this Valentine’s Day, it is worth remembering that your connection to those that matter makes an enormous contribution to your leadership impact and results. Here’s one of my favourite episodes “From

I started the Flow(group) business exactly 25 years ago this month - in January 1998. I can’t brag, because Google started up the same month. For context, it was the year Apple unveiled the iMac; the Bill Clinton/ Monica Lewinsky scandal; the FDA approved the Viagra pill (not related); and the NI Good Friday Agreement (definitely not related). During the time, in addition to the

“It’s only when the tide goes out you see who’s been swimming in the nude” – Warren Buffett As a leader the decision to let people go is never easy, but sometimes necessary. Nonetheless, it is often in these Moments that Matter where leaders show what stuff they are really made of. The current high-profile Tech lay-offs provide a unique test for leaders in a sector that h

“Useless. Shambles. Incompetent. CHAOS” These were the dominant words of a GB News Peoples’ Poll Wordcloud last week as the Tory party unravelled amidst a sequence of bizarre and barely credible events. But what role did Leadership have to play in the absurdist drama and what was it Liz Truss did or didn’t do to contribute to her own ultimate downfall? This episode unpicks