This week seems to have been one of difficult conversations for me. Well, not actually MY difficult conversations. Rather coaching conversations about difficult conversations that the senior leaders I’ve been working with need to have. Most of these difficult conversations could equally be called ‘how to give someone feedback about something I want them to change.’ From giving feedback to the micro-managing boss, to giving feedback to a peer who has over-stepped the mark on a mutual project, to giving ...

On January 31st this year, a UK law celebrated its 40th birthday. It’s a law that has saved many thousands of lives. Fourty years ago, on 31st January 1983, it became mandatory for drivers and front-seat passengers to wear seatbelts on every car journey. If, like me, you’re of a vintage that means you remember that law coming into force, you may also recall the 1970s advertising campaign preceded it. Its slogan was ‘Clunk Click Every Trip’ and it was ...

This week I enjoyed a glass of wine and the movie ‘The Banshees of Inisherin’. I loved the movie because it showcases the beauty of my homeland 😊. I also loved it because it has an unusual storyline – I’m not giving away any secrets if I tell you that it’s about Colm who suddenly ends a life-long friendship with Pádraic, much to Pádraic’s bemusement. And I loved it because it isn’t one of those movies where you know the ...

What’s the most painful feedback you’ve ever received? Was it in personal or business life? As a child or as an adult? If you’re like most of the leaders I work with, you’ll recall several occasions when feedback hurt more than it helped. Despite exhortations to welcome feedback ‘as a gift’, feedback rarely feels like the kind of gift you want to find with your name on it!   Author Marcus Buckingham describes the belief that feedback is essential for ...

How’s 2023 going so far? I’m sure you’re already striding forward to achieve many of your goals, but I’m not focussed on success today. No, because life brings us failure too and we need help to turn the tough times around as well as to celebrate results. That’s why I want to dig into those areas where things aren’t hitting the mark for you right now. Maybe you’ve been overlooked for that sought after promotion…again Or your boss seems to ...

I’m going to boast a little bit this week because it sets the context for this week’s email. Plus, I want to share this story 😉. Story first. The week before Christmas I was having coffee in the West End of Glasgow with a senior HR client. We hadn’t met for a few months and my client asked what I’d been working on recently. I talked her through the area I’m currently exploring and my rationale for it. The customer ...