A definition of poor
When was the last time you received a poor service?
Perhaps it was in a restaurant, queuing at the shops, or being put on hold.
Was it really poor?
Or were you just disappointed, kept quiet and accepted the fact that they could have (should have) done much better?
We define poor as a substandard, inferior experience that’s unacceptable.
Unacceptable to you. And unacceptable to others.
And if you truly care (and want to help others), then a failure to call out poor is, in itself, poor.
#thickredline
The launch of a new podcast
This is something we’ve been working on over the summer months.
A weekly podcast that allows us to discuss the Thick Red Line.
Yup… my obsession with the Thick Red Line continues.
(And so too the perfection paralysis when designing the show’s thumbnail image).
The Thick Red Line is a podcast that will distill the difference between what’s right and what’s wrong.
What’s good and what’s bad.
What’s acceptable and what’s not acceptable.
No questions asked. No explanations required.
A satisfactory launch date will be October.
Poor will be November.
#leadership
#ticktock
#thickredline
Swim lane etiquette
I’ve always said the EGSP Framework™ can be applied to any situation.
In this week’s THICK RED LINE podcast, we visit the swimming pool to explore what EGSP looks like—specifically, swim lane etiquette.
What would you consider poor behaviour? What would you consider satisfactory behaviour? How can we get over the Thick Red Line?
As always, they’ll be a few lessons you could apply to your organisation?
The First Ten days of leadership
Much gets written about the first 90 days, or first 100 days days of leadership. But what about the first 10 days. What can we learn from King Charles III first foray as a new Monarch?
In this week’s THE SUNDAY SCHOLAR podcast, we delve into the past 10 days, and look at what we can all learn.
As always, there’s a recommended book, word of the week, and action step!
Market research—over a glass of wine
Some of the best ideas happen when you’re relaxed. And tonight was no exception.
Earlier in the day, I’d visited Jane Blease at Manchester Craft Village to buy a couple of gifts. (Jane has a remarkable skill in woodwork and sewing—she’s previously designed a fabulous lampshade for my lounge).
And whilst browsing her wares, it occurred that we could take our bookmarks to the next level.
Why settle for satisfactory, when you can have good or excellent?
Rather than digital print in black and white, guillotined. Why not work with Jane to produce a limited edition range of Twelve Scholars bookmarks, out of a wood veneer and cotton.
But do we go for walnut or oak? And yellow or black cotton?
Well, I tested the options with a good friend mine. We did a spot of market research at a trendy wine bar in Ancoats, Manchester. (Hey, it was our annual birthday dinner).
Which one did the prefer?
Watch this space!
Setting Expectations at a State Funeral
Collectively, we’ll all have a good idea what to expect on Monday, 19 September—the day of Her Majesty’s state funeral.
Pageantry and flags.
King Charles III. Flanked by Camilla the Queen Consort, William and Harry.
The BBC will do an amazing job broadcasting to the world.
The Metropolitan Police will do their bit.
As too all the military personnel involved in the procession.
And the outpouring of stories and adoration from the British public.
So what can we learn from the Thick Red Line?
In this week’s episode we explore EGSP and how it can be applied to a state funeral.
Queen Elizabeth II
What can be said? When so much has been said, and will be said over the coming days and weeks.
In this week’s THE SUNDAY SCHOLAR podcast, we pay our scholarly tribute—featuring 12 valuable lessons in leadership.
(Tbh, we could' have featured 112 valuable lessons—so here’s our top 12!)
As always, there’s a recommended book, word of the week, and action step!
A nation and world in mourning
Time for reflection and contemplation. So many valuable lessons in leadership. So many stories to tell. This will be a chapter we’ll all remember. Godspeed.
The Thick Red Line
Imagine a world where it’s obvious what’s right and what’s wrong.
A place where you can tell the difference between good and bad.
No questions asked.
No explanations given.
The Thick Red Line is our new weekly podcast—released every Wednesday at 12 noon.
Lights. Camera. Action.
It’s been a while—too long.
YouTube videos and revised podcast will start appearing again very soon. :-)
Inspire, be inspired!
Satisfactory equals three out of nine
No matter how hard you try, plan and persist. Sometimes—not everything quite goes to plan.
What can you do?
Often, all you need is a reminder that ‘satisfactory’ can be good enough. Or in the word’s of Susan Banister, “Good Enough To Move On”.
Everyday, I’ll draw nine little boxes (admittedly, there’s one small box and four additional lines). It helps me put things in to perspective—whilst in the pursuit of Excellence. The three vertical columns represent morning, afternoon and evening. The three horizontal rows represent EGSP when shaded in. (Note, poor doesn’t require any shading.)
Therefore, this photo illustrates a satisfactory day was had in the morning, afternoon and evening.
Areas for improvement?
More exercise, less chocolate and follow up a few phone calls that I promised. Harsh, I know.
A career change in Cairo
I had my last job interview 15 years ago this week—in Cairo, Egypt.
I didn’t get the job.
But what I gained from the five-day all-out assessment was an experience I’ll never forget.
I learned about culture.
I learned about communication.
I learned about the role of CEO and Chairman.
I learned about entrepreneurship.
I learned about consultancy.
(I liked what I learned).
The role was Operations Manager at a paper mill located 50km north of Cairo.
And although I was gutted not to get the job, I decided there and then, to leave my current employer and start out as a self-employed management consultant.
How hard could it be?
That was 15 years ago. And two weeks before the start of the financial crisis.
Would I change anything?
Not for a second. The experience of going for a job interview—no matter how ridiculous the location—will stand you in good stead. It’ll set you apart from future competition. And the contacts made can last a lifetime.
For anyone contemplating a career change—good luck and enjoy the journey!
#careerchange
#culture
#entrepreneurship
Bullet Journal #55
It’s that time of the month again (well, every two months—tbh).
Call out the obsessive compulsive behaviour—this little Moleskine Carnet Quadrille will be Volume 55.
(Yes, I really have 54 identical notebooks!)
Same format. Same style. Same system.
I use a variation of the Bullet Journal, taught by Ryder Carroll. It’s a method I’ve developed over the years. One that’s full of TLAs, symbols and drawings.
Find a system that works for you. Make it personal. Rinse and repeat.
Inspire, be inspired!
#bulletjournal
#personaldevelopment
#inspirebeinspired
The beauty of imperfection
In many ways, imperfect can also be perfect.
Take this EGSP Wooden Block™ (this one just happens to be my favourite).
Check out the cross section.
The patterns in the wood.
The contrast between each year band.
The ever-so-faint burn mark from our laser-cutting process.
The fine wood dust trapped in the belly of the bee.
No computer-generated model or 3D printer could have produced this.
Yup, this little Scholar Bee makes me very happy. :-)
And boy it smells well—you can’t avoid the fresh smell of sanded maple.
12 pieces of litter
I live in a conversation area—and have a general rule when out walking.
If I see litter and there’s a bin nearby—I’ll do my bit.
If there’s no bin—then I’ll collect next time I pass.
Today was the first Monday I’ve spent at home for 9 months. (Yes, I was amazed too!) And so I decided to take an early morning stroll. Whilst observing young rabbits at play, a juvenile heron and heavily pregnant mallards, I also did my bit by consciously collecting 12 pieces of litter.
Not only was I protecting the area, but it also gave me 12 reasons to feel special.
Leading by example—sometimes, it’s the simple things.
Anything is possible
Here’s the product of a positive mindset overcoming all rational logic!
2.5 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run.
Inspire, be inspired. 5x.