Switching off with sandpaper
How do you switch off and relax?
I spent two hours today sanding a new batch of wooden blocks. It felt like a real workout.
It also gave me valuable time away from the screen.
And this allowed me to come back, fully refreshed. Thinking differently about the task in hand.
Obviously, more sanding is required!
Top 5 Business Book
What’s your favourite business book of all time?
According to one recent customer, the Twelve Scholars Leadership Playbook is now in his Top 5. (And could go higher!)
When asked, his number one business book is Release Your Brakes by James W. Newman.
And yes, I’ve just bought my copy!
Foundations of building blocks
A recent refresh reveals just how far the wooden blocks have developed.
This photo was taken five years ago. We had just received the printing proofs from our first journal. (Hung delicately over my kitchen chairs). The EGSP® Leadership Compass was still a concept.
I was looking for a supplier of building blocks. The wood had to be sourced sustainably. They had to be tactile, high quality and free from splinters or sap. It took a while.
Looking back, it’s hard to imagine these blocks being anything different. Or buying them from anywhere other than Germany(!).
The EGSP® Leadership Compass is now available to buy. Limited stocks apply.
AI saving time in Lightroom
Always improving. And tonights it’s Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop and AI. Again.
The left hand image shows six wooden blocks in their original tones. To me, they looked a bit unbalanced.
I altered the colour palette on three of the blocks. Can you guess which ones?
Although it may seem like a faff. I’ve actually saved time. I was about to sand down six more blocks and retake the product shoot. Now that would have been a faff!
AI is turning out to be a bit of a time saver—when you know how.
1,ooo + four more words
A picture can often paint 1,000 words. Well, we’ve just added four more.
The letters EGSP are the backbone of everything we do at Twelve Scholars. They stand for Excellent, Good, Satisfactory and Poor. And when combined, they are a highly dynamic and versatile tool.
This ‘product photo’ is the new cover for our soon-to-be-launched micro course… ‘How to make a dent with four simple words’.
Leadership transformation
Spot the difference.
In the studio again today. I’m trying to best capture ‘leadership transformation’ in one shot. It hasn’t been easy. So I keep reminding myself when the frame is good enough to move on.
Here we have the Leadership Compass in maple, contrasting with a walnut version.
What other differences can you spot?
A touch of Lightroom
How do you make a step change difference?
In photography, it’s common to use Photoshop and Lightroom to touch up photos. It’s something I taught myself. And it’s taken forever. Today those skills are second nature. And it’s the composition and storytelling that I’m working on.
This photo is my best attempt to summarise ‘The Essential Scholar’ in one shot—with post-production editing and the latest AI update in Photoshop.
Looking back, my photography skills have certainly improved. I just need to remember when it’s good enough to move on.
Website Revisited
Back to the drawing board this weekend—a work in progress. Thanks for your patience and feedback. A new look coming soon.
A Fresh Start
What will you do differently this month?
Every two months I start a new bullet journal. It’s a chance to start again. A blank page. A different perspective.
Although I’ve been doing this ritual for over 10 years. I wish I’d started sooner.
It’s an opportunity to review the past two months. And plan ahead. Determine what worked well. And what needs doing differently.
There has been tremendous change in technology over the past 10 years. But one thing that has remained (and will remain) constant. And that’s the tradition of starting a new bullet journal.
Silver Linings
A good friend of mine recently received shared some bad news—let’s call it a setback. Me too. I’ve just had a wonderful opportunity taken away.
One way to deal with setbacks is to consider all the silver linings. Think about all the lessons learned, the experience gained and the positives.
As a leader, it’s inevitable that you’ll face setbacks. It’s how you deal with it that counts.
The Heuristics of Getting Older
As we get older, poor health can affect our confidence and ability to do things. Whether it’s physical or mental, we need a simple way to stay sharp and in good health. But how?
A simple yardstick is to perform as many press ups as your age. This may not sound appealing, but hear me out—with the use of our EGSP Framework®.
Poor = unable to complete a set of press ups.
Satisfactory = reach double figures (this has been me everyday for the past year).
Good = as many as your age.
Excellent = more than your age.
It’s my brother’s birthday today. His goal is to complete 52 press ups. Whether or not he achieves this target immediately, the process will help him in so many other ways.
Expect a Special Delivery
What can you expect from Twelve Scholars?
When you join our Leadership Development Programme, not only do you gain instant access to our online tutorials, you’ll also receive two rather special parcels through the post.
The first parcel is a white box that contains your Leadership Playbook. This is your course curriculum, presented as a beautiful set of notes.
The second parcel is a ‘poster tube’. This contains your Leadership Compass—a tactile teaching tool that’ll guide you and your team.
A State of ‘Fast Flow’
Most mornings, I’ll walk/jog/run along my local river. Always keen to spot something in nature. Buds on the trees. Pregnant ducks. A heron. Deers hiding in the bushes. It works. I’ll always arrive home that bit more creative—and productive. Today, was all about the river.
I’ve noticed the river running high before. But today, it was flowing faster than I’ve ever seen. The volume was impressive. And it got me thinking. Creativity is like the water in the river. When the level is high, your juices run high. When the river runs dry, then so too do your ideas. A trickle at best.
But the ‘fast flow’ can cause havoc. Ducks search for a new feeding spot. The river bank gets eroded—tree roots are exposed. Rocks and stones underneath shift downstream. And localised flooding may happen.
And that’s a good metaphor for creativity. It’s messy. It’s not for everyone. But when the rain stops, and the level subsides, everything goes back to normal. But somehow, it’s different.
The Republic of Tea
“You don’t get hold of an idea. An idea gets hold of you.”
The latest addition to our leadership library has just arrived. It was highly recommended by David Hieatt (DO Lectures/Hiut Denim). Without hesitation, an order was placed.
The Republic of Tea is a book of real letters, faxed between Mel Ziegler and Patricia Ziegler, co-founders of Banana Republic, and their friend Bill Rosenzwieg. It chronicles the day-to-day breakthroughs and breakdowns of the creative process—inventing a product, developing a plan and structuring a business partnership.
Published in 1992, this gem of a book is now out of print. My hardback edition arrived in remarkably good condition. Can’t wait to sit down and enjoy—of course, with a pot of tea.
The Importance of Being Earnest
You know the feeling. You’ve been there before. Sometimes, you just need to knuckle down and get the job done.
Being earnest results from a sincere and intense conviction. A useful feeling when you're committed to the cause. A type of dedication that’s deep and diligent.
What’s the alternative? Well, you could argue it’s being half-hearted or apathetic about things. Not taking things seriously, and giving up far too easily. As always, you have a choice. (Or not).
Time Management on Teams
How often do you jump from one Teams call to the next. Constantly late. Sending your apologies. Unable to grab a moment—even for a cuppa?
Vince Lombardi was famous for his ‘Lombardi Time’ principle. ‘Always arrive 15 minutes early’ was his mantra. It was the backbone of his coaching success. Well, why don’t we start applying this to video calls.
In theory, it should be easier to apply online than in person. But it takes discipline. Discipline to not overcommit to too many meetings. Or too many meetings with the potential to overlap.
And so we need to structure our meetings better, keep an eye on the clock, and wrap up well before the scheduled end time. Don’t worry, I’m as guilty as the next person—but I’m getting better.
What are you doing to improve your online time management? Perhaps it’s time we create a code of conduct for online meetings?
Late for Hockey Practice
It’s the weekend. And my youngest nephew has hockey practice. It’s the same time, same place, every week. Only he doesn’t.
In any team sport it pays to be early. Let’s call it Lombardi time. Even for a 12-year old.
The advantages are plenty.
Less stress and a more relaxed start to the day (especially for his dad).
Meet with friends and coaches before practice.
A chance to warm up properly—and prepare for the session.
Be known as someone who is reliable, consistent and dependable.
Increase your chances of selection.
If only he could put down the Lego Minecraft, avoid Fortnite and pack his bags the night before.
If you’re wondering why you're not succeeding in business, then arriving early is a useful skill.
A Personal Manifesto
Examples of personal manifestos… from Deiter Rams to Do Lectures.
What would this look like for you, your team or your organisation?
Culture eats Projects
Even the best strategy isn’t guaranteed success. Why is this?
We learn time and time again that great strategies can be resisted by a strong culture. I’ve witnessed this myself. Even when armed with the best strategy—projects sometimes fail due to culture.
Culture can be a powerful thing. It can counteract and resist change—no matter how good the project is. To paraphrase Peter Drucker, “Culture eats projects for breakfast.”
Super Bowl 58
Will she or won’t she?
That’s the big question on everyone’s lips at this years’ NFL Super Bowl grand finale.