Posts

Posted on

Captain it’s imperative you listen

The captain (boss) gets the final say. It’s important there is clarity about who is in charge. However being the boss doesn’t mean every decision is the right one. You (first officer) need a way you can convey your point of view if the decision(s) being made could have a very bad outcome. At work we follow the sociocracy workflow that has a principle of raising “critical concerns”. In aviation they say “captain, it’s imperative you listen” which is their code trigger to ensure the captain pays specific attention. Everyone needs ways to raise important questions. The boss may still choose an alternative course of action but at least both parties know how to raise their concerns.

Having a clear procedure for this type of communication may save time/money/ avoid a significant risk to you or others.

Posted on

Snakes and ladders

Every interaction is like a roll of the dice. You aim to move forward. Yet in the game Snakes and ladders a roll of the dice can move you forward but then suddenly back down the rung of a ladder. A little way down or nearly back to square one. Every time your boss changes, your contact leaves at the place you had influence or the world around you changes it can feel like your tumbling back to the beginning. Better to know that and know the conditions of the rules than to keep focusing on changing the game just because you don’t want to play. Expect to tumble and go again and again.

Posted on

Nobody knows

How did they know it was going to work?

Nobody knows until they tried. Nobody knows but they have previous experience of a similar situation. Nobody knows but they have considered what’s the worst that can happen.

Nobody knows if you already tried once or a dozen times before and this time will be different.

But once you try you’ll know. You’ll know it works or doesn’t. It could work if only you adjusted or adapted.

What do I need to know to get the best outcome.

Posted on

Tricking ourselves at Gare du Mans

A small group of us are in the city of Le Mans for the 24hr race. Same trains and apartment as last time. We hopped off the train and knew to keep the track on our right. A few minutes later we got to an unfamiliar junction. We realized our mistake. Although keeping the tracks to the right is a good idea, it turns out there is both a north and south exit. Therefore the tracks can be on our right going in both directions. It made me think of all the signals and little tricks we use to navigate life and can still go arwy. In order to have not got confused we should have chosen the additional variable. What else are we certain of that may turn out to be incorrect.

Posted on

Take 5

Featuring yours truly:

At a time when the creative industries are being revolutionised by digital transformation, shifting audience dynamics, and evolving funding landscapes, we’ve captured a powerful snapshot of leadership thinking that cuts through the noise.

Take Five
Posted on

One pot Curry

1 white onion – cover bottom of pan and cook for at least 15mins

6 whole tomatoes chopped up for 5mins

4 cloves of garlic

Large handful of fresh coriander

2 teaspoons of ginger paste or fresh 4cm

1 tin of coconut milk

1 chicken breast per 3 people covered in tikka masala paste for 1hr in advance

1 tablespoon of masala paste in the main pot

Salt and pepper to taste Cauliflower or chickpeas

Posted on

Being heard

One of the key things for improving over the long term is ensuring people are heard. In https://www.sociocracyforall.org/ there are a number of ways this is done. You can read those yourself. Being heard isn’t the same though as having to do whatever you are told in that feedback. It is too simplistic to assume having every voice heard means everyone gets a say. It is ok to say “I hear you but on this occasion I’m going in a different direction but thanks for your feedback it did help me make a decision.”