Optimism is a favourite topic for coaches, and quite rightly so. There is now so much important literature about it and its consequences. I am on record as saying that optimism is a pre-requisite for success in leadership and management, and probably every major area of our life, including relationships. For, after all, what kindContinue reading “Checking out optimism”
Author Archives: mappingmotivation
The new financial year
The new year is a long time ago; what was fresh now seems stale. But the good news is that there are always three new years in merry old England. There's the new New Year beginning on the First of January; there's the academic new year starting in September when schools return from their summerContinue reading “The new financial year”
Relieving negative self talk
Everyone at some time or another experiences negative self talk. Why is this and what should be do about it? The first character who speaks in the Bible is God: at Genesis 1 v 3 God says, “Let there be light”, and there was. This is a pattern of God's language: he frequently speaksContinue reading “Relieving negative self talk”
Understanding more about mentoring
There is much written about coaching, which is undeniably an incredible and powerful way to develop people. Far less is written about mentoring; yet mentoring is one of the most powerful tools for personal development known to mankind. Speaking generically, there are three major ways to improve oneself: first, trial and error – a necessaryContinue reading “Understanding more about mentoring”
Who Needs Traffic Lights?
I walked this morning to my regular Tai Chi practice with Dr John. And as I always do I came to the T-Junction at the top end of Ashley Road. There is an intricate system of traffic lights – you know the sort, with green arrows so that while one lane is on red, anotherContinue reading “Who Needs Traffic Lights?”
The importance of belief
Belief is the essence of religions throughout the world, and having belief. And religions throughout the world have at least one commonality: there is not a religion that I am aware of that does not exhort its followers to believe AND as a result of believing to become more perfect – to follow the path.Continue reading “The importance of belief”
Consultants – and changes afoot!
A recent article in a London paper stated that the NHS in London “splashes out £114M on advisers”. Here, they helpfully explained, 'advisers' meant ‘management consultants’. As a management consultant myself I should be saying, Good! But I am not. Andrew Lansley, the Health Secretary, is staggered by the bill and wants to reduce itContinue reading “Consultants – and changes afoot!”
Leadership as theatre
To work in metaphors is the essence not of childishness, but of maturity, and it is fundamental to our appreciation of the world because it enables us to see the invisible relationship between things, ideas and processes. Metaphor is essentially dynamic – precisely what leadership is. If we wish to capture the essence of theContinue reading “Leadership as theatre”
Getting to grips with performance
The subject of performance is one of the most important of our lives and of our business. The reasons are not difficult to understand. At one level we are constantly judging how people perform, consciously or subconsciously. This may be easy to get when we consider a leader or manager at work: we think,Continue reading “Getting to grips with performance”
Thinking and our destiny
One of the most famous texts of the self help, personal development movement is James Allen's As a Man Thinketh. This fascinating book was first published in 1905 and has been cited ever since by almost every personal development guru, especially American guru. And for good reason: from its central contention – “As aContinue reading “Thinking and our destiny”
The Mapping Motivation Series 