Don’t forget to be kind (also) to your boss. Once – as one of his many philosophical asides – the late John Caldon shared this insight with me as we walked the streets of Sydney to our next business meeting: “Most people assume, Adam, that the more senior you become, the easier your job gets. […]
Read More… from Be Kind to Your Boss – They’re Carrying Their Own Heavy Load Too
All the great leaders I’ve known never cared much about titles, prizes or awards. When the governor of Kyoto called on Zen master Keichen, he gave his business card to the disciple who opened the door. When the card was handed to Keichen, it read: Kitagaki, Governor of Kyoto. He shouted, “Throw him out! I […]
Read More… from Great Leaders Don’t Chase Titles – Titles Chase True Character
A note to American voters and to all voters in the democratic world. More important than who you vote for, is how you treat those who vote differently to you. A family is not a family unless there is love; and a country is not a country unless there is respect. Take down a notch […]
Read More… from Vote with Respect – Unity Is the True Power of Democracy
Lessons from my father. The reward of a life well-lived, is a rest well-deserved. In August 2018, my father having recently suffered a fall – and recognising the end was near – called me into his bedroom and asked me to lay beside him on his bed. “Do you know that feeling when you’ve worked […]
Read More… from A Life Well-Lived Is the Sweet Fatigue of the Soul
A note to young leaders. Death is the great liberator. When Barrack Obama’s mother died – way too young, at the age of 53 from uterine cancer – Obama suddenly found himself an orphan, having already lost his father 13-years prior. While grieving his mother’s loss, Obama had an epiphany: “It suddenly dawned on me […]
Read More… from Death Liberates – How Loss Fueled Obama’s Bold Leadership
Meditating on death has much to teach us, if we can overcome the popular superstition that death is a depressing or morbid topic. Contemplating death can liberate you from your myriad fears and make you bold. Here’s a meditation on death by Steve Jobs: “For the past 33 years, I have looked in the mirror […]
Read More… from Meditate on Death to Live Boldly – Lessons from Steve Jobs
Relationships really matter. As I travel around the world, I like to ask friends and colleagues this question: “What’s the happiest and most memorable holiday from your childhood?” What do you think the most common response is? Travelling to exotic islands? Seeing iconic sites like Kakadu? Skiing in Thredbo? Nope. The most common response is: […]
Read More… from Relationships Matter More Than Any Team-Building Program
All things come to those who hustle. George Lois, the colourful and controversial New York advertising director, tells a story of how he scored a major account in 1962, for his then newly formed firm: Papert Koenig Lois. The Chicago-based, Quaker Oats Company, was looking for a new ad agency to represent them and Lois’ […]
If you wish the world to esteem you greatly – you must first greatly esteem yourself. When Dolly Parton was approached by Elvis Presley’s longtime manager, Colonel Tom Parker, about her song “I Will Always Love You” – she was thrilled. But there was a snag. The night before the recording session, Parker demanded that […]
Read More… from Great Esteem Starts with Believing in Yourself