Blogs
Don’t aim too low
"The greatest danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short but in setting our aim too low and achieving our mark." - Michelangelo. I read this quote the other day and it got me thinking about the diversity of people I work with while...
Bear the burden or wear the joy
Funny how a simple turn of phrase can change our experience. If we believe we are wearing a burden then we start to feel this energetically and eventually it is felt emotionally too. It wears you down and it drains you. Reframe and believe the activities you are...
Don’t let fear drive you apart
Watching a movie on the flight over to NZ got me reflecting on how people let fear drive them apart. It is very easy to do - fear to have the conversation you really want to and need to have - means you say nothing, make assumptions, dive into your own thinking and...
Chapter 4 – Building Confidence in your Leadership Mastery
In this fortnightly series, Alison Glynn-Baker discusses some key concepts in Mandy Holloway’s book, ‘Inspiring Courageous Leaders’. She also poses some provocative questions. We invite you to provide your opinion and join the discussion. Looking back. And how it...
The Glass Cliff
On my way back from Perth yesterday I was sitting quietly catching up on some reading - the AFR. Turned to the column written by Catherine Fox - Corporate Woman - entitled "Forget the baby what about the glass cliff?". I found it fascinating reading - she was...
Infect more people with “dreamers disease” I say!
Sitting in the lounge area of a NZ hotel after facilitating workshops with a wonderful client I was reflecting on the last two days when a song came on that drew my attention. It is a song I have always loved (from a bop along and dance perspective, and a sing out...
What feeds your soul?
Sitting on my own while away working with a client - everyone has gone home to their families and here I am in the lounge because I don't want to be alone in my hotel room. Music videos are being streamed....and I start to be really present with the songs and the...
The importance of “endings” when change is imposed
Experiences with clients as they have decided to “impose change” on me as the consultant partnering them in the delivery of a leadership development program within their organisation has certainly created great mindfulness about the importance of creating respectful...
Chapter 3 – Leadership Mastery
In this fortnightly series, Alison Glynn-Baker discusses some key concepts in Mandy Holloway’s book, ‘Inspiring Courageous Leaders’. She also poses some provocative questions. We invite you to provide your opinion and join the discussion. Choose your attitude While...
Dysfunctioning Teams
I find it fascinating that many people prefer to look at what makes a team dysfunctional than what makes it a high performing team. As a result I have decided to share with those that like to look at what’s wrong with the purpose of enticing you to want to build a...
Mindfulness or Mindlessness
Participating in a recent workshop on mindfulness created some deep learning for me. We were challenged to differentiate mindfulness from mindlessness through some very interesting activities. As we progressed through the content of the workshop I realised that far...
Accountability is not a dirty word
Accountability is critical to high performance and yet so many leaders find it difficult to instill it in their culture, their teams and the way they delegate work to others. So why do we find it so hard? Because it means having some tough conversations and it means...
Chapter 2 – Immersing Yourself in the Courageous Leaders Model
In this fortnightly series, Alison Glynn-Baker discusses some key concepts in Mandy Holloway’s book, ‘Inspiring Courageous Leaders’. She also poses some provocative questions. We invite you to provide your opinion and join the discussion. “Impossible is just a big...
Dance in the Storm
Recently I had an interesting few days as I found myself lying still whilst investing my energy into repairing my back. I have been reminded that lying still is not something I do well, especially as everyone around me dances, runs, walks and laughs their way around...
Upward Spiral of Courage
As we still experience the GFC lag - with corporate collapses rising, redundancies prevalent and increasing pressure on cost cutting - I thought it important to remind people of the power of the upward spiral of courage. When people operate on this upward spiral of...
Anger is an acid
I read this quote from Mark Twain "Anger is an acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it is stored than to anything on which it is poured." and it got me thinking: Having been on the receiving end of many angry bosses I thought I don't know if I agree with...
Leaders are Born
I have had so many people tell me that leaders are born - they say you can see evidence of it when children play in the sand pit with their friends. People also blame their natural preferences on whether they were born to be a leader - I am just too quiet, I am...
Anger Management
Coaching a senior person recently we explored the importance of managing your anger. He wanted some tools to deal with it so I thought I would share the essence of our conversation with the intent it could support someone else in the same situation. I believe in the...
Chapter 1 – What is Courage for You?
In this fortnightly series, Alison Glynn-Baker discusses some key concepts in Mandy Holloway’s book, ‘Inspiring Courageous Leaders’. She also poses some provocative questions. We invite you to provide your opinion and join the discussion. "No one can answer for his...