I always liked Enid Blyton’s Noddy. He seemed quite a simple character to me. And he spoke a language that was easy to understand. Next time someone explains things in terms you don’t understand stop them. Ask them to explain things to you in ‘Noddy Language’. If they can’t explain things in simple terms or terms understandable to an ... Read more

Bosses can be a problem. They have a habit of telling you what to do. Often this isn’t the same as what you want to do. However, occasionally even I have to admit they can add value. One of mine used to say ‘Keep It Simple, Stay Accountable, Make It Happen’. Usually I dismiss such sound bites as superficial ... Read more

Sometimes you realise that money can be better spent. I once took a group of managers from different countries away on a ‘cross cultural course’ to understand how people from different geographies and backgrounds see things differently. The aim was to help them learn how to work better together. It was two days of intensive lectures, group work and ... Read more

I never liked nicknames as I found it patronising and crass. What I’ve realised in later life is that nicknames are often a demonstration of having built rapport and to a degree friendship. Unless you build rapport with the people you work for/with it is far more difficult to get results. A key quote from the American leadership expert ... Read more