The path to fulfillment versus the path to victory is the way Simon Sinek sets the scene for this book. The author who brought us the concept of a “why” now brings us the concept of “infinity” as it relates to leadership and progress. The temptation for us all is the route of near-term victory, […]
I thoroughly enjoyed this Netflix series of five episodes. Playbook is about the golden rules of extraordinary experience, identified by five exceptional sports coaches including Jose Mourinho. I was inspired by the series and can recommend it to anyone interested in leading excellence for themselves or their teams. Doc Rivers (Basketball) Finish the race. Don’t be a […]
In 2020 I published a book called Accelerating Automatic. It draws on my experience as a Performance Coach with Exceed, a Facilitator at Cape Leadership, and before that as a Royal Marines Captain. In the book, I unveil a simple model for personal and team mastery. The model integrates mindset, method, and mood while also unpacking […]
I have recently been drawn to books about learning and memory. On audio I am listening to Moonwalking with Einstein by Joshua Foer, on Kindle I’m reading The Talent Code by Daniel Coyle having recently read Limitless by Jim Kwik. Lined up I have The Only Skill that Matters by Jonathan Levi, and Learn like a Polymath by Peter Hollins. In addition I was thrilled […]
I happened upon an excellent TED talk recently: Michael Brody-Waite at TEDxNashville. The speaker is a successful entrepreneur and former drug addict. The title of his talk was Great leaders do what drug addicts do. He made the point that addicts use every day or they don’t use at all. It is binary. All or nothing. […]
I recently spoke to a young man who described a basketball game he played a while back. He explained that the other team was loaded with national age-group players and as such was the overwhelming favourite to win the clash. However, his own underdog team was loaded with “belief in possible” and a dare-to-win mentality […]
As a breakaway performance guide, I always learn from the leadership teams I am privileged to support. This last week was no different as I traveled across to Denmark to contribute to the offsite session of a leadership team from the energy sector. I like to notice what other leaders notice. It helps me evolve […]
Three interactive experiences in 2019, reminded me of the significance of PIE. I’m not referencing the edible kind (or indeed Pi the number), rather I am noting an easily-remembered acronym which might serve as a useful performance prompt. 1. Participate and Plan Woody Allen said “80% of success is showing up”. I have experienced this time and […]
Leadership is about what leaders do more than what we say. Ideally doing what we say we will, sets the tone for a successful campaign. If key leaders are not driving the right behaviour and the right focus, progress will undoubtedly suffer. I recently read a great quote: “The world is changed by your example, […]
In this fascinating book, Epstein argues for delayed specialisation: The idea of starting “broad” and then progressing towards specialism. To set the scene, he compares Tiger Woods to Roger Federer; two phenomenal sportsmen but with starkly different entries into their respective sports. Woods is pure golf talent. He is laser-focused on beating Jack Nicklaus’ record […]