Lists

We all like lists whether it is collecting and using them, or producing our own. Here are some that you may find interesting and useful.

Tom Morris’s Seven Cs of Success

Amongst all the self help gurus Tom Morris stands out. he began life as a superstar professor at Notre Dame but then gave that up to be a highly successful speaker and writer. his book “The Art of Achievement” is highly recommended.

1. A clear conception of what we want, a vivid vision, a goal clearly imagined 

2. A strong confidence that we can achieve our goal

3. A focused concentration that we can achieve our goal

4. A stubborn consistency in pursuing our vision

5. An emotional commitment to the importance of what we are doing

6. A good character to guide us and keep us on a proper course

7. A capacity to enjoy the process alomg the way 

The Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership

The subject of leadership is wide ranging but James Kouzes and Barry Posner capture the essence of transformational leadership with these five practices common to personal-best leadership experiences.

  • Model the way
  • Inspire a shared vision
  • Challenge the process
  • Enable others to act
  • Encourage the heart

Revitalization Checklist

Manfred Kets De Vries is a very wise man. In his book “Leadership Mystique” he challenges leaders (and indeed all of us) to look for signs that we are:

  • Continuing to strive for a sense of personal growth through self exploration
  • Surprising ourselves and others
  • Balancing our professional and private lives
  • Cultivating tried and ties with others
  • Remaining physically active
  • “Owning” our own life

The Four Stages of Personal Change

The motivational change of change developed by Prochaska and his colleagues has these 4 stages.

  1. The precontemplation stage of change
  2. The contemplation stage of change
  3. the action stage of change
  4. The maintenance stage

Eight Steps to Transforming an organisation

  1. Establish a sense of urgency
  2. Form a powerful guiding coalition
  3. Create a vision
  4. Communicate the vision
  5. Empower others to act on the vision
  6. plan for create short term wins
  7. Consolidate improvements and produce more changes
  8. Institutionalise new approaches

Six Aspects of Strategy

  •  Strategy is about decision making
  • Strategy is about the long term impacts of important decisions for the organisation
  • Strategy is about the integration and focus of business functions
  • Strategy is about creating value for customers and key stakeholders
  • Strategy is about competing with and outperforming competitors

The source of this is the excellent “Strategic Management : Thinking, Analysis and Action” by Graham Hubbard

Responsibilities of a Facilitator

  • Remain neutral on content
  • Draw out and ensure balanced participation
  • Provide structure and flow for the session
  • Listen actively and ensure others do the same
  • Encourage different points of view
  • Record, organize and summarise input from workshop members
  • Move workshop members to consensus and, if appropriate, decision-making
  • Encourage the group to evaluate its own progress
  • Protect ideas of group members from attack or being ignored
  • Emphasize that the group has a wealth of experience, knowledge and creativity and use the skills of facilitation to fully utilize this resource

The source of this list is the useful “The Facilitator Excellence Handbook” by Fran Rees.

 Five thought provoking quotes:

  • Know your opportunity (Pittacus, 650-570 BC)
  • There is nothing in the world really beneficial that does not lie within the reach of an informed understanding and a well directed pursuit (Edmund Burke, 1729 - 1797)
  • I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past (Thomas Jefferson, 1743 1826)
  • There is no passion to be found in playing small, in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living (Nelson Mandella, 1918-)
  •  To improve is to change;to be perfect is to change often (Winston Churchill, 1874-1965 )                      

Familiar adages, cliched even, but true

  • Do unto others as you would have others do unto you
  • Do you want to be right or happy
  • Put yourself in the other person’s shoes
  • Life is not a dress rehearsal
  • Just do it

Top Five Detective Novels

Recalled To Life (Reginald Hill)

Reg Hill is an excellent writer with a mastery of words.  There is a clever usage of Charles Dickens’ “Tale of Two Cities” and Dalziel, more prominent in later novels, goes to the United States to solve a complex mystery.

The Summer That Never Was (Peter Robinson)

Peter Robinson has taken some time to establish his reputation in Great Britain but he is now, quite rightly, in the premier division of crime writers.His plotting is excellent and this novel evokes a powerful portrayal of life in 1965.  I know - I was there.  Published in the United States as “Close to home”.

Light House (PD James)

P.D. James is a subtle yet powerful writer whose powers show no sign of waning.  Her creation Inspector Dalgleish can veer between the priggish and the noble and here he tackles a “locked room” mystery.

Adam and Eve and Pinch Me (Ruth Rendall)

Ruth Rendell is a brilliant writer with great psychological insight and a feel for contemporary life. The cliche “once you pick it up you won’t be able to put it down” is true in this case.

 A Ghost in the Machine (Caroline Graham)

I bow to no-one in my love of Midsomer Murders but Caroline Graham’s novels in which Inspector Barnaby first appeared are something really special.  Caroline Graham is a very underrated writer and this powerful, moving novel is a good place to discover her talent.

Top 5 Place to get breakfast in Manchester:

 Abergeldie, Shudehill

Abergeldie, perhaps, doesn’t know it but it is an institution, having for many years served food which has been enjoyed by both workers in the city and those visiting it.  Abergeldie offers a magnificent breakfast of generous proportion and with their bacon always of the highest quality.

Antonio’s, Piccadilly Station, Walkway

Is there a cheaper breakfast than the three pound special at Antonio’s, although the portions seem to be diminishing.  Good value and the experience is enhanced by the interesting characters who eat there.

Kro, Piccadilly

A more sophisticated establishment than my other recommendations and consequently rather pricey.  They offer an interesting vegetarian option with good veggie sausages. 

Essy’s, John Dalton Street

This establishment offers generous portions and good, friendly service.  Particularly noteworthy are the fried bread and hash browns.

Northern Cafe, Shudehill

Breakfast is a serious business with six varieties offered.  The vegetarian option includes quorn burgers.  If you manage the American and live to tell the tale please let me know.

Five recommended American comedy movies

  • Duck Soup (1933)
  • Bringing  Up Baby (1938)
  • Blazing Saddles (1974)
  • Airplane (1980)
  • The Jerk (1979)

The Seven Skills You Need to Thrive as a Senior Executive
1. Leadership
2. Strategic thinking and execution
3. Technical and technology skills
4. Team and relationship building
5. Communication and presentation
6. Change-management
7. Intergrity
Source: The Seven Skills you need to thrive in the C-Suite by Boris Groysberg in the HBR