“Am I thinking what you’re thinking?” – Perspective taking Vs perspective sharing

The conversational query “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” may have become a cliche, but rephrased (as in the heading above), it may help us to think a little more deeply about how we try to understand each other. We have been urged not to judge another until we’ve walked a mile in their shoes.… Continue reading “Am I thinking what you’re thinking?” – Perspective taking Vs perspective sharing

Filters and Factors in Deliberation

Deliberation – where strategic and personal perspectives meet. We directors and executives all like to think that we are rational beings, engaged in objective decision making processes to achieve governance and management goals. All of our best practice models describe linear and logical steps we take (or aspire to) to optimise performance and meet our… Continue reading Filters and Factors in Deliberation

Change resistance and response

Context In my previous post, issues encountered by various of my non-profit clients were identified as catalysts for application of an empathy mapping response, in order to gain greater insight into the underlying causes of resistance to change initiatives. The issues and circumstances were summarised as follows: – a CEO dealing with resistance to cultural… Continue reading Change resistance and response

Empathy and Mindfulness in leadership (and life)

Empathy is one of the featured qualities of effective leaders in much of the leadership literature. Henry Mintzberg lists the collaborative mindset, requiring empathy and insight into a network of relationships, as one of The Five Minds of a Manager. Managing self: the reflective mind-set Managing organizations: the analytic mind-set Managing context: the worldly mind-set… Continue reading Empathy and Mindfulness in leadership (and life)

Nudging your board towards better decision-making

If you would like to help your directors to be more effective decision-makers, you will find the Behavioural Government report from the Behavioural Insights Team of interest. While it is sub-titled “Using behavioural science to improve how governments make decisions” it could just as readily have been styled “Using behavioural science to improve board governance“,… Continue reading Nudging your board towards better decision-making

Meaningful connections

As we head into the festive season, we re-prioritise family and friends and look to spend ‘quality time’ with them.  It’s also a time when we take stock, and resolve to improve various aspects of our lives – not least our working lives. In discussing the importance of effective workplace communications with one of my… Continue reading Meaningful connections

Hearts and minds in public policy

The importance of restoring regard for kindness alongside hard-headed analysis in public policy deliberations is highlighted in the new Carnegie UK Trust report Kindness, emotions and human relationships: The blind spot in public policy. The report argues “that the great public policy challenges of our time demand an approach that is more centred on relationships;… Continue reading Hearts and minds in public policy