The tool we all love and hate turns 40. Respect. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/w3ct74n7
Captain it’s imperative you listen
The captain (boss) gets the final say. It’s important there is clarity about who is in charge. However being the boss doesn’t mean every decision is the right one. You (first officer) need a way you can convey your point of view if the decision(s) being made could have a very bad outcome. At work we follow the sociocracy workflow that has a principle of raising “critical concerns”. In aviation they say “captain, it’s imperative you listen” which is their code trigger to ensure the captain pays specific attention. Everyone needs ways to raise important questions. The boss may still choose an alternative course of action but at least both parties know how to raise their concerns.
Having a clear procedure for this type of communication may save time/money/ avoid a significant risk to you or others.
Snakes and ladders
Every interaction is like a roll of the dice. You aim to move forward. Yet in the game Snakes and ladders a roll of the dice can move you forward but then suddenly back down the rung of a ladder. A little way down or nearly back to square one. Every time your boss changes, your contact leaves at the place you had influence or the world around you changes it can feel like your tumbling back to the beginning. Better to know that and know the conditions of the rules than to keep focusing on changing the game just because you don’t want to play. Expect to tumble and go again and again.
Museums in films and TV
- Heist in Despicable Me 3
- Base of villian in Paddington
- Heist in Black Panther
- meetimg place in Janes Bond
Other people’s reading lists
I try to document every book I read. This post will be a collection of other people’s lists who’s work I like. Maybe there is an overlap or maybe not.
Patrick Collison, CEO of stripe (I started using around 2015)
Nobody knows
How did they know it was going to work?
Nobody knows until they tried. Nobody knows but they have previous experience of a similar situation. Nobody knows but they have considered what’s the worst that can happen.
Nobody knows if you already tried once or a dozen times before and this time will be different.
But once you try you’ll know. You’ll know it works or doesn’t. It could work if only you adjusted or adapted.
What do I need to know to get the best outcome.
Tricking ourselves at Gare du Mans
A small group of us are in the city of Le Mans for the 24hr race. Same trains and apartment as last time. We hopped off the train and knew to keep the track on our right. A few minutes later we got to an unfamiliar junction. We realized our mistake. Although keeping the tracks to the right is a good idea, it turns out there is both a north and south exit. Therefore the tracks can be on our right going in both directions. It made me think of all the signals and little tricks we use to navigate life and can still go arwy. In order to have not got confused we should have chosen the additional variable. What else are we certain of that may turn out to be incorrect.
Sharing a favourite leadership book with Arts Council
Take 5
Featuring yours truly:
At a time when the creative industries are being revolutionised by digital transformation, shifting audience dynamics, and evolving funding landscapes, we’ve captured a powerful snapshot of leadership thinking that cuts through the noise.
One pot Curry
1 white onion – cover bottom of pan and cook for at least 15mins
6 whole tomatoes chopped up for 5mins
4 cloves of garlic
Large handful of fresh coriander
2 teaspoons of ginger paste or fresh 4cm
1 tin of coconut milk
1 chicken breast per 3 people covered in tikka masala paste for 1hr in advance
1 tablespoon of masala paste in the main pot
Salt and pepper to taste Cauliflower or chickpeas