Wednesday 26 November 2008

I left my wallet in a taxi and got it back!

I left my wallet in a taxi yesterday and got it back. What’s more there was nothing missing out of it. I paid the taxi driver and got out of the cab and retrieved my briefcase from the boot. Then I went to put the receipt in my wallet only to discover I don’t have my wallet. By now the taxi has gone and despite the best efforts of the hotel concierge to chase after it, all to no avail. One concierge guy was brilliant in how quickly he telephoned the taxi company and using the cab registration number on my receipt eventually got onto the driver who returned my wallet intact.

Perhaps I was lucky. Perhaps it is because of the overall honesty of the people in Singapore. Perhaps it was the speed of the concierge. The following things I know. I felt encouraged by the good of humanity, that honesty is the best policy, and that little things make a big difference.

Be remarkable
Ian
strategic advisor to difference makers

Sunday 23 November 2008

Honouring Difference Makers

I am in Singapore today and reading the local paper brought a smile to my face as I read the announcement it's Grandparents day here in Singapore today. This is a great idea. I am not aware of this being celebrated elsewhere. I spent time reflecting on my own Grandparents and even though they are long gone, their great and positive influence is still with me. I also reflected on my own role as a Grandfather and resolved to do more.

We need to honour the Elders in our world more. They are too seldom the unsung difference makers.

Be remarkable
Ian
strategic advisor to difference makers

Friday 14 November 2008

Charter for Compassion - Karen Armstrong

I was inspired by Karen Armstrong’s TED Talk some tme ago. Her passion to create a charter for compassion is equally inspiring. I am sure you will be inspired to! You can view the video here

Be remarkable
Ian
strategic advisor to difference makers

Wednesday 12 November 2008

We all need to occassionally go ‘walkabout’

I very much enjoyed reading an interview with celebrated filmmaker Baz Luhrmann in The Weekend Australian Magazine November 1-2 2008 by Christine Jackman about the film he is making, ‘Australia’, the most expensive Australian film ever made that is due out in a few weeks.

Luhrmann has this to say about ‘walkabout’ an Australian Aboriginal custom. “The thing about walkabout, as I understand it, is that when you lose connection with yourself you go walkabout. You leave your physical world behind and find your other half - the other half of yourself - and you have a good talk until you’re one again, and you go on with the journey of your life. That happened to me in the journey of this film.”

Great filmakers like Luhrmann are a part of the modern day fraternity of bards, that includes writers and speakers. We tell the story of humanity, past, present, and future.

Been ‘walkabout’ lately? Doing so is a part of being a builder of our new world.

Be remarkable
Ian
strategic advisor to difference makers

Wednesday 5 November 2008

“The Audacity of Hope”

Barak Obama’s election as the next President of the United States is a great thing for his country and the rest of the world. In my 17 corporate career I worked primarily for American organisations. In my 17 career since as an advisor to difference makers I have witnessed America slip in general terms from being respected to envied to being somewhere between disrespected and hated. This fall from grace has been a great shame for many great Americans and the world. In Obama and hopefully the team he assembles, for one person is incapable of doing what must be done, we have the possibility of seeing America return to being respected. This will be a great accomplishment for them and the rest of the world.

I have seen and am fortunate to know many great speakers. The hallmark of all great speakers is their authenticity. I think Obama is real. Whether or not he can become such a catalyst for the many changes that are essential to building our new world, that the changes actually happen, remains to be seen. He is leading the world in the equivalent to climbing everest. He can be one of the leaders the world so desperately needs (we need much more than one). Why? He carries within him, perhaps like no one before him, the “audacity of hope”. A new world is being born and she cried out in hope from the depths of her being today.

Be remarkable
Ian
strategic advisor to difference makers

PS John McCain is a great human being too! We have not seen the last of his service to our world.

Monday 3 November 2008

Thriving when most are simply trying to survive

The following was written recently by David McNally CPAE, a speaking colleague and a builder of our new world:

“I took up the challenge of discovering what it means to be a ‘thriver.’ Here are the results of a survey sent to over six hundred organizations asking them to identify the thrivers in their midst and to describe those people in terms of attitudes and behaviors. Here are the key themes that define how ‘thrivers’ think and act:

Survivors Focus On The Future As Uncertain

Thrivers Focus On The Future As Unlimited

1. Thrivers have a global perspective – The competition created by a global economy has become so rigorous that we are participating in what might be described as an Olympics of Business. Thrivers meet these demands by doing whatever it takes to be ready mentally, physically, and emotionally to compete at the highest level.

2. Thrivers take personal responsibility for their own careers and happiness – George Washington’s comment, “If the citizens of the United States should not be free and happy, the fault will be entirely their own,” summarizes the thriver’s philosophy of life. Rather than make excuses, thrivers make commitments.
 
3. Thrivers seek to maximize their contribution –Thrivers have a strong need to contribute, to feel that their work is important. Professionally, they are continually creating opportunities to add value, whilst simultaneously ensuring their work is rewarding and fulfilling.

4. Thrivers appreciate their uniqueness - Thrivers understand that while there is always someone who can do something better than they can, there is always something they can do better than anyone else. Rather than being satisfied just to meet standards, thrivers leverage their gifts, talents, skills and abilities to set the standards.

5. Thrivers work in harmony with others – A powerful lesson of the global economy is this: whereas technology is an incredible tool, people are still the artisans. Thrivers understand that to succeed in multi-cultural environments requires the ability to collaborate with a complex mixture of people whose differences deserve to be honored. Rather than wish for conformity, thrivers value diversity.

6. Thrivers know what matters -  Thriving is not an appearance but an experience. With all of its absurdities and challenges thrivers have learned that life is the only game in town and they are determined to wholeheartedly participate. Thrivers flourish because they are continually learning, contributing, laughing and loving. Whilst the future may be uncertain, thrivers see the future as unlimited.”

There is no doubt in my mind that ‘thrivers’ are new world builders.

Find out more about David McNally here

Be remarkable
Ian
strategic advisor to difference makers