In search of excellence

On average I read a book a week and have done for 40 years. I admit to skimming a lot lately. A few books really grab me.

Normally over the break at this time of year I cherish reading several books, favourites, or something new my wife has given me as a gift. (she is very good at choosing one that's just right for the time)

I haven't yet got to a book these holidays because I came across this series of slides by one of my heroes Tom Peters. I've looked at 1000's of Tom's slides in the past couple of days, most of which I find boring in themselves, yet I'm captivated by the content. Thank You Tom!

Below are some of my favourites

Be remarkable.

Ian

It's corny yet true - real leaders are readers

This time of the year is excellent for getting into (or back into) the habit of reading good books.

Here's my top 21 recommended business books to get you started.

Here's my full recommended list.

Be remarkable.
Ian

PS My favourite books (pictured) are right next to my desk. Where are yours?

PSS I read novels and watch movies too. You?

Fit for the future now

Every modification or change you need or want to make in your personal and business life is only ever one quantum leap away.

As you finalise being ready for making 2016 your best year yet, decide where you want to be, personally, and in your working life at the end of 2016, and then work backwards to the quantum leaps you will take in January, February and March. I find beginning with the end in mind and focusing on 90 days at a time is a great formula for long term success.

As you decide the quantum leaps you're going to take, reflect on where the people you live and work with are at. Maybe better alignment with where others are at should be one of your quantum leaps.

Carefully considering any mismatches, and correcting them, is a key to you being fit for the future now.

The following two screenshots are from Mary Meeker's annual Internet Trends. They highlight mismatches between laws and the current economy, and the views of managers and employees. What mismatches could you eliminate in 2016?

As Daniel Pink rightly asserted there's a mismatch between what science knows and business does. Don't make this mistake in your business. Are you up with the latest scientific discoveries and are you applying them in your own way?

I'm sure you've realised that tomorrow never arrives. There's only ever this moment. You can only ever be fit for the future now. 

These great insights from Eileen McDargh may help you. And if you've not yet devoured Eckhart Tolle's great book 'The Power of Now', start there.

A quantum leap is a shift to a different place. And just like a change of heart or a change of mind, can happen in a moment. 

Of course the impact takes longer. And sometimes our world changes while we're in the air! The good news is that how we respond to what happens to us is mostly our decision.

I wish you well on your journey ahead.

Be remarkable.

Ian

The best way to predict the future is to create it (now).

Abraham Lincoln or Peter Drucker? Brackets mine.

This is my most important daily ritual - what's yours?

Be remarkable.
Ian

Follow effective action with quiet reflection. From the quiet reflection will come even more effective action.
Peter Drucker

Why it's time to forget the pecking order at work

One of my favourite talks by one of my favourite women in leadership today - Margaret Heffernan.



Be remarkable.
Ian

We have enough

Be remarkable.
Ian

Complimentary ebook - Expect More From 2016

I'm thrilled to contribute for the tenth consecutive year to Gihan Perera's ebook.

I have no doubt that inside you'll find at least one great idea to act on that will help you to make 2016 your best year yet.

You can download this ebook here.

Be remarkable.
Ian

The Sharing Economy, Shared-value, and Something Better

The following facts are routinely (almost boringly!) presented today by futurists and others:

- The world's largest retailer (Amazon) doesn’t own a single store.

- The world's largest provider of sleeping rooms (Airbnb) doesn’t own a single hotel.

- The world's largest provider of transportation (Uber) doesn’t own a single car.

- The world's biggest media owner (Facebook) creates no content.

- The world's most valuable retailer (Alibaba) has no inventory.

The above are evidence of 'The Sharing Economy' which is a key component of the new world of work.

At the heart of this new world is shared-value.

I was thrilled when I first read Porter's comment 5 years ago because the idea of shared-value has long been at the heart of my work with my clients and the fundamentals, as I have come to see them, of all remarkable businesses as illustrated below.

…the future face of capitalism, say authors John Gerzema and Michael D’Antonio in their book Spend Shift will be defined by delivering value and values.

We have all seen values displayed on walls and written in annual reports. The failure to live what is said and written is one of the biggest reasons for poor levels of employee and customer engagement, and so defining our values is not just about words, rather it is about defining the actual behaviours, living by them and being accountable.

In my experience when agreed behaviours are measured as part of performance leadership systems not only does greater accountability occur, the corresponding increases in engagement and therefore productivity, mean profound changes in the delivery of value to stakeholders.

None of this happens unless employees feel valued.

In the context of employees feeling valued, living values, delivering value, and sharing and creating shared value, I'll be producing a short and succinct video (less than 5 minutes) every Monday morning in 2016. Then I'll be conducting a People, Process, and Profit Monthly Intensive via web TV that will expand on the videos through candid and convivial conversations based on your questions and input. Through these conversations we'll be co-creating something better together for our personal and business lives.

The above will be complimentary and exclusive to those who register which you can do here.

All will be in the spirt of the following insights attributed to Bruce Lee, and wisdom from one of the great pioneers of leadership development Mary Parker Follett.

I look forward to you joining me on the journey in 2016.

Be remarkable.
Ian

Same letters, different words, strong association

You've probably noticed that listen and silent are made up of the same letters. My thanks to my friend and client Rob Zadow from 360 Private for reminding me of this recently.

For me these two powerful words have strong association and are an awesome combination used by every successful leader I know.

Ordinary leaders rarely ask questions yet give the impression that they have all the answers.

Some leaders asks lots of questions and then confuse other people's answers with their own.

Remarkable leads ask great questions and have the common sense to be silent while listening to people as they give their answers.

Be remarkable.
Ian

Is Your Business at Risk of Disruption? - guest post by Gihan Perera

This is a guest post by my friend and colleague Gihan Perera 

I've had my car for 10 years now, and it's time to get a new car. I mentioned to somebody that this might be the last car I ever buy, and she wondered whether I wasn't expecting to live very long!

Far from it. But I seriously believe this might be the last car I ever buy. Why? Because in another 10 years, we will probably all be using shared self-driving cars rather than owning - or driving - our own car.

This idea might seem inconceivable, especially when you look at how important cars are now in our daily lives.

But that's just our world now, and it will be vastly different ten years from now.

After all, here are six technologies that didn't exist just ten years ago:

If all of that has come into our life in just 10 years, imagine what the next 10 years will bring!

How do you prepare for this future?

In my presentations and consulting work, clients often want to know what's ahead for their industry and their future.

Broadly, the world is becoming "Fast, Flat and Free". In other words:

Everything is moving faster than ever before
We've broken down hierarchies and barriers
Things that used to cost a lot now cost a lot less

If you want to know what could disrupt your business, look at the opposite of Fast, Flat and Free: Slow, Bumpy and Expensive. If you do anything that's slow, bumpy or expensive, beware!

Here are some examples:

1. Slow

Danger words (potential weaknesses): technical, complex, service

If your product or service is technical or complex, computers will be able to do it soon. This is happening in financial planning, where "robo-advice" is a looming threat to the established way of delivering financial advice.

In fact, if it's a service at all, it will first be outsourced, and then possibly even fully automated. We've seen this happen with travel agents, mortgage brokers, customer service, and many other service businesses.

2. Bumpy

Danger words: regulated, licensed, controlled, mandated

These words have protected businesses in the past, but now they are barriers to progress. The taxi industry, of course, is a well-known example. For a long time, it has been heavily regulated and licensed, so it was inevitable that somebody like Uber would come along. In many jurisdictions, Uber's legality is a grey area, but it won't be long before legislation catches up (It's happened already in the ACT).

3. Expensive

Danger words: up-front fees, delayed results, boring

If you provide an expensive service, customers will look for a way to find a more affordable alternative. You might have survived until now because it wasn't easy for them to look elsewhere, but now your competition is just one Google search away. And they are not only doing it cheaper; they are doing it better.

There are many, many examples in healthcare. For example, patients with heart conditions used to have to go to specialists regularly for ECGs and other expensive and intrusive tests. Now, they can use Alivecor: a small device attached to their iPhone that lets them do their own ECG - for about $1 a test.

Could any of this affect your business?

I know some businesses and industries that are sticking their head in the sand, pretending some of these changes won't affect them. But they will!

If you really want to future-proof your business, ask yourself:

"What do we do that's slow, bumpy or expensive?"

Then fix it! Isn't it better to disrupt it yourself rather than wait for a competitor to do it for you?

More great articles from Gihan here.

Be remarkable.
Ian

The Now Page Movement

Derek Sivers knows about movements so when I read his post here I got straight to it and created my own now page here.

Then I emailed Derek and now I'm here with lots of remarkable people.

Check out Twitter too here.

What are you doing now?

Be remarkable.
Ian

Guaranteeing 2016 is your best year yet

A Unique Master-class

On Thursday February 4th 2016 I'm holding a one-of-a-kind in-person master-class. It's for you if want to achieve better business results in 2016 while at the same time improve the quality of your personal life.

Participation will enable you to:

do less but better

lift the capability of your team without reliance on you

follow a proven process in your own way, that means everyone is consistently bringing their very best to their work

Guaranteed High-Impact & High Value

You'll leave this master-class with a simple yet profound 90 day plan that when you execute, you'll guarantee that 2016 is your best year yet.

And, to help you to ensure that insights, inspiration and ideas translate into innovation, you'll have 24/7 access to my unique online resource centre as soon as you register, and for 90 days after the master-class, plus, we'll schedule a 1:1 online mentoring session for you at a time you decide most appropriate within the 90 days. The value of this 1:1 session alone will far exceed your investment.

Ian is a rare gem. In the ever increasing complexity of today’s modern world, Ian is always there - personally as an incredible supporter, encourager and also as a wonderful navigator of possibility.

In addition, Ian has presented for us on a number of occasions at various team events, providing memorable and immediately actionable insights for us to better our personal and business lives.

Peter Merrett Head of Customer Experience Property and Asset Management - Jones Lang LaSalle Australia

In this master-class I'll be sharing my learning from working with more than 1000 leaders, women and men, in over 40 countries since 1991.

My promise is that this master-class with Challenge Your Mind, Warm Your Heart, and inspire you to do what you've never done before.

Based on What's Proven to Work

We'll be going on a special journey together using my tried, tested and proven framework pictured below that is based on my work with salt of the earth leaders who work bloody hard and are always wanting to increase and sustain momentum.

We spoke about your presentation afterwards and the overwhelming view is that it was the best presentation, in terms of style and content, that we have ever had for our group.

Craig Walden, CEO, Australian Public Service Benevolent Society Ltd and Member The CEO Institute

Places for this master-class are limited. You can register here.

I'm holding this master-class in Ballarat, my place of birth as a small yet significant way of celebrating the beginning of my 25th year as a business and strategic adviser/mentor and professional speaker.

I welcome your telephone call to +61 (0) 418 807 898 if you'd like to discuss any aspect of this master-class or the follow-through resources and mentoring package.

Be remarkable.
Ian

As a general rule - leadership is proactive and management reactive

For me leadership is fundamentally about inspiring and influencing people. Therefore leadership is by nature proactive.

Modern management is about processes, policies, procedures, practices, and systems, and whether or not such mean it's simple for people to bring their very best to their actions. Modern management is often reactive because we're making adjustments to how things work after the fact.

To increase momentum in your business improve your leadership.

To maintain momentum improve management.

Be remarkable.

Ian

When beliefs are personal and behaviour universal, success follows

To be human is to flock to belong to places where there's a shared-view or common belief. There'd be no religions, clubs, or movements otherwise. I celebrate this.

To be human at a higher level of consciousness is belonging to places where there's differing views and vigourous debate, yet mutual respect, a valuing of difference, and a willingness to collaborate. I celebrate this more.

The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposing ideas in mind 

at the same time and still retain the ability to function.

F. Scott Fitzgerald

Fitzgerald's insight is a key to successful leadership, in politics, business, and everywhere else.

It mystifies me that we get hung up about other people's opinions and what other people believe or don't. The fact that some people resort to protests, and at worst violence over this, is a sign of their lack of intelligence, and total lack of appreciation of, and gratitude for, what it means to be human.

How amazing that despite the lessons of history, we're still fighting one another in some places and are unwilling to co-exist.

The slippery slope begins when we take offence at someone else's opinion. This mystifies me too. Your opinions are yours not mine, so how can I possibly be offended? Only when I choose to is the answer.

I choose to not be offended regardless of what other people's opinions are and how they're expressed. I have enough trouble being accountable for my own intentions, feelings, thoughts, behaviours, actions, let alone concerning myself with yours!

When beliefs are personal and behaviour universal, success follows

A client of mine is a devout Christian. Another client is a devout Muslim. Yet another client strictly follows what she sees as the Buddhist way. Still another is Jewish to his bootstraps. I could go on.  I know people from most walks of life who strongly believe what they do. I greatly admire each of my clients whether we share beliefs or not.

What we do share is the understanding that belief is personal and behaviour universal.

To collaborate successfully we respect and value the personal. We know that respect is earned and mutual success possible through behaviour.

Central to most belief systems is a faith of some kind.  Faith by definition cannot be proved.  If it could be proved it wouldn’t be faith!  The ‘proof of the pudding is in the eating’ the saying goes, meaning what we do counts for far more than what we believe. As one of the Apostles of the Christian Church is reported to have said, “Faith without works is dead.”

A lot of faiths are dead, dying, or in trouble today because the actions of a few of the faithful betray their stated beliefs.  I meet a lot of people more interested in being right, than being compassionate for example. Compassion for me is at the truthful heart of all the world’s religions. Compassion is not a belief, it's a behaviour.

If we are not living and breathing a compassionate life we render whatever we believe as null and void, regardless of what we say.

A new world is being born.  Compassion is a key component. There is a place for faith in this new world. For me belief is personal and therefore deserving of respect. What really matters in the universe though is behaviour.

Some people have asked me what has compassion go to do with the future success of my business? My answer is - Everything! particularly in a world where being purpose driven and people focused, and seeing technology as an enabler and enhancer of the human experience, is the leading edge.

Be remarkable.
Ian

I'm looking for more people who don't normally talk to me

The clients I mentor are salt of the earth people who work bloody hard. They're highly successful yet always looking to be better.

​But...​ most are reluctant to seek outside help.

​Thats's why generally I only get to meet my clients via referral from people who don't easily refer because they don't want their friends/family/colleagues to know ​that at some point - even months or years earlier - ​they've brought in outside help!​ Can you imagine trying to make it in your own in top flight sport?​ Unthinkable, right? So why would that make sense in your business?

We can all benefit greatly from a fresh pair of eyes taking a look at our business from time to time.

In 'The most important things this chief executive has learned after 20 years running a $200 million business' CEO Garry Browne says: Have a mentor or a confidant you can talk to about absolutely anything from a business perspective. Don’t be shy, because no-one is an island.

Just so you know, I'm reluctant to ask for outside help too.

Yet I'm very glad that I do. Currently I'm being stretched and highly valuing it in working with my mentors Nick Haines and Matthew Newnham.

I'm also highly valuing being in a master-mind group with my colleagues Gihan Perera, Alicia Curtis, and Dr. Jenny Brockis where we're working on being better in the speaking aspects of our businesses.

The Power of "One Great Idea"​

​Over the past few months, I've held "One Great Idea" sessions with a wide variety of inspiring business leaders, and they all tell me how valuable these sessions have been. In fact, typically, they value them in the tens of thousands of dollars. I'd like you to get the same benefit - at zero risk. Here's how...

​We meet online or in person for 1 hour​, off the record​. I guarantee to generate one idea worth at least $5000 to your business. In exchange for that guaranteed $5000 value to your business, my fee for these sessions is just $500, payable in advance. And, to ensure this is totally risk-free for you, I will refund your fee immediately should you feel I didn't provide you with at least $5000 in value. Should we agree to work together in the next 90 days the fee becomes a credit against future work.

To ​find out if this is right for you, or to cut to the chase and ​schedule your "One Great Idea" session​,​ ​just telephone me on +61 418 807 898.

If an off-the-record chat is not for you right now please consider my Monday Morning Momentum and People, Process, and Profit Monthly Intensives. These are complimentary and exclusive for time poor people who register. Find out more and register here.

Be remarkable.
Ian

Six Questions to Increase Employee Engagement

I love the 2 minutes 34 seconds video below from Marshall Goldsmith courtesy of Strategy+Business.

Employee engagement is everyone's personal responsibility.



Be remarkable.
Ian

If you're going through hell

Be remarkable.
Ian

Leadership and Management in The New World of Work

I was privileged this week to work for a day each with two organisations working with people often marginalised in our society - the wonderful Western Region Executive team from the Department of Juvenile Justice in New South Wales, Australia, and the also remarkable Executive team from Gellibrand Support Services who provide support for adults with a range of disabilities including physical and intellectual disabilities as well as acquired brain injuries, in Victoria, Australia.

Below are the slides I selected from (tailored for each of these teams unique circumstances) to focus my presentation and stimulate conversation and action planning.



The topics explored and much more will be part of exclusive content and unique opportunity for human to human connection on offer through a very special initiative commencing 4th January 2016 - Monday Morning Momentum, and People, Process, and Profit Monthly Intensives.

The  good  news  is,  these initiatives are complimentary and exclusively for people who register. They will not be available to anyone anywhere else. 

As soon as you register you'll be able to download my best-selling Changing What's Normal book or an alternative resource should you already have the book.

Once you've registered I'll be in touch to ask you what topics you'd love me to explore from 4th January 2016.

You can get involved by registering here.

Be remarkable.
Ian

Fabulous leaders focus on feelings

As I have written about many times the following standard scenarios are always at play with your change initiatives both before you begin them, and during the implementation:

1) People who feel changes will benefit them embrace change.
2) People feeling unsure about whether changes will benefit them sit on the fence.
3) People who feel change won't benefit them resist change.

The key to each scenario is how people feel about change.

To guarantee you'll succeed in the change/s you lead I highly recommend addressing people's feelings first and always. By doing so you'll avoid the fate described brilliantly by Jack Welch.

Be remarkable.
Ian

Exclusive content and opportunity for unique human to human connection

Choosing what to read, view, and listen to today can feel overwhelming. LinkedIn is now reportedly the largest publishing house on the planet. Then there’s Twitter, YouTube, millions of blogs, and a myriad of other options. I am sure that you, like me, have become very selective.

With the above in mind I’ve decided to reduce the number of my broad offerings here and elsewhere and focus on providing a select group of people with exclusive insights and opportunity for human to human connection.

Introducing Monday Morning Momentum, and People, Process, and Profit Monthly Intensives

Monday Morning Momentum 5 minute digests

Every Monday commencing January 4th 2016, I'll be sharing my discoveries on topics you request. I know your time is precious, so these insights will be succinct: just 5 minutes or less via video.

Each insight will be in the spirit of three concepts I have discovered with my clients are foundational to success: 

less but better, 
creating more leaders in your business, 
and focusing on one quantum leap at a time.

People, Process, and Profit - Monthly Intensives 

Then at the end of each month via live web TV, I’ll present Q&A intensives where we'll explore topics in more detail to assist you in tackling business challenges in your own best way.

You’ll be able to post your questions in advance (anonymously if you wish). This
will feel like a high-value master mind, where we really tackle the key questions that need tackling.

The  good  news  is,  these  Monday  Morning  Momentum, and People, Process, and Profit Intensives are complimentary and exclusively for people who register. They will not be available to anyone anywhere else. (So if you’re competition minded - and who isn’t? - they’ll be a bit of a secret resource for you.)

Find out more and register here. 

As soon as you register you'll be able to download my best-selling Changing What's Normal book or an alternative resource should you already have the book.

Once you've registered I'll be in touch to ask you what topics you'd love me to explore from 4th January 2016.

Best remarkable.
Ian

These 3 are fundamental for remarkable leadership

Purpose, role, and communication skills stand out for me as fundamental for remarkable leadership.

Almost 100 years ago Mary Parker Follett nailed the true purpose of real leadership for me.

Purpose (why, intention, reason) precede role. 

In their great book Bill Conaty and Ram Charan state:

Talent will be the big differentiator between companies that succeed and those that don’t.

I couldn’t agree more.

They also state:

Talent masters understand the subtleties that differentiate people.

Bill Conaty and Ram Charan also state:
The enlightened CEO recognizes that his top priority for the future is building and deploying the talent that will get it there.

Talent is another word for gift. My life’s work is to help business owners and leaders become maestro's of gift/talent enhancement - the number one role of leadership and the key to fulfilling the purpose.

To excel at purpose and role real leaders are forever improving their communication skills. This means a presence 1:1 and in small and large groups.

Great questions to ask yourself and your employees regularly:

Yourself
How can I do better in fulfilling the purpose and number one role of leadership?
What more can I do to be a remarkable communicator 1:1 and in small and large groups?

Ask your employees
What suggestion do your have for me that will enable me to better fulfill the purpose and number one role of leadership?

What suggestion do you have for me that would help me to become a better communicator?

Be remarkable.
Ian

What kind of welcome do I receive at your place?

I met recently with some of the leaders of iconic family business Haymes Paint. We're already known to each other so the sign above wasn't necessary. I appreciated it though.

I don't see such welcome signs much anymore.

A key reason Haymes are iconic and have thrived for 80 years is their unique understanding of the small human actions that make a significant difference.

What kind of welcome do I receive at your place?

Visit Haymes from another country and your flag will be flying! Such care and thoughtfulness is evident everywhere at Haymes.

The investment to be remarkable is often very little. The returns are massive.

The place to begin I reckon is going out of our way to appreciate everyone as the one-of-a-kind human being that each of us is.

When we feel we really matter, we do things that matter.

Be remarkable.
Ian

My personal life is just fine, it's my business life I want back!

I offered complimentary 'I Want My Life Back' clinics via this post and in emails to people on my private mailing lists.

Two things surprised me about the great response:

1) more than 50% of people who booked in their clinic were responding to a forward of the post/email by others with a note from a colleague like "I reckon this would be great for you!"

2) Having now conducted several clinics, 44% of people (while fessing up to challenges in living a vital and fulfilling personal life) are sharing that getting their business life back is their big hurdle.

Unconsciously I may have been onto this considering the image below that I chose for the initial post/email.

3 common themes are evident with this 44%:

1) The 'more with less' mantra is still an expectation from out of touch with reality bosses who haven't yet embraced the wonderful concept of 'less but better'.

2) High achievers are not being rewarded in ways perceived to be commensurate with performance.

3) Many people are struggling to have the candid and convivial conversations essential with employees performing below agreed levels.

Should any of the above be relevant to your situation contact me on +61 418 807 898 to book in your complimentary 'I Want My Life Back or 'I Want My Business Life Back' clinic.

Be remarkable.
Ian

Less but better

I recently added this book to my top 21 recommended business books to read.

You can download the list here and my full recommended reading list here.

A theme of the book and a mantra I encourage all my clients to live by is less but better.

In the diagram below I share some of my other favourites from this book.

It is very easy today to feel the need to be on 24/7.

This book provides many great insights into how to get off the treadmill and lead and live a more vital and fulfilling life, while at the same time achieving better business results.

Be remarkable.
Ian

Less but better with Ian Berry from Ian Berry CSP FAIM

Using tension and hope to lead change

I like the model below courtesy of Bri Williams in this post of hers.

I much prefer lead to drive.

These 3 standard scenarios are always at play with change initiatives:

1) People who feel proposed changes will benefit them embrace change.
2) People feeling unsure about whether changes will benefit them sit on the fence.
3) People who feel change won't benefit them resist change.

The key to each scenario is how people feel about change.

To guarantee you'll succeed in the change/s you lead I highly recommend addressing people's feelings first and always.

Be remarkable.
Ian

Appraisals are fine for things, never for people

I'm delighted to see Accenture, Deloitte, Adobe and others letting go of performance appraisals. The rewards for doing so will be massive.

Performance appraisals are a part of a nasty hangover of the Industrial Revolution where it was believed we could apply what worked for things to people.

Appraisals are fine for houses, cars, jewellery, and things in general, never for people.

Possible Action

If you're still to move on performance appraisals and would like some help please contact me on +61 418 807 898. For 25 years I've been helping people to eliminate them and enjoy the rewards that immediately follow.

By taking this action you will immediately save time, energy, and money, and see improvements in employee engagement.

Be remarkable.
Ian

The one thing Kiwi's and Wallabies didn't have in common

This is a sequel to my post The one thing Kiwi's and Wallabies have in common. You can read it here.

Firstly I congratulate The All Blacks on winning the Rugby World Cup yesterday, the first team to win three, and the first to win back to back (4 years apart).

A long term plan and the willingness and ability to execute it I believe was the key differentiator in the end. 

A year ago the Wallabies were in disarray, so they do deserve credit for going as fas as they did.

With the benefit of hindsight they were unlikely to be able to stay the distance with an All Blacks team (players, coaches, and many others) consciously, carefully, and methodically executing a plan with everyone knowing and owning their role and fulfilling it.

I've always said worry is a wasted emotion. You have to plan for some of these things. We knew we could possibly have someone in the bin at some stage, so it's just a matter of making sure you have everyone knowing what they have to do.
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen as quoted in this article.

The image above featuring Hansen and captain Riche McCaw from Getty suggests to me a calmness about and an ownership of roles.

In my 25 years as a mentor for business owners and leaders the greatest work done by my clients has been:

a willingness to identify the value that needs to be delivered to all stakeholders,
create roles without people in mind that deliver such value,
match people to roles,
and provide people with whatever inspiration, support, encouragement etc etc that is needed for them to fulfill their role.

What lessons can you learn from the All Blacks (and the Wallabies!) and imitate them in your own way for the long term success of your business?

Be remarkable.
Ian

The one thing Kiwi's and Wallabies have in common

The Rugby World Cup final (4 pm GMT Saturday October 31st) will be the first time New Zealand and Australia, both world champions on two occasions, have met in the deciding game.

As an Aussie my allegiance is obvious. We have never minded being the Underdogs. In fact we thrive on it. The All Blacks, who I have great respect for, will be wary of being the favourites.

For the record I expect New Zealand will win because I think the sentiment around this reportedly being the last game for legendary captain Richie McCaw, will give the All Blacks an edge. I won’t be surprised though if Australia wins for the same reason - the All Blacks may just try (no pun intended) too hard.

Regardless of who wins I have observed something both sides have in common that I think is a key to their greatness as it is with all remarkable teams - the coaches genuinely care for their players as people.

Star player David Pocock says the following here about his Wallabies coach Michael Cheika.

“Playing against his Waratahs teams for the Brumbies for a couple of years, I heard lots of stories. Now, I see a different side to him. He demands a lot but he really cares for the players.”

Humility is something I also notice about Michael Cheika.

The same can be said for All Blacks coach Steve Hansen who says in this interview:

“We want to be humble, grateful men and women for being part of it.”

I suspect both these coaches have accepted the challenge of leadership as expressed by Jim Rohn.

Which one stands true to this challenge, particularly when the game is at it’s hottest may well turn out to be game changer.

Be remarkable.

Ian

PS I'm not such a diehard fan that I’ll watch the game live, given 4 pm GMT/London is 2 am my time. I will awake curious to find out not just who won, more importantly who/what were the game-changers?, because in them will be remarkable lessons for leaders.

The universal business model you can adopt immediately to achieve better results

Soon you'll look back on 2015 and recognise it as a good year for your business life. You want 2016 to be better though right?

Likely your dream is to do better with a lot less personal cost to you and other people.

To lighten the load on you and a select few, more people will need to step up their performance next year.

Adopting the business model pictured below in your own way makes this possible.

Fundamental to your success in adopting this model is appreciating people.

The eminent psychologist and philosopher William James famously observed:

The deepest principle of human nature is the craving to be appreciated.

There are many simple and common sense actions you're most likely taking that are expressing your appreciation to your employees. Below are just a few examples. All of them contribute to people feeling more valued.

Catching people doing things right and doing the right thing.
Giving people genuine compliments.
Informally and formally celebrating with people what is going well for them.
Always saying please and thank you and meaning it.
Being courteous and kind.
Sharing stories about the successes of your people.
Being compassionate.

To ensure actions like the above are meaningful to people in the long term in today's remarkable workplaces the following three practices are in place:

1) One page role clarity statements that articulate the value people are accountable to deliver and who to, have replaced detailed job descriptions that often end with "and anything else as directed."

2) One page personal and business development plans that articulate the leaps people will take in the next 90 days have replaced the traditional performance review/appraisal documents and the enormous amount of time and energy taken to complete them.

3) Candid and convivial conversations using the above as focusing tools are integral to daily work.

Possible Action

Should you like some help with adopting this model in your business let's chat.

Initially I provide a complimentary consultation. We'll "meet" online for a virtual coffee. We'll discuss your situation (in the strictest confidence of course) and I'll give you one great idea to move forward.

If we’re a great fit for each other and you’d like to discuss how we could work together going forward, fantastic. On the other hand, if either of us decides we’re not a great fit, no worries – you’ll still get top value from me that you can use straight away.​

And just so you know, I don’t do ‘hard sell'. That’s not what I believe works for effective change, so it would be against my own integrity for me to even go there.

So if that all this sounds like a great fit for you and your situation, let’s chat. Just email me at ian@ianberry.biz or call me on +61 418 807 898 to make arrangements.

Be remarkable.
Ian

Small transitions guarantee desired transformation

Every time a leader agrees to work with me and I with them transformation of something dear to their hearts is at the top of their agenda. It's the nature of our work together.

Before I sign a confirmation of agreement with clients I have stressed that big change won't happen over night and that there is a journey to travel before transformation happens.

Nevertheless expectations are high. There's a tendency to want the change/s to happen quickly. Often there's an expectation of miracles happening in the first week!

I help my clients to keep calm and considered by celebrating with them each time an agreed quantum leap has been taken.

All change is personal first, relationships second, and organisations a distant third, so the early celebrations with clients are often about very small personal wins which of course may not be very visible to everyone.

Once clients become familiar with quantum leaps change gets simpler, because the focus is no longer on the end game (transformation) rather the next jump from here to there (transition).

The resistance to, fear of, and anxiety about change that is ever present in human life is significantly reduced when changes are made one quantum leap at a time. It is also much easier to overcome people's fear of what they may lose by changing, by focusing on the next quantum leap.

Better still it's much easier to help people to gain from changing, one quantum leap at a time.

Are you faced with the need for transformation in your workplace? Think quantum leaps.

Then, carefully map out transition leaps with everyone involved. Celebrate when you take the leaps. The transformation you desire will happen as a consequence of taking the right leaps for you.

Be remarkable.

Ian

Possible Action

Take on my 90 Day Opportunity Program here.  It's a low investment/high return way to start transitioning to where you want to be today.

A simple yet profound way to improve performance

When performance is short of shared expectations/understanding, either a process (or policy, procedure, practice, system) can be improved or people aren't following the process (or policy, procedure, practice, system).

Usually when people aren't following the process (or policy, procedure, practice, system), they either don't understand it, or they don't feel that it's enabling them to bring their very best to their work.

A simple yet profound way to improve performance is to every day be looking at processes, policies, procedures, practices, and systems, and asking: Does this mean it's simple for people to bring their very best to their work? and then taking action accordingly.

Be remarkable.
Ian

What if the future of business is not about technology?

Everywhere you look there's headlines saying The Future of Business Is Technology.

What if it isn't?

All day, every day there's talk of digital revolution and disruption. What if this isn't what really matters?

In her wonderful new book MEANINGFUL: THE STORY OF IDEAS THAT FLY, Bernadette Jiwa says:

... it's not the technology in isolation, particular platforms or specialised functionality that's driving the change; what's driving this new wave of relevance is the humanity of the entrepreneurs and business owners who create the products and user experiences that people love.

I couldn't agree more.

You?

The future of your business is all about your humanity, how you see and treat people. Then you can concern yourself with how technology can help you to enable and enhance the experience you provide for your customers/clients.

Steve Jobs was onto this long ago of course. He said "You've got to start with the customer experience and work backwards to the technology."

Even the industrial revolution giant GE is awake up to the fact that the future of business is not about technology, rather that technology is an enabler and enhancer of the human experience.

There's two short interviews with GE Chairman and CEO Jeff Immelt here and here about this. In the first interview he says "I thought it was all about technology and admit I was wrong."

What will you do next to bring your humanity to your business?

How will you best use technology to enable and enhance the human experience of your customers/clients?

Be remarkable.
Ian

I Want My Life Back

I’m sure that you, like me, are already having conversations with family, friends, and colleagues about the Christmas holidays. And it’s not all rosy in the garden.

This is what I’m hearing:

“I can't wait to be with my wife and kids, I’ve hardly seen them this year and I’m in the doghouse.”

“I’ve been flat out like a lizard drinking, and I need to come up for air.”

“If I don’t have a week off soon, I’m gonna go f’ing crazy. The holidays can’t come quick enough. The money’s been great but life’s been a bit sh.t”

In short, people are saying … their success at work is costing them too much.

As a response to this I’m running a special ‘I Want My Life Back Clinic'. 

This complimentary clinic is on a first come first served basis.

Since I know you’re probably under the pump, this will only be for 30 minutes, and it will totally be worth your time.

We’ll identify who or what isn’t supporting you in achieving the business results and life-style you want.

I’ll help you clarify an action to take to reduce your immediate stress to make sure you can enjoy your time off. And give you analysis of the wider issue to take you out of this situation for good.

These clinics will run throughout November (unless by special arrangement).

Our conversation will be 100% confidential and strictly between you and me.

If you want one of these sessions, just email ian@ianberry.biz and I'll be in touch.

Best remarkable.
Ian

"Communities of human beings or collections of human resources" - you get to decide

Below is one of my favourite insights.

You get to decide which attitude is yours.

What will you do next?

Be remarkable.

Ian

You make your best decisions when you beat bias

The more I overcome these biases, the better decisions I make.

Original source here.

What will you do next?

Be remarkable.
Ian