Hello, I’m NCS.
This is where I think out loud, mostly from the little yellow beach hut I built on Lancing beach. Notes on reading, work, life and lighthouses, written when something is worth writing down. More about me.
Latest from the collection
Lighthouse stamps and postcards, and the stories behind them. See all the postcards and stamps.
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Comfortable feeling uncomfortable
If you are thinking about doing something different, don’t let the fear of failure keep you where you are. In order to grow we must be uncomfortable feeling comfortable, discontent being content, if you have been successful in one discipline, role or project its human nature to look to replicate those victories. However ask yourself… Read more
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Execution matters most
Discussing ideas, meeting with smart people and bouncing off of each other is engerising. Ideas are the kindling of progress but they are not progress, the most important ingredient is ‘great execution’. It is in doing the work and putting the idea in the world. Making that idea a reality needs industriousness and effort. Execution… Read more
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Avoid stupid
Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger are are my investor heroes. They are also close to my heart as they read all the time. They are super smart sage old dudes that happen to run a behemoth of a hedge fund. So naturally you would think that they have some smart advice to share. When I… Read more
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Your name is your currency
Think about your favourite brands, Apple, Range Rover, Patek Philippe. What words or phrases spring to mind? “Luxury” “quality” and “premium?” Those positive associations are called branding. Branding isn’t just for companies, you have a brand too. When people see or hear your name, they make associations also. Building your name is important it deserves… Read more
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The glide; Monday morning
The first part of a swim is the glide. One of the most important things to do in swimming is to learn ‘the glide’. This is the commitment on the wall of the pool as you start your swim training. One moment, you’re standing still, at the side able to breathe freely, and the next… Read more
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Take your time
The industry of consulting has all sorts of ways to make a client think they know everything. My favourite is when they ask a question with a question. The expectation is that they have paid for consultant and so they should know almost everything and I guess people don’t like to disappoint. Every now and… Read more
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Are you a thermometer or a thermostat leader
I was sitting in the living room earlier this year watching reviews of ‘Home Tech’ and it described the evolution of governing the home temperature as technology progressed. I really think there are parallels of how a modern house is now environmentally managed and how we need to manage our organisations. A thermometer; reflects the… Read more
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My Grandad’s life advice
My grandad started as machinery worker at 16 in a Med device company. After WWII he returned and then made steady progress all the way to General Manager. The factory workers loved him for his honesty, fairness and the genuine love he showed for his people. He used to take me to the factory when… Read more
