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 yourselfContinue reading “Comfortable feeling uncomfortable”
Author Archives: NCS
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. ExecutionContinue reading “Execution matters most”
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 IContinue reading “Avoid stupid”
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 deservesContinue reading “Your name is your currency”
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 nextContinue reading “The glide; Monday morning”
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 andContinue reading “Take your time”
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 theContinue reading “Are you a thermometer or a thermostat leader”
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 whenContinue reading “My Grandad’s life advice”
Parenting; with no instructions
My son Xander was born 25 years ago. I was 20 years old when he was born. My wife Melanie and I arrived home after the most careful drive ever. I put the baby down in his crib and I saw the new computer I had purchased a few days earlier. That computer build wasContinue reading “Parenting; with no instructions”
Marshmallow anyone?
Every so often there is a study, article or report which feels so correct when we read it we trust it without challening the data. It states a truth we believe in and now we have validation. Case in point: The marshmallow test at Stanford University. Small kids sit in a room and offered aContinue reading “Marshmallow anyone?”
Learning from rain
Staying at the beach this weekend and it rained in biblical proportions last night. It caught me by surprise and I was left stranded at the beach hut with a short walk to go to get to our holiday home. Determined to get home as dry as possible I began to run along the seasideContinue reading “Learning from rain”
Got to do, get to do
I had some great questions on my blog this week. Someone asked if posting every day is hard to do or a burden. I considered it for a while and then replied “reflecting on a subject of interest. Writing a thoughtful post that is easy enough to be read and understood in 2 minutes orContinue reading “Got to do, get to do”
Better prepared Zoom meetings
Many of us are on more calls now. Not all calls are as prepared as they can be. The phrase, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression,” is spot on. We can get a huge advantage if we start off on the right foot. When a person is prepared, they thinkContinue reading “Better prepared Zoom meetings”
If Content Is King Then Story Is The Emperor
Writing a brief thoughtful post in this blog everyday is fun. The posts that resonated most all mentioned or contained an element of a story. The best stories have been personal experiences or stories relayed from a point of view. That invites others to share in it with us. I have applied this to myContinue reading “If Content Is King Then Story Is The Emperor”
Walking to think
I have been walking a lot recently, walking to think, walking to get healthier, just walking anywhere with whoever will walk with me. I observed something that happened when I was walking with different people and I thought it had only been me who noticed this. What I noticed was that, I walked with tallContinue reading “Walking to think”
Beautiful prose
My Saturday posts are traditionally where I share a more personal story, something that reveals a bit more than I would on a week day. I have two loves beyond my family. 1. The written Language in all its forms but good old fashioned books are my fave. 2. The ocean, I love being near,Continue reading “Beautiful prose”
Social Dilemma
2020 we can all agree is best forgotten but I am pleased with one thing. I have removed myself from social media and now since last month have not visited certain online news sites either. I read the guardian in paper form or iPad and if I go online it would be the BBC. IfContinue reading “Social Dilemma”
Hanlon’s Razor found on the beach
Who would have knew I would find Hanlon’s Razor on the beach this weekend. I am joking of course, Hanlon’s Razor is a mental model but learning this has helped me understand better some of the insensitivities you see around everyday life and for sure you see them at the beach also. Put most simply,Continue reading “Hanlon’s Razor found on the beach”
Two thieves both called regret
Saturday morning down the beach hut is a day of reflection for me, a day I look back and try and see the week just passed at arms length. It is important to learn and try and improve but also not to beat yourself up too much. Regrets for the week past on events andContinue reading “Two thieves both called regret”
Your experience is just that, yours!
How many shops and stores do you have close to you? I was on a zoom call with a colleague the other day and we were talking about a new bit of tech which we both liked. I suggested to my colleague could go buy it at weekend. I then learned that where they liveContinue reading “Your experience is just that, yours!”
Sea's The Day 