My Grandad Dennis used to say to me when I was complaining about a hard work week. “earn your Saturday”. I think I have earned this Saturday, I hope you have earned yours also. My aim for these posts that they are two minutes at most. To explore an idea or concept and share itContinue reading “Earn your Saturday: The 2 minute Rule”
Author Archives: NCS
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”
Parenting Lesson: A stumble prevents a fall
“A stumble may prevent a fall” an aphorism I quote often. It speaks to the enduring human spirit of trying and falling and then getting up and trying again. It speaks to the mistake you recently made and how it makes you wiser more stronger for the next time. My eldest child at university fellContinue reading “Parenting Lesson: A stumble prevents a fall”
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”
My favourite travel tip
I know the idea of travel seems like a distant memory but travel will return at some point in someway and this nugget is my ever so secret but priceless travel tip. 2009 I stayed on the 33rd floor of JW Marriot and had an amazing view of Indianapolis City Skyline and the Minor leagueContinue reading “My favourite travel tip”
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”
Learning and growing
We all like the feeling that we know the most about a subject. in a room full of people, It is enticing, its makes you feel good. There is nothing wrong with a desire to know and control your environment. How would you react if I said it is hurting you, it is at leastContinue reading “Learning and growing”
Focus on the goal not the obstacle
I wanted to share a story learned on the muddy fields of 2007-2010. I used to coach Junior football 10 years ago, we used to have penalty spot drills. The parents would say to the kids ‘don’t miss’? What do you think would happen after that advice? I made a point of telling the playersContinue reading “Focus on the goal not the obstacle”
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”
Reading is not slacking
Meetings, team calls and 1:1’s are part of our working day culture and no one questions them on a calendar. What if you saw ‘Read a Book for an hour’ on someone’s calendar what would you think? Reading can change your perspective. This in turn can lead to improved productivity or you and your teamContinue reading “Reading is not slacking”
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!”
No one ever got dumber sharing an idea
I have noticed a selfishness of late, a reluctance to spend time talking about ideas. That is a shame, that is my lifeblood, it’s my passion, I can’t exist without discussion and discourse on ideas. Is it the lack of time, too busy, or you see your ideas as special sauce? I hope that isContinue reading “No one ever got dumber sharing an idea”
[Parenting] The enemy of great is good enough
My kids have grown up now and they are forging their way in the world. It is part of the reasons I am writing this blog to reflect on a life which for 25 years was a whirlwind of life lesson. My kids have always worked and even though they did not need to theyContinue reading “[Parenting] The enemy of great is good enough”
Seeing others perspective
Not sure why I remember this but it just came back to me this morning on hearing someone talking about the problems in our country at the moment with Covid-19. I remember travelling to Scotland over 10 years ago, right up to the Northern most tip of our beautiful island. Where I had driven forContinue reading “Seeing others perspective”
My Podcast Episode; Mentoring
I had the pleasure of appearing on the Grasp.hr Podcast a few weeks ago and the episode just dropped. Click on the link above to listen. I talked about my earliest mentoring experience as a caddy to businessmen at 13, my life at Eli Lilly and my eventual move to Veeva Systems. We discussed theContinue reading “My Podcast Episode; Mentoring”
110%
I can’t abide the term overachiever, It’s not possible for people to rise above their level of competency. We are all in some way under achievers to varying degree. One of my bugbears are sports and business leaders saying a person gave 110 percent. How can that be possible? Coach John Wooden only ever judgedContinue reading “110%”
