There is a joke that goes something like: A few days ago I learnt what confirmation bias meant. Now I see it everywhere OK maybe I stick to writing. Where was I? Oh yes, I have always felt people are more comfortable to feel a person was born with certain talents. They are comforted thatContinue reading “Confirmation bias”
Author Archives: NCS
Desirable ends with available means
I have been in strategy for nearly three years now and it is the most interesting business area I have worked in. It has tested me more than any other role and still three years on I am learning things daily. ‘STRATEGY’ is however the most misused word I can recall, except maybe the wordContinue reading “Desirable ends with available means”
Freedom or meaning
A book recommendation and a profound passage in the book is my subject for today to consider and reflect on. Swing Time by Zadie Smith is a story about friendship and music and stubborn roots, it is about how we are shaped by these things and how we can survive them. I enjoyed White TeethContinue reading “Freedom or meaning”
A rising tide lifts all boats
It seems some days there is not even enough time to manage your own workload without the idea of helping another but that is what I am suggesting you do this week. Reach out to someone and ask them how you can help them, helping can be as little as listening and offering advice. HowContinue reading “A rising tide lifts all boats”
When people talk, listen completely. Most people never listen
My grandad Dennis use to say to me’ Nathan, God gave you two ears and one tongue so that you may listen twice as much as you talk. I later learned that he was repeating the words of Diogenes, first written in the lives of eminent philosophers. In a way though my grandad was myContinue reading “When people talk, listen completely. Most people never listen”
Variation in nature; vs modern life’s repetition
I had a week off at the end of the summer. I spent the time at home walking, reading, laughing and relaxing. I spent more time with nature than I had in a long time. Walking and sitting and observing nature. No day was the same that week. I felt great that week. I returnedContinue reading “Variation in nature; vs modern life’s repetition”
Three types of people
Xander (my 25 year old son) and I are at finals day. Or more accurately we are in a Hilton about to head off to Edgbaston to watch the cricket. All week I have been talking to folks about finals day and many will wish you luck or good wishes. So while I wait forContinue reading “Three types of people”
Don’t be stupid, 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 “Don’t be stupid, Stupid!”
Getting ones house in order
Melanie and I got the house cleaned this weekend. We payed for a ‘cherry picker’ truck to block off our house and clean our house exterior. It was a beautiful UK September day and the company we contracted blocked off the corner and jet washed the whole house. Taking off years of water and dirtContinue reading “Getting ones house in order”
September; Honing an essential skill
There is a skill not taught in regular business courses that is crucial to success. There is a skill your company highly values you for but won’t always know how to recognise it. This skill is going to be more and more important as we gravitate to higher value adding roles in the era ofContinue reading “September; Honing an essential skill”
Railway stations & loved ones
Melanie and I were already at the beach for the weekend when Natty our daughter decided to come down and stay with us. She was going to be on the 10:36 Sunday morning train from Victoria to Brighton, and we could not have been more happy to see her. We waited for her at theContinue reading “Railway stations & loved ones”
The Hundred; A great day out
More of a diary form today folks. I am not spending a ton of time proof reading it so if this is not your thing you can skip today’s post. OK, if you are still here then here goes…. I am on PTO for a few days and miraculously coincided with some great weather inContinue reading “The Hundred; A great day out”
Team first, always !
Each person must feel valued. From the personal assistant to the VP. When they understand that they are contributing members of the team and that their role has value, then the magic is possible. In my soccer coaching days I shook things up with not having a starter and substitute culture culture but ‘A ONEContinue reading “Team first, always !”
Teaching mantra; a lesson to use in all learning
I am doing a number of courses with an architect urban sketcher called Liz Steel. She has a mantra for her courses and I love what it says, I wanted to share here as an example of how we can all think about all learning, enjoy: We share but don’t compare We have confidence inContinue reading “Teaching mantra; a lesson to use in all learning”
Life: Yours to spend how you wish
Your time is your own. You know how to make the most of it. It might feel like life is a tumult of obligations but for most you that read this the pressure is a privilege. Life is a gift, full of mystery and beauty. Make your Saturday a masterpiece. I drew this sketch sittingContinue reading “Life: Yours to spend how you wish”
❌✅❌❌🌧 🌧❌🌧❌✅✅✅✅✅
My HAMPSHIRE Hawks Cricket team charged to an astonishing six-wicket victory with 42 balls to spare over Glamorgan at the Ageas Bowl to qualify for the Vitality Blast quarter-finals. The Hawks started the day sitting in sixth place on the South Group table, needing to chase down fourth-placed Surrey’s run-rate to have any chance ofContinue reading “❌✅❌❌🌧 🌧❌🌧❌✅✅✅✅✅”
The dog, the porch and a nail
One morning, a man was walking down a country lane and heard a horrible noise. He looked up and saw a dog on a porch that was just sitting there, whimpering, whining and moaning. The man was curious as to why he was whimpering, so he went and knocked on the door and a guyContinue reading “The dog, the porch and a nail”
Learn by doing & Quantity has it’s own quality
I am spending just 30 minutes a day on learning to draw and sketch. I am not looking for perfection, I am looking for gradual improvements. I am looking for learning from errors. In it’s own way quantity will have therefore it’s own quality. Let me illustrate with a story I found in a selfContinue reading “Learn by doing & Quantity has it’s own quality”
Success is subtraction not addition
As you get older and try and remain still relevant you are asked to do more coaching and buddy up with new young and energetic professionals as some kind of mentor or advisor. The question I get asked most often is: “What do I need to be successful” OR “What more do I need toContinue reading “Success is subtraction not addition”
Ask dont tell
Have you ever purchased anything in an elevator? Nope, me neither. Yet the business world loves the idea of the the elevator pitch. Don’t get me wrong knowing a plain, simple way to describe your business idea, Or what’s new in release 21r3 for instance is needed. But far more interesting to me is whatContinue reading “Ask dont tell”
Sea's The Day 