The party leaders have been criss crossing the country for the last few weeks lobbying, promoting, debating their parties policies. The behaviours they display are, most likely, a combination of their own authentic and preferred style combined with those behaviours encouraged by PR advisers and communication consultants.

Business leaders seeking a crash-course in ‘how-to’ and ‘how-not-to’ display the characteristics of leadership could learn much over the next seven days. The only caveat, filter out the agenda of the media source and the way in which the events are reported and make up your own mind.

A final note: diarise two months from today to compare your feelings today with the outcomes that have resulted. How do they differ? This is  the real and probably more worthwhile learning point. Exercise your self-development mandate.
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A century ago, ships set sail from this Wharf, delivering their cargo to all points of the globe. As you can see the dock has frozen-over.

This image is a metaphor for business conversations we’ve experienced over the last week. Things seem to be on hold; budgets are frozen, investment is halted, marketing and development plans suspended. Whether this is due to post holiday season inertia, pre-election hesitance, impending fiscal year-end or some other reason is any one’s guess.

Until the metaphorical and meteorological thaw sets in, it may be prudent to revise business plans for the ensuing flood. After all, we know from experience, when the snow and ice melt, the water has to go somewhere. Happy planning.
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As the undisputed number one in any organisation, whether: a government, incorporated company, or even an entrepreneur start-up, you occupy an enviable position.

The same too applies to the animal kingdom. Spare a thought for this poor chap. The Great White Shark is an apex predator  in the sea, probably going about his business (deluded as it transpires) that he was the number one, until…reality check.

Imagine how big and powerful the shark that inflicted these wounds is.

Corporate big-fish would do well to take note.

photo source: Daily Telegraph
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On reflection, if the work you are tasked with, does not fit with your own values, no amount of coaching, counseling or medication will dull the pain. Leave it to those who are happy to ‘carry-out-orders’; choose instead to follow your own path.

The three part series reflects a much more realistic picture of business in the UK it seems most of the problems affecting the six featured businesses were caused by ‘people issues,’ in my experience this holds true for most organisations.

The dynamics which affect how we ‘get-along’ with each other, communicating and interacting together is without doubt the single most important and difficult aspect to get right in any organisation. This is not some idealistic wish list, but basic common sense.

So, the sixty four thousand dollar question, how to achieve this cooperative utopia? Let’s start by making expectations explicit, consistently maintaining standards and crucially, having positive role models from the ‘top of the organisation.’ How can business leaders justify paying an employee bonus and at the same time award themselves one?

A leader can’t lead without followers, people will choose to follow those who they trust and respect!