UNWRAPPING JOY

Holiday about to start. Closed the day, the year, a big chapter in anticipation of upcoming ones, ran last-minute Christmas errands, and, finally back home, I am saving this window of time today for a special moment of reflection.

Some of our remote collaborations over these past two years did bring us close. Each of us discovered that we are able to build trust across borders and teams in most unexpected ways.

One lesson during this pandemic was how to find creative ways to support each other within smaller or larger communities. I am fortunate to have had many allies willing to exchange thoughts, co-create and do our best work together, people open to learning and helping others learn.

Richard is one of these allies I value tremendously. Joining a learning program for operational managers co-created with Harvard Business Publishing Corporate Learning, Richard found time on top of his busy schedule to go through an intense four-stage development journey in order to certify as program facilitator, delivered program sessions locally and globally, and also generously gave back to our global facilitator community.

You can imagine my excitement when Richard happily agreed to share his thoughts on the journey so far, and shine a light on shared personal purpose and the reflective pauses that must be taken along the way to enjoy the ride.

I have been waiting for this reflective pause with an eager heart, like a child who knows there is a present set aside, waiting to be unwrapped at just the right time. The joy of that moment. The rustle of the unwrapping. The big surprise. Here it is, the end-of-year exchange with Richard. A welcome time of reflection for us all to enjoy.

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Alina Beckles: As a scientist drawn to the human side of organizations, who combines the analytic view of a techie with the interpersonal approach of HR, you bring together two leadership sides in a unique blend.

First, the personal resilience of a high-altitude climber and freestyle diver rolled into one exploratory mind. Second, the interpersonal side – through coaching, storytelling and collaboration.

One of our colleagues recently described you as “warm syrup poured over pancakes.” I would like to know what metaphor you would choose to describe your journey to who you are today.

Richard Barton: Did someone really say that? How kind! Like everyone, I’ve had advantages and disadvantages in life, problems and opportunities along the way. It’s left me with a determined belief in people: that, on the whole, you can and should trust their abilities and intentions. In general, they don’t need to be over-managed or over-governed; they need support, coaching, encouragement and reassurance. That’s the attraction of L&D – helping people achieve their potential, as others have helped me. So you want a metaphor for all that? I visited Berlin in 1989, when people were climbing over that terrible wall, chipping away at it and bringing it down. What I do is nowhere near as magnificent as that, but I’d like to think there’s some analogy there, on a much smaller scale.

Alina: During our cooperation on the Connected Manager program, you have shown mastery in both listening and telling stories, which is why so many of us in our community have relished each virtual encounter, in particular the four Skill Boosters that you designed for us in 2021.

Before going into the finer details of the Skill Boosters, I would like to learn more about the trajectory of your varied interests over the years. Also, curious to know your thoughts on how diverse backgrounds can contribute to creating grounded, self-aware people that everyone wants to work with and even learn from.

Please share with us some of the transferrable skills that you have picked up on your professional journey, and any lessons that surprised you along the way.?

Richard: All these things you say I have mastered, they are all learned skills. I haven’t always had them. I was interested in science – I still am – so studied physics at university. I was never going to be a great physicist but a grounding in science gives a helpful perspective when deciding how much credence to give to ideas and opinions, especially in the age of social media and political polarization. When I entered the world of work, I became interested in the human side of organizations. I got an early opportunity to take a people management role, during which I took HR qualifications.

Learning has to be a two-way process – that’s a big part of the appeal. Learning from people with different assumptions, values, world views, backgrounds etc. We are more diverse than stupid stereotypes suggest. Learning from others gives glimpses into our blind spots – our own cultural norms and assumptions are otherwise invisible to us. There’s no such thing as a self-aware person as there is always more to discover – you’re either still seeking more or you’ve stopped, perhaps flattering yourself that you ‘have’ self awareness. The least self-aware people are those who judge others as lacking self-awareness rather than continually challenging themselves. That’s the main transferrable skill really – keep learning. Keep challenging yourself more than you judge other people.

Alina: Everyone who discovers or revisits your videos on key business skills on your YouTube channel launched in 2011 is in for a surprise. The videos you created are simply timeless. They stand true today as much as on the day of their first broadcast. I am eager to know more about what brought you there, and your process – or secret sauce – behind the videos.

As a subscriber myself, it is easier to grasp the benefit of your work at the receiving end, but I have to ask: what’s in it for you when it comes to using YouTube the way you do?

Richard: I’ve always believed that training is only learning when it is applied. So, in my years of running training courses, I’ve always been interested in the specific points that people found helpful outside the training course. I found that, in many core areas of skill, there were a number of tips & techniques that kept cropping up. When we moved to this wonderful world of having abundant learning resources at our fingertips, I decided to concentrate these core tips & techniques into little videos. 100,000 views later, people still watch them.

Alina: The power of repetition applies. Always good to return to the reminders that matter - video or audio, written or spoken.

Such a privilege to join your Skill Boosters on four key topics: Learning Barriers, Poor Performers, Feedback, and Counselling. An opportunity to thank you once again for generously facilitating these sessions for our Connected Manager facilitator community in 2021.

In addition to everything you have shared with us already about your video-making experience, how does this link with the four Skill Boosters, and why focus on those particular topics?

Richard: I’ve found there are certain topics where certain proven ideas are helpful to a good number of people. Of my YouTube videos, Counselling Skills is the most popular. Learning Barriers is most relevant to the University community. The other two were some where I think I had something original to say.

Alina: I would like to weave in two important topics and get your view as to where and how they might best fit within our lives – both personal and professional.

First, what are your thoughts on the importance of well-being?

Second, please share your thoughts on the concept of intellectual humility and how we can crack the humility code in ourselves, our leaders, and the people around us. How we can move from “know-it-all” to “learn-it-all” individuals, and stay curious a little bit longer, as Michael Bungay Stanier recommends. Intellectual humility is a special interest embraced by many of us, including Connected Manager Facilitator Jennifer Paylor.?

Richard: We all know that well-being is important, but what are we doing about it? Like everyone, I have had ups and downs with health. I do a bit of walking, watch what I eat and make time to rest without being obsessive about it.

I like the idea of Intellectual Humility. Of all the Learning Barriers, the belief that “I have nothing more to learn” is a tough one because it’s not really the true barrier. It’s just a mask for an anxiety such as “I’m scared of the idea that I don’t know it all already” or “I need to feel intellectually superior because, deep down, I have doubts.”?

Alina: On our Dec 17 2021 MasterClass with Janani D’Silva, another brilliant Connected Manager facilitator, she described one way to get in touch with who we are by using the Japanese concept of Ikigai.

?(Iki means “alive” or “life,” and?gai “benefit” or “worth.” They combine to mean that which gives your life worth, meaning, or purpose.)

Where would you trace your “raison d’etre” or Ikigai?

Richard: This diagram looks like the secret of life, if only it was as easy to solve as it is to draw. I would say that you don’t necessarily find the center with just one thing, the ideal job. Sometimes you find the center through your life combination. I’ve worked for many years and at the same time helped to bring up four children who are now gainfully employed adults. I was a Scout Leader for many years – I am proud of my Ten Year Service Award from the Scout Association. Neither of these endeavors bring in any pay. I also do some writing, which brings in a tiny amount. Between all these things, I think I’ve been lucky enough to occupy most parts of the diagram, not just the center.

Alina: We often hear and read about the benefits of bringing our whole selves to work. Considering your work – as multifaceted as it is, an infinite game for Simon Sinek – and the wealth of skills you have developed over decades, what would your advice be for professionals on their way to shaping their purpose?

?Richard: Try things out. Experiment. Volunteer for projects. See what gives you the fizz, and steer towards that. Expect it to change over your working life, and allow it to.

?Alina: Following in the tradition of Paul Hermelin, if you were to recommend one book for us to explore this holiday, what would that be?

Richard: I’m a big fan of Charles Dickens. I live in Canterbury, where much of the story of David Copperfield takes place. So at this time of year, especially for those of us who believe in human development, there’s really only one choice of book: A Christmas Carol, of course.

Alina: Thank you. As we wrap up 2021, hit reset and take some rest before we gear towards 2022, I would like to wish you and everyone we have been working with a wonderful winter holiday and a New Year with lots of health and boundless creativity!

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