We're all just people - so what matters...

Check out one of my all-time fave Cathedrals in the world, above. It's the Alexander Nevsky in Sofia - a fantastic architectural discovery I found while sightseeing in Bulgaria in down time when I was over there working. Dashes of magnificence like this, always get me thinking about the "history" - what's gone before, if these walls could talk etc. but more often than not, these kind of buildings/places make me think, "what's it all about and what actually MATTERS in work and in life..."

From a professional perspective (Judge Judy & Oprah will take care of the "personal" with way more charisma than I) here's my #inspiration for 2017 on what matters. It's by no means definitive but it's where my head is and where it always seems to revert to:

1.  Inspiration - see previous post. There's no life or anything without it. In or out of work. We all need some inspiration in whatever form it takes. It buoys us, replenishes us and is the catalyst that literally takes us from one place to another. The coolest thing about #inspiration - it’s contagious in the right way, if and when you inspire others, it takes on a whole new level of power and results. End of story. Its life blood :)

2.  Collaboration - this is another one to be devoted to. Don't get me wrong, I love my quiet time, I even reflect with a little Enya in the background. We all need our space but from a team perspective I enjoy collaborating because it's there you see the range of ideas different people pull together and INSPIRE in each other. As a People Manager - when you step back and watch that happening, it's a tremendous thing to see. Your people, lost in ideas and working collectively to deliver an output. If they do that, you've done a big part of your job because you've got the right people and nurtured the freedom to collaborate and work in the best way.

3.  The A - a well-respected industry mentor of mine, recently told me about a gent called Benjamin Zander who in a nutshell when teaching found his students were so focused on making the grade, they became blinkered on the grade, rather than the actual content of what they needed to study. Maybe something we've all been guilty of? What did Mr Zander do? He gave them all an "A" then and there by way of saying, you got what you wanted, NOW focus on the important stuff, the content and what we have to study. What did this do? It calmed them down and gave them the immediate focus to crack on with the curriculum with minimal distractions. I then learned that giving people an "A" works at work too. You get what you look for, right? So when you look for someone to short change you (because history tells you they will and have) or that someone has a bias against you - it reveals itself, because - I repeat: you get what you look for!! When you give someone that "A" and essentially the esteem and belief that they'll do right by you, a lot of the time - that's what you get. Sceptical? Let me tell you, I was. And then some. But I trusted my mentor and frankly, when I started giving people "A's" - I genuinely saw things I'd not seen from them before and I also created a more mental zen like place, in my mind with those people in the work context. IT WORKS beautiful people. For more info take a look at: https://benjaminzander.com/ and all credit to my very own Sinead Healy - thank you, once again :)

4.  'Cos you got to have friends - it's just SCIENCE! You need one, just one friend at work, a go-to person. You'll need that trusted partner in crime who gets where you're coming from, when no one else does and is a trusted soundboard when the pressure valve gets too much. Unfortunately, these kind of people also go on holiday (seems fair) so more than one, is recommended. We recently ran a survey here at our company and over 75% of our colleagues stated that they had a good friend at work. I repeat - what's not to love. I have them too and I am grateful, every single day. No one is an island...

5.  Lastly, owning it and apologizing - because this is life and we interact with humans and no one except Jake Gyllenhaal & my exquisite mother are "perfect" - so there are times when I will advise, sing and scream "own it" or "just own it". We have to be accountable for our actions - doesn't mean we always get things right. It’s not about perfection. Ever. Imperfections are always WAY more interesting. You know this is the truth! So it's one thing to stand by the choices you make and "own it" we're adults and we can more or less cross the road on our own BUT the fundamental win in owning it, is being able to say, instantly and at any point - "I'm sorry, I got it wrong..." Shaky territory am sure, BUT if you've ever been slighted or offended, you know what a difference that apology makes and at work, as in life - we should be about making the difference, to ourselves and each other. There's clearly enough madness going on in the world and without being #soapboxsadie I think we're better off neutralizing it rather than adding to it. It's pretty incredible what an apology can do to the recipient and how it frees up he/she who apologizes, but you've all seen Judge Rinder, so you know this. My point - stand by and own it, be ready and genuine to apologize when you need to. We spend a lot of time at work...

Thank you for navigating your way through these rambles. Final word to Buddha, #whatmatters :

#wisewords