'One click' compilation edition

In my recent post (Here) I refer to my earlier posts titled Lessons I Learned in the Schoolyard. Below is the entire first season.

#10 - Navigate negativity (29 March 2018)

For change to occur, we must learn the truth of the present. There is an inverse correlation to observe. The more negative the truth, the more optimistic the person stating it. (Think about it.) But there are some who equate stating negative subject matter with a negative attitude, to dismiss opinions and suppress the truth. Toxic thinking uses a proposition that relies on manipulation. Authority is found by twisting the slogan like “Stay Away From Negative People” to silence others. Make no mistake, negativity is a serious accusation. Made privately to the teacher, it’s a cheap shot, fired with harmful malice. It’s an implied threat over anyone seeking to find their voice. All I can guess is this: ‘exploring the truth of the present’ might activate negative and dangerous reactions, which should be very carefully navigated. Leadership is important (...today... #metoo ).

(I hope you have enjoyed these posts, exploring the lessons of the past. My next and final post in this series will try to explain why, across the business sector and despite some effort, diverse talent are still leaving. And also answer the question I am often asked: ‘Why have you stayed at PwC for 30 years?’

#9 - Making people smile is a form of communication (28 March 2018)

I was talking (perhaps just a little too much) in class and as my punishment, I had detention. To reiterate the point (and reinforce the punishment), I also had to write a long essay titled “Why I shouldn’t talk in class”. Having exhausted the obvious arguments, I resorted to the truth. So I wrote about how it might help reduce the onset of frown wrinkles on the teacher’s face and accompanying grey hair. I was despatched to the principal’s office. When asked to state the offence, I cautiously handed over said essay and watched nervously as it was read. I noticed an ever-so-slight grin masking the desire to laugh, betraying a serious outlook. At that moment I felt relief. While authority figures are serious, their perspective may sometimes be calibrated with their sense of humour. I received a stern warning, with a smile. Leadership is important.

(Postscript: When I left the principal’s office, I reached out to pick the essay off his desk. The principal grabbed it and said “it's okay, I’ll hold on to this”.)

#8 - Observe clever short kids (28 March 2018)

Being short can mean that you attract bullies and be unfairly dismissed as a future leader. Some short kids decide early in life that it’s “better to die on your feet than to live on your knees”. And some not only survive, they attain - and enjoy - the exercise of power. By watching these amazing individuals, you can learn things sooner, like curiosity and empathy, not to mention some stunning tactics. And that it’s unwise to underestimate or prejudge anyone, especially if you think you’re better simply by reason of being taller and outnumbering them. For some, superior strategies are not optional, they’re about survival with dignity, in the hope that decency will prevail. Respect is hard earned, more so for some than others. Leadership is important.

#7 - Think Big* (27 March 2018)

It’s easy to become absorbed by small matters that have no consequence. Squabbling, reacting to agitation and ‘pay back’ are neither satisfying nor rewarded. To stay focussed on your end outcomes, it helps to think of the big picture. It’s a constructive distraction that can create capacity for grace, in the belief that we can together focus on great things. Like landing on the moon. Thinking big also helps because when you meet a great leader, you may have something to talk about. Seeking out great leaders isn’t merely about finding them. It’s really about engaging with them and demonstrating that you are a person of interest. Leadership is important.

(*Hopeful owners aptly named their horse to reflect their vision. ‘Think Big’ became a two time winner of the Melbourne Cup, in 1974 and 1975. I remember these years, a time of unprecedented change in Australia. A visionary leader, who understood the importance of “promoting opportunity” with the noblest conviction, “to liberate the talents and uplift the horizons of the Australian people”. Four decades later, I remain inspired. Think Big.)

#6 - Beware of slogans (26 March 2018)

Slogans are open to interpretation and can bring out early anti-social tendencies. The easiest targets are those who are effortlessly outnumbered. For example, the slogan: “Work Smart Not Hard” is taken (by some) to authorise attitudes like “you give and I take”. Or “you kick goals and I take the credit”. Or “as long as no-one is looking, do what I can get away with”. Yes, there are better outcomes from self-improvement or genuine teamwork, but many ‘smart’ practices are merely shortcuts that involve taking advantage of others. Constant vigilance is needed if you are outnumbered. Why? Expect a blind eye from the person who decrees the slogan. Because they benefit from ‘smart’ outcomes and can plausibly deny poor behaviour as an unintended consequence. And thereby dismiss those who dare to call out misbehaviour. Leadership is important.

#5 - Defeat indignance with discipline (25 March 2018)

Over the dinner table my father told us we would need to work 10% harder for the same outcome. This can have an unhappy ending. Some will mock and sneer at you. Later, they will protest you leading them, in fear of being worked 10% harder. They think you will seize the chance for ‘pay back’. (Curiously perhaps, this is one of the few moments when the accumulation of ‘trivial’ misbehaviour is acknowledged.) Over time, you realise the importance of being the bigger person, essential when outnumbered. It’s important that those who laugh at you don’t fear you. Stay focussed on the outcomes you seek and later, perhaps, have the last laugh, quietly and in private. Leadership is important.

#4 - Resilience in reserve (24 March 2018)

Resilience is a discrete strength. Build capacity for pain. If you have gold medallist resilience, it’s best a disreet strength. Why?

Firstly, you may find yourself getting more short straws, because it’s ‘convenient’ to keep giving the most difficult challenges to those with abundant resilience. Secondly, if you are a role model, you may unwittingly set a pain benchmark too high for those who follow. They simply don’t see the point in proving superior resilience as a matter of irrational expectation. Thirdly, there are some people who see superior resilience as an opportunity for entertainment, to see just how far they can push you. Those observing sensibly ponder their destiny. You may inadvertently become the lead act of a new problem. (Hopefully, you have some resilience left in the tank to deal with this.)

Resilience is valuable and warrants respect. It’s not transferrable. It’s abuse converts your advantage into disadvantage and reduces the overall resilience of the classroom. Always keep resilience in reserve. Because you’re gonna need it. Leadership is important

#3 - Harness hubris (23 March 2018)

If you are different (and outnumbered), eventually someone will agitate you and incite others to join in. The agitation never crosses the line. The aim is to distract you and wear you down. The antagonist has you in a bind, and may even be kind enough to tell you (just in case you haven’t realised). This is where ‘self incrimination’ is your ally. Show defencelessness, to embolden the key antagonist. Endure patiently, until hubris emerges*. Then, publicly outrage the antagonist. In response, they will insolently strike back and cross the line. Record the evidence. But don’t seek the one thing you can’t get, an apology. Seek something else. (After all, you will still be outnumbered.) Leadership is important.

[*caution: some resilience is required.]

#2 - Replace disinterest with aligned self interest (22 March 2018)

Sometimes you can call out poor behaviour and the teacher will say that they can’t do anything. But they also advise you that if you retaliate, they will act and that YOU will be called out for poor behaviour. What to do? Reframe things, so that the teacher senses that it is in their best interests to attend to poor behaviour fairly*) It’s important, because if poor behaviour (especially if seen as trivial) is permitted or overlooked, some learn that it's not about right and wrong (or decency), but what they can get away with. Leadership is important.

(* How to align good leadership with the self-interest of a leader sometimes requires careful planning and patience.)

#1 -  The importance of leadership (20 March 2018)

1. Poor behaviour should not be ignored.
2. The concealment of poor behaviour does not make it acceptable.
3. That poor behaviour is unintended or accidental does make it acceptable to the recipient of it.
4. That poor behaviour is minor or trivial must be explored in the context of its accumulation, not in isolation.
5. Responding to known poor behaviour only because it has been revealed is not acceptable.
6. The stories of past events will eventually emerge.
7. Leadership is important.

Everything happens for a reason.