Paul Cook's 2014 Resolution: I know what, let’s not include everyone

“I know there is strength in the differences between us. I know there is comfort, where we overlap.” ― Ani DiFranco

Casually trawling the end of year news reports is a tad encouraging to me, of course I’m not the solo investigator implementing the modernist art of reminding the populous what exactly happened in their preceding anno.  You only need to watch media rev up from about November and catch the euphoria of productions such as ‘BBC Sports Personality of the Year’, ‘The Annual Comedy Awards’ (given the Ashes test sometimes confused with each other), soap awards etc.  These prestigious, yet traditional accolades have been around since Morecambe and Wise were our ‘X Factor’ and ‘Strictly’ equivalents and also why we learned to love looking back whilst exclaiming ‘was that only in January!’ or ‘that seemed like years ago!’

More recently however, the yearly reminiscent genre has evolved to become shall we say, slightly more diverse; ‘Scariest Police Chases’, ‘Best Confectionary Marketer’, ‘World’s Strongest Man’, ‘Greatest Movie Mistakes’ and my personal favourite ‘Most Improved Hedge Fund Operator of 2013’.  For this latter, I have a vivid vision of the awards ceremony being conducted in a small but expensive offshore studio and the nominees criteria including 2013 earliest prison release; ’And now ladies and gentlemen we are joined  by Marcus, live by satellite in San Quentin’.

As I mentioned in line one, I am encouraged; encouraged because the decades have gradually become more and more inclusive, wide-ranging, comprehensive, and broad: diversity in action.  This ‘media’ New Year resolution gains momentum to such an extent that we probably would not in 2014 even comprehend the 1976 versions any more than we would understand why songs of Eric and Ernie are motivational.

So why oh why do the hacks make this progress and then shoot themselves in the diversity foot?

 

On 2^nd January this year The Times and other notable publications reported back on the tragic case of Dr (Physics) Kate Stone who, whilst holidaying over Christmas near Fort William Scotland was unexplainably attacked by a full grown male highland stag; this caused Dr Stone to suffer horrific injuries.  Some headlines of this case read thus:

Transgender scientist in hospital after being gored in the throat by stag in horror Highlands attack

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/transgender-scientist-hospital-after-being-2974997

Transgender!  Exploring as deep as I could, it was impossible to find why this word in the strapline was relevant; have they found a transgender phobic member of the Deer family?  Are there warning signs in the paths around this winter retreat?  Look further, not only a transgender, but a transgender scientist!  Which aspect of the PHD thesis attracts this additional honour?  So I think 2014 resolutions should continue in this diverse way, headlines must mention race, religion, sexual orientation, gender and age.  And whether relevant or not.

·         January  36 year old man rescued by RNLI off Coast of Kent

The 6 man crew rescued Mr Goode after he had drifted 1 mile offshore, the daring rescue was carried out by the crew all of which authorities confirmed are heterosexual.

·         March  Scientists repair air cooling leak in Russian built module orbiting international space station

Both Anotov Gresniev and Uri Benetitz confirmed that the training and technical data skill saved many hours of research, they also went on to explain (through an interpreter) that neither of them had contemplated Hinduism at this important time

·         August  6% shift change in western economy over last quarter indicating encouraging signs for growth and employment. 

The G8 financial secretariat released a statement stating that data research indicates that some people are actually men and some are women, the controversial statement also goes on to mention  that all people affected will be either over 70 years of age or not.

2014 here we go.

Bring me sunshine; make sure you include everyone in your business.

Businesses recognise diversity in the workplace as a business strategy that maximises productivity, creativity and loyalty of employees while meeting the needs of their clients or customers.  If a company is only as good as their employees, then it stands to reason that a great deal of energy should be devoted to hiring the most diverse range of individuals.

http://www.zestbusinesscoaching.co.uk/talent_management.php

Zest LLP would like to send its best wishes and a speedy recovery to Dr Kate Stone her family and friends at this difficult time.

Christmas is like Marmite by Paul Cook

In a business sense of course; because who in their fully functional, unaffected by experience,
vibrant mind would not love it? Good will to all (non-gender specific) humans, family gatherings, gifts, cards, bank holidays, excellent food (unless at mum’s house), chestnuts roasting by the open ‘gas safe’ appliance, synthetic tree shapes daubed in erm… things.  Yes ultimately time off from your busy, busy world and ready to regenerate back to post Auld Lang Syne Hogmanay in January fully refreshed; what could possibly go wrong?

Hard to comprehend for all you people who know me but I went to school in the 70’s!  Not in my 70’s although this is feasibly and unequivocally doable according to the Edinburgh News… ‘An Edinburgh man (Dr David Dick) who is believed to be one of Scotland's oldest graduates has received his PhD at the age of 84’.  The poetic descriptors of his achievement do not however mention when he started his studies so it may not be the exceptional accomplishment the strap line indicates.  Just jesting Dr Dick.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-23082335

If you eavesdrop the conversations (when they do occasionally utter recognisable English words) my offspring would have you believe that the 1970’s was just after World War 2!  Honestly it wasn’t, although in the grand scheme of global development it is merely a speck of time.  I have carried out some PhD research and made Christmas comparisons between decade 1970 and decade 2013 based on the Gregorian calendar since the previous one was hijacked by the Romans who, because it was their turn to be in charge of the world, decided in the name of god(s), to add two more months to the year, it was however, only officially adopted in 1582 by Pope Gregory.  Therefore:-

Calculating what should have been; his eminence owes me 2 x months per year x 431 years = 862 months: 862/12 = 71.83 years, thus the current year should be 1942.  PhD done easy and I’m only 51 Dr Dick.  Further to this extensive study I have discovered that in my Christmas schooldays one huge difference between then and now; Candy Crush Saga did not exist.  Recourse to similar strategic challenges was to be found at the Wednesday afternoon chess club mostly populated by pupils who didn’t want to be involved in a fascist version of ‘British Bulldog’ thinly veiled as PE, usually played in sub-zero temperatures and always victor ludorum Andrew Kent 6ft and shaving at the age of 10.

Subsequently (in my own mind) I became quite proficient at the ancient art (of chess) but sadly lost touch with it when I got into my full time sensible life and career.  Recently I took up the game again and lacking time, and or willing opponents, I now ironically find myself contesting with a computer on my smart phone.  Said computer has a built in programme recognising its adversary’s weakness and adjusts accordingly which leaves one in the catch 22 world of constant improvement whilst never quite winning!

And this is why this scenario is exactly like Christmas because on January 1st 1989 (Gregorian 1921), I saw one of my old colleagues (Sergeant Barry Fitzgerald) filling in his diary with shift patterns for the coming year.  ‘What are you doing Barry?’ I enquired.  ‘Writing nights, earlys, lates, nights, earlys, lates, nights, earlys, lates, scratch, scratch, scratch; year after year after year I do this’ he replied and then added, ‘and do you know what Paul, it got me thinking; my life is like a board game only I always seem to be playing against someone who is slightly better than me!’

Just realised that less months in each year equals more years, dammit, this PhD could take me until I’m 97.

I love marmite.

My wife hates it.

Checkmate.

Every Silver Lining has a Cloud by Paul Cook

1984: ‘As they round the third and penultimate lap the lead runner quietly and gently moves across the arena and allows Sebastian Coe through for his all-important moment of glory; years of sinew stretched training, hour upon hour of regulated self-disciplined drill, planning, observing, and marking the competition.  This is it; he crosses the line, glimpses at the crowd and basks in his merited glory leading to a future of success in everything upon which he lays his hands.’

1992:  ‘The highly tuned and beautifully engineered Mercedes AMG thrust to all extremes of its energy efficient tarmac hugging superstructure manoeuvres determinately across the red hot tarmac track, dragged behind it a stream of sleek low slung pursuers eager to take up pole and fame; at bend 13 AMG respectfully bows out waves to his champion; Nigel Mansell accepts the nod guns, the F1 and strikes through the remainder of the race to become the new world champion applauded for years thereafter.’

At this point I am tempted to stop and continue a new career as a sports writer for which I have always had a secret ambition (feedback to Zest inbox please), however the reason I think I wax lyrical about Nigel Mansell, Seb Coe and could have done so for many others is simply because the thought of such success always charges me up to motivation level 10; you see it’s all in the language.  To stand alongside someone or a group of people and radiate motivational, forward, positive thoughts is vitally important and I guess that the majority of humanity get that.  And I select the word majority as there are always exceptions; I mean who in their right mind would want another person to think anything other than positively?  Who would want self-doubt to creep into a talented soul?  What would make you want your employees to believe anything other than a progressive future?  

Then I thought about a few recent personally observed illustrations.  My good friend and golfing partner Steve who recently told me I wasn’t getting any younger!  A young mum telling her agile and dextrously confident son not to look down ‘cos it really hurts if you fall!  A senior manager explaining to his team that the 3 year strategy probably won’t work but they’ve had instructions to give it a go!  The careers advisor impressing on the 13 year girl old that she might as well be realistic!

All these comments may have honourable intentions (apart from you Steve), so what about the formula for success?  My brilliant colleagues at Zest like to think of this as towards language.  State your intentions in the positive, identify and remove any limiting beliefs, look at all your options, clarify your goals, identify what resources/skills/training you need, take your first positive step. Coaching to high performance.

http://www.zestbusinesscoaching.co.uk/executive_business_coaching.php

Oh, and back to Seb Coe, Nigel Mansell et al.  You may care to add; these people are brilliant at what they do and passionate about the end result; everyone in the world will have a brilliance within them in whatever world they are in; finding it and developing it is the skill.  What was missing from my earlier striking narrative (plug sports commentary skills) is the pace runner standing aside, the pace car moving over and both at exactly the right time for the champion to finalise that victory.  This is what excellence is in coaching; we are your pace runner and pace car; that is our passion.

I have changed my mind about sports writing, I’m not getting any younger you know.

“Sometimes you climb out of bed in the morning and you think, I'm not going to make it, but you laugh inside — remembering all the times you've felt that way.” ― Charles Bukowski

Emotional Intelligence and War and Peace

Want to understand Emotional Intelligence? Read War and Peace.

IQ = Intelligence quotient.  The ability to complete a task based on information you have.

EQ = Emotional quotient.  The skills most needed to survive as a human being, experience life to the full and be highly positively impactive on those around you.

‘Prince Vasili always spoke languidly, like an actor repeating a stale part.  Anna Pavlovna Scherer on the contrary, despite her 40 years, overflowed with animation and impulsiveness.  To be an enthusiast had become her social vocation and, sometimes even when she did not feel like it, she became enthusiastic in order not to disappoint the expectations of those who knew her.’ 

So is set the scene at the audacious Russian royal court in Leo Tolstoy’s epic and colossal novel ‘War and Peace’.  If my English teacher (hope she isn’t reading this somewhere) set the task, in 500 words or less explain Tolstoy’s understanding of how the main characters primed themselves for war with France?  Answer Prince Vasili wasn’t bothered and Anna Pavlovna Scherer pretended everything was alright, the end.  (Sorry Mrs Cameron).  In slight digression to this and as the novel moves on it retains little surprise that Napoleon Bonaparte wasn’t a man to be trifled with or trusted, so being overly underwhelmed or overly enthusiastic may not have been the best leadership formula.  What (I believe) the reality of Tolstoy’s work had unwittingly uncovered was that strong Emotional Intelligence (EQ) is the greatest asset in leadership in any era and Anna displays it magnificently; she was enthusiastic even when she did not feel like it and in order not to disappoint others.

This trait in leaders is stark throughout history and is prevalent in todays’ greatest.  Emotional Intelligence is the ability to recognise and understand one’s own emotions and their effect on others, how to manage those feelings and add to your general happiness and well-being.  Emotion is often referred to as coming from the heart, the signal received by the brain from the heart is the most powerful signal in the body.  The electro-magnetic field produced by the heart is five thousand times greater in strength than the field generated by the brain.

It therefore translates that the happier we are the more effective we become; place that into a business environment and observe:

 

·         Changes in performance
·         Reduction in recruitment
·         Increase in talent
·         Inclusion, innovation and creativity
·         Excellent customer service and feedback
·         Lower stress/ sickness/absenteeism
·         And beyond
 

If only we could measure someone’s emotional intelligence before we recruit them, promote them, delegate to them etc. and yes of course we can.  What is your recruitment cost?  If you could save 10% what does it look like now?  No, the reality is not 10%, it is at least 70% if you profile your candidates properly, what does that look like now?  And then some, because what are the re training costs?  Customer re engagement costs?  You can identify the most emotionally suited people to your organisation in any circumstances.  Or, let’s ask Tolstoy if everyone in your business wanted to be there, was happy to be there and was optimistic about the future; what would that look like?

http://www.zestbusinesscoaching.co.uk/emotional_intelligence_profiling.php

Here is another essential time saving device.  War and Peace has 1,400 pages and over 560,000 words.  Below is my précis:

The French invaded Russia, five Russian families tell the story, eventually Bonaparte was kicked out because it was too cold and they wrote an overture to celebrate.  Move on we’ve got some excellent people to recruit.

If IQ is the technical, then EQ is the edge. 

“The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant.  We have created a society that honours the servant and has forgotten the gift.”

Albert Einstein (1879-1955)

Idioms of the Economy by Paul Cook

As we cartwheel joyfully into the business autumn and let the joys of summer slip gracefully into our warm memories I can’t help but wonder at the latest round of political narrative.  The coalition returned early from summer recess in order to save the world (voted against it) and then moved on to some real encouraging noises about the economy; well they eventually did but first had to discuss the burning question as to whether badgers are responsible.

Really listen to what they (MPs) say and you will discover that you really can’t really listen to what they say!  In Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) parlance they use vague or fuzzy language or the art of ‘Deliberately Vague’.  This is based on research carried out by Milton Erickson, a famous therapist.  The full results known as the ‘Milton Model’, captures the skill and positive use of ambiguities, imbedded commands, implied causation, mind reading, generalisations etc.  You may recognise some of this stuff if you look at your horoscope for the week.  Vague, fuzzy, unclear, but ultimately designed to let you make up your own conclusions and fit it to your own world! In October 1992 at the Conservative Party Conference John Major said ‘’In the name of the present and future we cannot sit this one out’’.  What name?  Which present?  Which future?  Sit what out?

So the vague approach to the description of the economy is strategically on the agenda and described by our leaders in a manner fit for Mystic Meg.  ‘The tide is turning’, ‘growth is again around the corner’, ‘Europe is once more reaching out’, ‘the seeds of recovery’, ‘you will meet a dark stranger’; idioms of economy.  But the reality is your own and owned by you; where are you now? Where do you want to be?  How can you achieve this?  Who can work with you?  The housing market may have achieved growth of 1.34%; this may or may not be useful if you are in the industry of ice cream selling.  The formula you need may be different, but the point is that there is one and you can find it with a little help.

http://www.zestbusinesscoaching.co.uk/team_business_coaching.php

Idioms have been around for hundreds of years and used to apply descriptors for people situations and business.  For example ‘stuck between a rock and a hard place’, ‘barking up the wrong tree’, ‘don’t bite off more than you can chew’ et al.  These now need a 2013 makeover and I am pleased to announce the Zest Business Coaching grand launch of ‘effective idioms for a modern business’ (stay with it)

• A bird in the hand is not better than two in the bush provided the two are strategically placed in your global network
• You can lead a horse to water and make it drink providing you hand the reigns to a qualified sales negotiator
• Drastic times call for embedded business continuity and robust delivery plans
• When in Rome, build rapport
• The bigger they are the more potential there is for building great relationships
• Do count your chickens before they hatch to maximise projected opportunities
• Do look a gift horse in the mouth, remember what happened to sub prime
• Too many cooks spoil the reality that you have plenty of skilled resources

‘The government’s view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: if it moves tax it.  If it keeps moving, regulate it.  If it stops moving subsidise it’.                                     Ronald Regan

The Great British Culture by Paul Cook

If you believe you really don’t have much to look forward to then just make it up! Last week I noticed with the realisation and trepidation of an over-protective dad that my 12 (going on 26) year old daughter had emblazoned a rather interesting tattoo on her left wrist. Utilising my finely tuned investigative and interview technique I pressed for an instant confession.  Thankfully the resultant fact finding revealed said moniker was in marker pen only and soon to fade; what was however a little cloudier was the tattoo itself that of a wristwatch displaying GMT 5 past 3 p.m.  ‘Why?’ I enquired, ‘Because it’s always going home time’ was her poignant retort.  Incidentally, this is the same young lady who when aged 4, and told she had put her shoes on the wrong feet, replied ‘but these are the only feet I’ve got’.  So at a glance and a bit of contrivance, instantly, something to look forward to. 

 

And so our industrious British culture this year has indeed drawn its own tattoo.  To make something true in business, all we have to employ is the phrase, ‘according to statistics’  We (according to statistics) have had the best summer for 25 years; we leapt into 2013 with all the glory of multi gold Olympics, the best organised (according to statistics) since Hercules threw his dinner plate across a field, Andy Murray, the British Lions, The Ashes, house prices up, economic growth, Chris Froome, Bradley Wiggins, unemployment down, international investment in, shares up, washing out, smiley faces, sun shining, new King. 

 

All in all fuelled completely and utterly by our British culture; one which is developed and maintained from the moment we have a conscious thought.  The one and only location such optimism in a philosophy can spring is derived from how we experience the truest of all Blighty’s upbringings.  From the moment we can remember to the time we depart this coil.  The cruel sea of hopes dashed, promises disappointed again and again, forethought and meticulous planning only to be destroyed by outside influence.  Yes, from this we have built our culture of resilience, stamina, resolve; a mentality other countries can only dream of.  Prolonged winters, economic down turns and sporting frustrations pale into insignificance compared to the great British BBQ. 

 

One minute of a solar breakthrough and we suddenly become gods of the bric burnt menu.  Outside we pursue with joyous revelation proclaiming the benefits of this magnificent nation.  Never to be ousted by the outside chance of inclement weather. 

 

For the first time this year I gingerly removed the lid from my trusty, if rather modest, metallic garden BBQ set and peered inside.  Before my very eyes a very interesting culture indeed which had clearly evolved over time and based its survival on the remains of last year’s fleshy deposits.  How should one deal with such alien forms ready for the festivities?  Then the rain did it for me. 

‘Kettle’s on, fancy a take away?’ called my lovely wife. 

Maybe next year. 

 

We all had something to look forward to 2012 into 2013 and I’m unsure of how we created our own wristwatch, but it happened.  Have a great summer.

What If? by Paul Cook

Who was Edward De Bono?

Edward de Bono

Physician born 1933

Edward de Bono is a Maltese physician, author, inventor and consultant.  He originated the term lateral thinking and wrote the book Six Thinking Hats.

For those of you who are proponents of the ‘The hats’, you will know that it is a model of effective systems thinking that increases productivity.  There are six metaphorical hats and each defines a certain type of thinking.

You can put on or take off one of these hats to indicate the type of thinking you are using but must only use that style of thinking.

Thus

 

This putting on and taking off is essential, because it allows you to switch from one type of thinking to another.  Notwithstanding the truly magnificent effect of a Zest facilitation of this model, the question we (at Zest) are commonly challenged with is ‘do we actually have to wear the hats?’

Superman didn’t actually have to wear the audacious letter S on his pristine blue apparel; in fact, he doesn’t need a costume at all; however it does tend to add a certain authenticity and belief when one is travelling faster than a speeding locomotive or rescuing citizens from a burning building.  If he tried either of these super tasks dressed as Clark Kent, the punters may not feel so safe.  Actually wearing the hats gets your team into innovative super mode.

Accordingly, now look at the above chart for the theme of the day; as we discuss emergency and contingency planning for your business known as the what if? THE BLACK HAT.

Imagine if De Bono theory had been used in some past emergency and contingency planning for these infamous pre-businesses.  And let’s apply the black hat.

BUSINESS	HAT COLOUR FOR PLANNING TEAM	THINKING
Enron	Black	What if the CEO and execs aren’t telling the truth?
White Star Liners	Black	What if the ships can’t take a direct hit from an iceberg?
DeLoreon Motor Co	Black	What if we moved production away from the centre of a war zone?
Sony Betamax	Black	Could there be anything else on the market that is better, faster, more value?
Polaroid	Etc
Woolworths	Etc
British Leyland	Etc

And so on to ancient history and a shining example of the greatest business contingency and emergency planning of all time.

The year is AD 79, the people lived in a well-planned, well protected carefully architectured environment.  The emperor presided over his many teams and plans were regularly laid and discussed; sea defence systems, strengthened well trained armies, crop rotation and supply for sustained use, economic contingency for unseen competition, carefully monitored currency trading, health planning and above all, democratic reasoning and inclusion of views from the community.  Yes this was a civilisation prepared for anything, they consistently applied the ‘what if?’  And then a man in a black hat appeared and said ‘what if that big mountain behind us suddenly explodes?’

As Mount Vesuvius poured down on Pompeii the emperor must have wondered ‘where is superman?’

Probably getting changed…