Mark Donovan & Associates – News & Blog Section
Hold up the Mirror…….
As leaders, we need to ‘challenge the perception of ourselves’. When a large gap exists between how we see ourselves and how others see us, this leads to ‘leadership blind spots. This is why feedback from others is so important, it’s like a mirror that allows us to...
read moreAvoiding the Deferred Life Plan
Retirement as a goal or final redemption is flawed for at least one very solid reason. It is based on the assumption that we dislike what we are doing, during the most physically capable years of our lives. This makes about as much sense as saving up sex for old...
read moreBeware of the Ostrich Effect !
When it comes to dealing with underperformance in business many leaders act like the Ostrich. They put their head in the sand hoping the problem will go away. But, if we avoid dealing with the underperformance problem, will it go away? No, it will only get worse and...
read moreAre you landing on your moon?
There has been a lot of media coverage recently about the anniversary of the first landing on the moon. When NASA launches a moon shot, there is more energy expended in the first few minutes just getting the rocket off the launch pad, then it takes to propel the...
read moreThe Importance of One to One’s for driving High Performance and Engagement
To deal with people effectively, we must study their wants, their needs, their motivations on an individual basis. If your key stakeholders feel that you are prepared to work on the relationship with them, ensuring that both sides benefit, then they will give you more...
read moreStop Dealing with the Symptoms and Start Dealing with the Cause.
There is a lot of information and programmes out there today on Wellness, Mindfulness and Corporate Wellbeing. Though these are useful areas to help us deal with the symptoms of pressure and stress, they do not deal with the cause i.e. what is bringing it on. If we...
read moreHave a relentless focus on key priorities!
The reason most of us don’t get what we need to do done is, we lose focus. We complain about not having enough time. But, time is not a resource, time is a priority. We allow ourselves to get distracted. The most successful people have the mindset that ‘if they say...
read moreAvoiding the Ostrich Effect.
I once asked a CEO how many people work in your organisation. He said, “about half”. In every business, there are people who are as committed as a kamikaze pilot on their 25th mission. Too many leaders act like the ostrich when dealing with underperformance. They put...
read moreStop beating yourself up!
Too many of us focus on what we haven’t done, rather than what we have done. When you are beating yourself up about something. Ask yourself, if you would do the same to someone you love for the same ‘offence’. If the answer is ‘no’ and it usually is. Ask yourself, why...
read moreTo be Smart or Not to be Smart
One of the biggest impulses among successful people is our overwhelming need to prove how smart we are. The need to be the smartest person in the room. This often leads to some incredibly stupid behaviour. The time we spend trying to impress others could be spent...
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