Category Archives: Process & Tools

Examples of the small wins process, principles & tools

Would young leaders be better off by thinking small?

Leaders are encouraged to think big. They are encouraged to create a big vision and make big changes. But is this the only way? What about the mid-level managers? Or young, future or emerging leaders? They often do not have the opportunity to make these dramatic changes even if they wanted to. So we need a new approach. I call this The Small Wins Way. It encourages young leaders to: – form small teams, – take on small challenges – with small budgets – take small ... Read more

How to become an awesome leader

I think we need a new language to talk about leadership. One that talks to all current and future leaders. Here is my suggestion. Lets try and develop awesome leaders! Here’s how to do this by using the word AWESOME: Achieve results. There are many leadership models which stress various competencies and attributes but sometimes they forget that leadership is primarily about achieving results through and with people. Results count. And so does how the outcomes are achieved but there ... Read more

The Small Wins Way vs Business Improvement

I was just asked by a leader of a large financial organisation: How does The Small Wins way compare to Business Improvement? This is what I said (although in fewer words): How the 2 approaches are similar: Both: - Adopt a continuous journey mindset - Have a formal, semi-structuredprocess - Are important to an organisation’s ability to adapt, change and grow - Value measurement and learning But there are important differences: The Small Wins Way is: - Aimed at developing a higher ... Read more

How to make a small difference – everyday

I recently gave a presentation to a MBA class on the Small Wins Way approach to innovation, change and leadership. I started the conversation by asking them: Could they recall a small change in their life that led to a big difference? Here are some of their reflections: - I started having breakfast each day which that I had more energy throughout the day and I stopped snacking. - I now don’t look at my email for the first hour of my working day. This means that I can do my best ... Read more

How to brainstorm big, new ideas in minutes

I had an insight a few years ago when I was working with managers and leaders. During their planning away-days I noticed that when they were working in a group and had one hour to address a challenge, nothing much happened until I opened the door of their room and said – 10 minutes to go. Then there was a flurry of activity, ideas and energy. In next to no time the group often generated some amazing ideas. I wondered. How much time did an individual or group really needed to start ... Read more

What about a leadership masters competition?

It’s that time of the year when the golf world turns to Augusta for this years Masters Tournament. The best male players in the world compete for this celebrated title. Even the greatest player of his generation Tiger Woods says that he has ‘worked his butt off from sun up to sun down’. This gave me an idea on how to improve the performance of every emerging leader. Perhaps every CEO should consider hosting its own Masters Type Competition for all of its future leaders ... Read more

The power of everyday leadership

Leadership for most people is defined as great men (traditionally) doing great deeds. Fortunately we have expanded our thinking to include the other 50% of the population (i.e. females). As such we have a much broader and better perspective of who leaders are. But perhaps we also need to let go of the great deeds part. To be sure, the Selma March led by Dr Martin Luther King some 50 years ago is a wonderful example of the big, dramatic leadership actions that make us all feel better. But is ... Read more

How one word can change a conversation

I ran a workshop recently with a group of leaders around innovation. One of my key points was that there are two types of innovation in an organisation. The formal e.g. new product development stage gate process And The informal. These are the spontaneous interactions around the coffee pot for example. The problem is that most leaders overemphasise the former and underemphasise the latter. The reason is this. You can never predict when an idea will emerge. Or who will come up with the ... Read more

Is the time right now for leaderful teams?

I was working at a large media organisation this week and one of the corporate leaders mentioned their plans to move people around and also have younger people buddy up with older managers. This was to share and deepen the organisations collective understanding of technology and social media. I know this is a good idea because I often lean on my teenage daughter for help in these areas. Although I do notice she has a short attention span and becomes increasingly frustrated with my lack of ... Read more

How are you improving your performance today?

I was reading a newspaper today and there was a story on Australian swimmer and Olympic Silver medalist James Magnussen. The story highlighted the many small changes he was making to try and achieve a gold medal at the next Olympics. Some of these include: - a change in diet (e.g. more protein) - a shift in coaches - extra gym sessions in his training - taking up Pilates - a new mentor (i.e. Australian head Coach – Alan Thompson) - new mental preparation and - a new personal ... Read more