Author Archives: Dr Ken Hudson

Want a big idea? start with a small one

I remember meeting with the CEO of a large international packaged goods brand who spent the entire time imploring his leadership team to come up with a big idea This sounded impressive but when I asked him later in what area he wanted a big idea, he said — it didn’t matter – he just wanted a big idea, any big idea. I also queried how he might recognize a big idea. He answered – we will just know. I have spent a great deal of time in and around marketing departments and ... Read more

How can we make it better?

This is a great question for anyone in or working with a team. How can we make it better? The ‘it’ could be an idea, solution, product, process or course of action. I love it because there is a collaborative aspect — ‘we’. And the question suggests a continuous journey rather than a destination i.e. best. It suggests an openness to the possibility that any solution, idea etc could be made better. There is a humility about this question. In my workshops for ... Read more

Here’s a small wins way to recognise a good job

I met another consultant today who told me about an amazing, small wins leadership practice she witnessed with one of her clients. The leader in question gives her team members a Chupa Chup with a hand-written note when they have done a great job. I love this. It’s fun. Simple. Personal. Timely and Specific. It makes the receiver and the giver feel good — a win -win. Most of all – its a small wins approach to leadership. Leadership is more often about the little things ... Read more

The secret to employee engagement

One of the discoveries of my interest in a small wins approach is the concept of win – win. I noticed in my many examples in this site of successful innovation often involves a win for the customer (e.g. easier, simpler experience) and a win for the brand or business (e.g. increases sales or customer retention). Perhaps the same win – win framework also applies to employee engagement? Many of these types of engagement programs I have seen are skewed one way or the other. There ... Read more

How to lose weight using a small wins approach

I am not a nutritional or health expert. But this is the story of an Australian guy who lost a lot of weight. His name is Gus Worland who happens to be a radio host and TV personality. He also happens to be best mates with Hugh Jackman. When Hugh was last in Australia he apparently said to his mate that he (Gus) was over-weight — and was worried about his health. Gus weighed a mighty 140 kilos at the time. He started on a health and fitness campaign and some 11 months and 30 kilos ... Read more

Do leaders still want to learn?

I find this such an interesting question. I know they need to continue to learn because the world is forever changing. I know they attend courses, conferences and workshops which is evidence of learning. But in my experience I often wonder. If I ask a group of leader who would like to improve their golf game for example. All hands point to the sky. Yet…. I recently gave a talk at an executive MBA class in one of their final subjects. Just before I went out the professor said — ... Read more

Here’s how to celebrate success

Remember the school assembly? Lets admit it – sometimes the experience was a bit boring. But on other occasions it was quite inspiring. These were the occasions that the principal recognised specific individual or team achievements. Perhaps leaders can learn from the school assembly about how to celebrate success? Here are my thoughts: Make it regular. – the assembly was every week – no excuses — every monday morning without fail. It’s public – The school ... Read more

How the simple checklist can make a big difference

I had to have a blood test recently and on the wall was a checklist for the nurse. It outlined in a step by step way what the health practitioner should and should not do. As a patient I also liked seeing the checklist because I knew what to expect. It was a win – win. It was a form of quality control and productivity check all rolled into one. Who have have thought the simple checklist could prove so invaluable for process type work. A checklist is a powerful example of a small ... Read more

What are the 3 key higher performance areas?

The aim of the small wins way is to provide a mechanism for leaders and their teams to drive higher performance. The key word here is higher not high. With higher there is no ceiling. It is a continuous journey of reaching a higher performance level that you are at the moment. Then pausing and stretching to achieve a new level. And so on. Even if this new performance level is an increase by 1%. What I like about this approach is that it is accessible to all leaders and teams. And can ... Read more

A case study in the power of the 1 percent change

John Longmire is the current coach of the Sydney Swans. The Swans are one of the best teams of a unique game called Australian Rules football. After they won the competition he gave a speech where he reflected on why the Swans became premiers. Here are his key points: 1. Its a continuous journey. I quote. It’s crucial to raise the bar every year and even raise it from week to week. 2. The way to do this is via the ‘one percenters’ The “one percenters’’ are the actions that ... Read more