Whichever way one looks at it, Paul Henry’s recent comments asking the Prime Minister whether the next Governor-General is going to “look and sound like a New Zealander” are insulting and racist. It falls way below the mark in his role as a TVNZ breakfast host. 

The basic requirement of any job including those in leadership is that we deliver what is expected of that role and take full responsibility for our actions.  When managers, leaders and politicians fail to do this, their leadership including the organization’s culture and ethos are – quite rightly – questioned.

Prejudice and stereotypes invariably blind us. Never mind Sir Anand’s background, calibre and merit in having been an almost perfect fit for the job. He is “culturally different” or more to the point “not white.”  So everything else becomes irrelevant. This is a not a recipe for  building and leading a team, organization or country. (more…)

In times of crisis, how a leader fronts and deals with the situation can either fan an already out of control situation or they can take full responsibility and become part of the solution. Sadly, BP’s CEO – Tony Hayward’s words, behaviour and demeanour have only but fueled the situation.

The BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is a disaster on many levels. And it appears that it could have been avoided. Questions are being asked of the CEO but answers to date have not been forthcoming – answers which could provide a deeper, systemic understanding about what went wrong and why and how best to deal with this major catastrophe. (more…)

We have a measure of choice and control over what we are aware of, but what we are unaware of controls us.
-Sir John Whitmore 

We are more effective in life when we exhibit high levels of self-awareness.  Self-awareness, a critical component of emotional and spiritual intelligence (EQ and SQ) is the building block for success in life.  It enables us to make insightful and sharper decisions and course-correct as we go.  It facilitates improved, authentic relationship within and with others – our boss, colleagues, team members, clients, suppliers, family and friends. 

So how do we harness and develop this core competency in business and our personal lives? (more…)