RWC Blog

I’m constantly reminded of the importance of “empowering” people. This is the highest order need that each of us has – to “be the best that we’re capable of being” (i.e. self actualisation). I’m also reminded – more than I want to be – most days of the ever-present attempts of organisations to “control” my life. As you may have gathered from reading some of my earlier postings, it troubles me greatly to still see so much emphasis placed on…

I have been greatly inspired today ! This morning I attended a familiarisation session with other parents of Yr 6 pupils at the primary school (Puketapu Primary School) that our daughter attends in Hawke’s Bay. The purpose of this session was to provide parents with the opportunity to see firsthand how this well-regarded school is approaching the delivery of teaching Yr 7 and 8 pupils. What an uplifting experience ! Essentially, two adjoining classrooms (with a sliding door divider in…

Too often I hear grizzling/ moans about individuals/ organisations not being heard. My response to these people is simply, “Did you make the effort to let your views be known ?” or “Did you give your opinion ?” I believe that largely New Zealand is in it’s current position of near economic stagnation due to a few key variables (causation factors), among them: a) Lack of appetite for change. b) Lack of opportunity to innovate. c) Strangulation by rules. d)…

Often in life it’s our behaviours (actions) that speak the loudest about our characters – not our words. Many of us inherently know that in order for ourselves as individuals, the organisations that we belong to/ are involved with, and our country as a whole to enjoy greater prosperity and well-being it is necessary that we elevate our productivity. It is becoming increasingly accepted that improved “collaboration” is a key way to achieve greater productivity.  To understand the extent to…

Firstly, “collaboration” is not a new word or practice…it is in fact a concept that has been around for generations. Sesame Street used to do a brilliant job of demonstrating cooperation and collaboration between individuals.  I believe that the main reasons why the act of collaboration continues to be such a difficult behaviour for people to practice are: a) Egocentricity. b) Introversion – which is being helped along by digital technology. c) The belief that “I know what’s best”. d)…

  I’ve been reading some really inspiring articles published in LinkedIn recently. I am uplifted by the fact that so many people out there are thinking deeply about life and most importantly about how to keep improving human relationships. I think there are a whole lot of us who instinctively know that society overall could be enjoying greater prosperity and well-being through each and every person being willing – and learning and/ or guiding how – to develop stronger and…

  In New Zealand currently, there are more “rules” (legislation/ regulation/ policies) that prevent/ prohibit/ restrict than there are which “enable”. In short, we have become exceptionally proficient at self-imposing limitations and constrictions on our lives. The worrying repercussions of taking such a highly regulated approach to governing people’s lives is that it tends to suppress the urge in people to want to question/ innovate/ create/ explore/ experiment. Particularly if “rules” related to such pursuits come with hefty punishment consequences.…

Many businesses focus the lion’s share of their available time, energy, effort and financial resources on pursuing very defined/ articulated commercial/ financial objectives. While the necessity to achieve and sustain a viable business is well understood, business owners often overlook the development of their workplace culture as being a major contributing factor to realizing financial success. In 2015 I was asked by the Chairperson of the Napier Rotary Club (New Zealand) to present to members on any topic of my…

I’ve led an interesting life to date, mostly due to the extent/ degree to which I’ve influenced/ caused organisations to look at (and question) themselves objectively, to only then determine where improvements could be made to the way they operate. As you may imagine, more often than not, this “push against the flow” has been met with a good amount of resistance most of the time. Why do I persevere with this pursuit of challenging the status quo/ pushing boundaries…

Last year, as a part of delivering the Strategic Marketing course at the Eastern Institute of Technology in Hawke’s Bay I used a well known N.Z. medical franchise to illustrate the difference in customer experience between a “quantity” (throughput) focused medical practice versus that which concentrates more on resolving the client’s health situation than pushing through as many patients per hour as they can. The best outcomes obtainable are always those that stem from an organisation focusing on generating quality…