A Brilliant Gamble

I'm not saying that self-management is the future but it certainly represents an alternative to many of the baked-in issues of the hierarchical organisational structure. In this episode of The Punks in Suits podcast I talk to Alexander Maier, a Managing Director with Saint Gobain who is guiding his organisation towards self-management...putting himself out of the job in the process. He talks about what self-management looks like, some of the questions he and his colleagues are faced with and the personal journey that brought him to this point. A fascinating insight in to the mind of a forward-looking MD that raises lots of interesting questions about how we create organisations that allow people and their ideas to thrive.

I'm not saying that self-management is the future but it certainly represents an alternative to many of the baked-in issues of the hierarchical organisational structure. In this episode of The Punks in Suits podcast I talk to Alexander Maier, a Managing Director with Saint Gobain who is guiding his organisation towards self-management...putting himself out of the job in the process. He talks about what self-management looks like, some of the questions he and his colleagues are faced with and the personal journey that brought him to this point. A fascinating insight in to the mind of a forward-looking MD that raises lots of interesting questions about how we create organisations that allow people and their ideas to thrive.

We are all so busy, right? There's never enough time to do everything. But what if 90% of what we spend our time on isn't making much of a difference? What if we could be spending our time on activity that really moved the dial, that really made an impact in terms of the purpose of our organisation and in terms of what we value in our lives? While this episode doesn't attempt to entirely address that challenge with one simple tool, I do introduce a tool I've developed recently to help me decide what to focus on. You can adapt it to your needs so easily. The upshot is, though, that leadership isn't about making the best of what you've got but about making tough decisions...often about what NOT to do. Please comment and review this podcast, share it with friends and come and see me on instagram (@blairelyspalmer) or talk to me on twitter (@blairepalmer). Thank you and enjoy!

We are all so busy, right? There's never enough time to do everything. But what if 90% of what we spend our time on isn't making much of a difference? What if we could be spending our time on activity that really moved the dial, that really made an impact in terms of the purpose of our organisation and in terms of what we value in our lives? While this episode doesn't attempt to entirely address that challenge with one simple tool, I do introduce a tool I've developed recently to help me decide what to focus on. You can adapt it to your needs so easily. The upshot is, though, that leadership isn't about making the best of what you've got but about making tough decisions...often about what NOT to do. Please comment and review this podcast, share it with friends and come and see me on instagram (@blairelyspalmer) or talk to me on twitter (@blairepalmer). Thank you and enjoy!

I'm often asked why people won't step up and take ownership even when the bosses in the organisation tell them they're empowered. But people can only be empowered to the same extent that you are willing to give away your power. In this episode I talk about standing in different positions in the organisation to see the world a different way, and inviting people in your company to stand where you stand and see what you see. Please contact me on social media with your experiences of leadership and your thoughts about the practices I am talking about. Instagram @blairelyspalmer, twitter @blairepalmer or email [email protected]

I'm often asked why people won't step up and take ownership even when the bosses in the organisation tell them they're empowered. But people can only be empowered to the same extent that you are willing to give away your power. In this episode I talk about standing in different positions in the organisation to see the world a different way, and inviting people in your company to stand where you stand and see what you see. Please contact me on social media with your experiences of leadership and your thoughts about the practices I am talking about. Instagram @blairelyspalmer, twitter @blairepalmer or email [email protected]

I'm delighted that actress, producer and playwright Leandra Ashton was able to talk to me this week. Leandra has always been someone I've admired for her calm, centred approach to life, her massive creativity and her down-to-earth nature alongside her very great talent. In this episode we talk about the moment that Leandra realised she needed to slow her life right, right down and what the past few months have been like as she's explored what true balance actually looks like. This episode is perfect if you, like me, are often fueled by adrenaline, bring huge energy to your work and life and rarely take the opportunity to recover. Leandra speaks about her re-discovery of yoga and about her new philosophy. And she reminds us of something it's easy to forget in this hectic world - the tortoise won the race.

I'm delighted that actress, producer and playwright Leandra Ashton was able to talk to me this week. Leandra has always been someone I've admired for her calm, centred approach to life, her massive creativity and her down-to-earth nature alongside her very great talent. In this episode we talk about the moment that Leandra realised she needed to slow her life right, right down and what the past few months have been like as she's explored what true balance actually looks like. This episode is perfect if you, like me, are often fueled by adrenaline, bring huge energy to your work and life and rarely take the opportunity to recover. Leandra speaks about her re-discovery of yoga and about her new philosophy. And she reminds us of something it's easy to forget in this hectic world - the tortoise won the race.

In this week's Punks in Suits, I start by talking a bit about how the book is coming along (it's tough!) and what it's about. While writing I've changed my mind about the purpose of Purpose. So in this podcast I reveal my current thinking - the relevance of identifying your needs and getting them met, identifying your values and making changes to live in alignment with those, and whether you, as a leader, need to have a purpose. Please remember to share, rate and review the podcast. It's still new and we are trying to get the message out to anyone who wants to think afresh about what leadership really entails. And follow me on Instagram (@blairelyspalmer) and twitter (@blairepalmer). I love getting feedback and ideas for the show plus hearing about your experiences!

In this week's Punks in Suits, I start by talking a bit about how the book is coming along (it's tough!) and what it's about. While writing I've changed my mind about the purpose of Purpose. So in this podcast I reveal my current thinking - the relevance of identifying your needs and getting them met, identifying your values and making changes to live in alignment with those, and whether you, as a leader, need to have a purpose. Please remember to share, rate and review the podcast. It's still new and we are trying to get the message out to anyone who wants to think afresh about what leadership really entails. And follow me on Instagram (@blairelyspalmer) and twitter (@blairepalmer). I love getting feedback and ideas for the show plus hearing about your experiences!