I sat with my client June (not her real name) who was a recent external appointment as CEO of a significant engineering company. She was complaining about the silos between the five corporate departments and how they resisted any attempts to open up and deconstruct the silos. “What have you done so far?” I asked. […]
The chief operating officer asked me to have a coffee with him to share an idea with me. I said “Sure and you know I’ll be sending you an invoice if I can be of assistance.” I could sense his smile as he replied “Of course David – not a problem.” We met and soon […]
After leaving command roles in both disciplined (ADF)and semi-disciplined (law-enforcement) areas of government service, I wanted to understand how I could apply what I’ve learned in commerce. I was motivated by the opportunity to earn an income beyond what I could in the public sector. I was younger then and desired my life to be […]
“I’ve done it David!” my client, the CEO of a mid-sized professional service provider, told me, the relief in his voice apparent. “What?” I asked. “I’ve canned our performance management process!” he replied. “Fantastic!” I couldn’t help expressing. “I’ll bet you had no push back on that” I tested. “Well actually I did, but not […]
A prerequisite of effective leadership is the presence of courage. In this VUCA world (volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity) we are witnessing the presence of fear in many of our leaders across the board – fleeing, fighting or frozen. The symptoms are: Much talk, little action – ineffective meetings that lead nowhere. Confused understanding and […]
I observed a monthly meeting of a senior leadership team. Present were the CEO and COO and their 8 direct reports – all general managers. When it came time to report on deliverables, the bulk of the reports explained why their objectives hadn’t yet been met. As the last excuse was delivered the CEO shot […]
I spent over a decade on the frontline of the war on drugs. I have arrested hundreds of addicts; as many street dealers; dozens of principles, both organised and opportunists. I have operated overtly as a task force commander focussed on long term narcotic interdiction and before that, covertly embedding into criminal activity. During all […]
Right now in Western Australia the biggest concern appears to be revenue, according to the feedback I’m getting from my CEO clients. Sales are significantly down. There’s a scarcity of new work. Contractors are being asked to cut costs. Suppliers are being squeezed. There’s a domino effect occurring. Frantic searching for revenue and cost cutting […]
Australia has a number of challenges with the up and coming Generation Z (those currently aged between 18 and 30). Too many are obese, are binge drinkers and drug users, screen addicted, self-absorbed and still dependent upon their ageing parents for accommodation and domestic support. Too many do little for anyone other than themselves. Australia […]
They made me an offer I couldn’t refuse To make the change that would save the firm Become a shareholder’s darling I slashed our costs, cut the workforce Changed this and that Drove the team to breaking point Replaced them when they fell Still we floundered though I knew not why Then the board said […]
