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A dial, not a switch Oct 11, 2026 Some dilemmas keep coming back no matter how many times you solve them.
Give me a break Mar 10, 2021 I’ve recently started feeling very odd during the workday.
3 ways to transform your interview from a quiz to a conversation Mar 9, 2021 This is the third and final article in my three-part series aimed at giving you practical advice on how to ace your next interview.
Have you prepared for that job interview? Mar 4, 2021 One of the reasons people are nervous for interviews is because they don’t know what questions they are going to be asked.
How to write an article that ranks on the first page of Google Mar 3, 2021 This week I noticed something interesting when I looked at the traffic logs for my personal website.
Sometimes luck - and what you don't do - can save your life Mar 1, 2021 On Saturday afternoon I almost died.
2020 was like lifting a car off your kids Feb 25, 2021 Imagine your teenage son is working underneath his car.
Raising small children is a terrible and wonderful experience Feb 23, 2021 My daughters are transforming from little girls into little woman before my eyes.
My new contact lenses allowed me to see how fast technology is moving Feb 18, 2021 I recently got new contact lenses.
Your colleagues often face personal challenges you are unaware of Feb 15, 2021 I’ll never forget the day one of my direct reports walked into the office and apologized for being late.
A lesson about candor and kindness from David Greybeard the chimpanzee Feb 12, 2021 My family and I enjoy watching a couple of MasterClass lessons after dinner on weekday evenings.
Why leaders should hack their familiarity loop Feb 10, 2021 I’m currently reading a book that explores the science behind habit creation and reformation.
What you know and isn't true can hurt you Feb 9, 2021 It has been said that what you don’t know can’t hurt you.
Back in the habit Feb 8, 2021 Habit stacking is so freaking powerful.
It’s not flattery if you mean it Sep 10, 2020 This week I reached out to someone I respect and rate highly.
High performers beware: You are likely to run out of virtue before time Sep 9, 2020 Diligence is a powerful word.
Does your mind salivate for headlines in the morning? Sep 4, 2020 I’ve overcome a few addictions in my life.
Donate your unique self to your family and colleagues Sep 3, 2020 I’ve donated blood many times.
Akrasia: When we know what to do but don’t act on it Aug 31, 2020 I love the dad in My Big Fat Greek Wedding.
You don’t need permission to make yourself useful Aug 26, 2020 Make yourself useful.
Leadership lessons from Beethoven and Bolt Aug 25, 2020 During lockdown our family invested in a MasterClass subscription.
Becoming be more aware and less critical of your own thoughts Aug 24, 2020 Many of the people in my life have bravely faced up to everything from depression and anxiety to insomnia and ADHD.
Two books about courage that changed my life Aug 20, 2020 What image does the word COURAGE conjure in your mind?
The most important part of your setup is between your ears Aug 18, 2020 I grabbed a virtual coffee with a young developer recently.
Believing is seeing Aug 14, 2020 We often wish we could do the things that someone else is able to do.
Lessons on perspective from The Little Mermaid and a hit punk song Aug 13, 2020 We’ve been educating our pre-teen daughters on what constituted popular songs back when mom and dad were young.
A maker of good decisions or a good decision maker? Aug 11, 2020 I don’t want to make good decisions.
The biggest room in your house is always the one for improvement Aug 10, 2020 “It’s so easy to think that we were in the dark yesterday but we’re in the light today...
Adapting your defenses to protect your own weaknesses Jul 31, 2020 My own weakness and lack of self control never ceases to amaze.
Failing to adapt makes us complicit in our own stress Jul 22, 2020 I love the song Stressed Out by Twenty One Pilots.
When you can’t see the ball anymore it’s time to bench yourself Jul 17, 2020 Its been a tough week.
Herd immunity, herd mentality and how to beat the odds Jul 16, 2020 We‘re starting to see more and more of our friends, family and colleagues affected by COVID-19 infections.
System setting is better than goal setting Jul 3, 2020 We used to buy cookies and other sweets as part of our groceries.
If you're on the wrong train, every stop is the wrong stop Jun 26, 2020 I’ve been on the wrong train twice.
Willpower is not enough, you need leverage Jun 23, 2020 What do scissors, seesaws and the oars on a boat have in common?
Your heroes are imperfect, now go live your dream Jun 22, 2020 Gandhi was a father to India but disowned his son.
How prepared are you for your next interview or important meeting? Jun 19, 2020 Two of my friends absolutely nailed important interviews recently.
Lessons learned should include principles not just tactics Jun 18, 2020 We recently had a major production incident which took 48 hours to fully resolve.
Do you spend your work days hunting mice? Jun 16, 2020 Lions are fully capable of capturing, killing, and eating field mice.
Finding more “me time” in the midst of modern mayhem Jun 15, 2020 Who doesn’t appreciate a little “me time” every now and then.
What I wish I knew about books 20 years ago Jun 5, 2020 I love books.
From mall rat to human being in just 70 days Jun 1, 2020 I went to the mall yesterday for the first time in 70 days.
Love is the general - Discipline and will are just troops May 25, 2020 Love.
The basics are beautiful and effective May 22, 2020 How many times have you overheard a conversation between two of your favorite authors?
May you live in boring times May 18, 2020 We live in unprecedented times.
Live in a way that makes time your friend May 14, 2020 One of my personal values is to live deliberately.
Get smart - Avoid standard stupidities May 12, 2020 I tried too hard to be clever when I was young.
Are you prepared to win? May 11, 2020 I can be a bit obsessive.
It’s like riding a bike May 8, 2020 You never forget your first time.
Men - Can we talk about depression and anxiety? May 7, 2020 Suicide is the biggest cause of death for men under 35.
History doesn’t repeat itself but it does rhyme May 6, 2020 When your youngest daughter asks over dinner why we should study history, you know you’re about to have a wonderful family conversation.
Roam is the first note taking tool I might use forever Apr 30, 2020 Confession time.
The Tour de Garage - A lockdown half marathon Apr 29, 2020 The pandemic and lockdown has posed many serious questions to society.
Steve Jobs was a wonderful and a terrible leader Apr 24, 2020 If you’ve seen the movies and read the exposés you’ve probably made your mind up about Steve Jobs.
Words are not just the pieces of speaking but of thinking Apr 23, 2020 I received a package from my old friend Serendipity yesterday.
Lockdown: A tale of challenge and blessing in disguise Apr 15, 2020 The lockdown has brought us significant challenges.
I met some friends for a virtual dinner... and I liked it Apr 14, 2020 Last night we had virtual dinner with another couple.
The flexible shall not be broken Apr 9, 2020 I might be crazy, but I’m trying to do 2.5 years of masters coursework in 9 months.
Numerical fluency helps leaders kick ass Apr 6, 2020 Leaders that understand how exponential growth works responded much faster to the coronavirus outbreak.
A problem to solve or a tension to manage? Mar 26, 2020 Sometimes we struggle to solve a leadership problem because it’s not a problem to be solved.
Give the elderly the first hour at grocery stores every morning Mar 17, 2020 80% of COVID-19 fatalities are people over 60.
Done and dusted - Why projects need constraints Feb 20, 2020 Large projects often fail because they turn into shapeless monsters.
What family friendly and flexible working means to parents and children Feb 11, 2020 To many big companies their individual employees are no one.
When something is not your problem but still matters Feb 6, 2020 In business and life there are many things that are neither your responsibility nor your problem, but they make the world better.
A formula you can’t afford to ignore: 1 + 1 = 10 Feb 4, 2020 Why should we invest in partnerships, form teams, join a network, make friends, value family, collaborate and be part of a community?
Christmas tree prices can teach us to think strategically Jan 31, 2020 What happens when you cut back on producing a product that takes a decade to make?
Planes are made for flying, what about you? Jan 30, 2020 The winds of life can be a clue to understanding yourself better.
Your reputation proceeds you Jan 27, 2020 We continually underestimate the power of personal relationships and reputation over formal qualifications and slick CV’s.
Shape your environment because it shapes you Jan 23, 2020 What is easier, changing human nature or changing your environment?
When the entirety of human information is in your pocket Jan 22, 2020 If someone from the 1950’s appeared today, what‘s the most difficult thing to explain to them about life today?
Beyond the latest best seller Jan 20, 2020 It’s a mistake to ignore classic literature and focus too much on the bleeding edge of human knowledge.
Blissful productivity: Where work meets play Jan 15, 2020 Some are lucky enough to let others decide whether they are working or playing because to themselves they always doing both.
How to be smart without being an ass Jan 14, 2020 (noun) Smart ass: A person who is irritating because they behave as if they know everything.
An understanding of human nature is vital Jan 10, 2020 Retailers can teach leaders a lot about the importance of understanding the power of human nature.
The last mile is the least crowded Jan 3, 2020 When you face a difficult but worthwhile challenge, remember that the last mile is usually the least crowded.
What’s the deal with mediation? Dec 31, 2019 Many people misunderstand meditation because they think it has to be spiritual.
How to leave work at 5pm every day Dec 27, 2019 If the key to leaving work at 5pm is not being better at what you do, then how on earth does one do it?
Plans are useless, planning is not Dec 23, 2019 One of life’s great paradoxes is that although plans are often useless, planning is essential.
Time away helps leaders gain fresh perspective Nov 27, 2019 Leaders need proper breaks to make good decisions.
Don’t be a slave to the date on your calendar Nov 25, 2019 You are not Cinderella, so you don't have to be a magical slave to a clock that strikes midnight or the date on your calendar.
Good leaders help people take good breaks Nov 24, 2019 Leaders play a huge role in how people feel about taking time off.
A simple way to review your year Nov 23, 2019 It’s easy to forget.
Trusted, personal recommendations are better than algorithms Nov 22, 2019 To achieve great things we can’t rely on best seller lists and algorithms to provide us with recommendations.
Sometimes it pays to be a strange cat Nov 21, 2019 There are advantages to not just always doing what everyone else is doing.
In praise of praise Nov 19, 2019 Compliments and kindness stand in stark contrast with the negativity that often fills our lives.
Software is eating the world Nov 18, 2019 During the Renaissance you would've encouraged your kids to learn to read and write.
How to regain control of your phone and your life in less than 10 minutes Nov 17, 2019 What can we learn from a former smoker about wrestling back control over our phones?
Podcasts should be the 25th hour of every leader’s day Nov 16, 2019 What would happen if you got to meet and learn from 365 extraordinary new people over the next 12 months?
How you treat people at work matters Nov 13, 2019 How we treat the people at work is way more important than we realize.
The difference between earned and owed respect Nov 12, 2019 Earned Respect is a valid concept, but so is Owed Respect.
Should you fire someone who made a big mess? Oct 30, 2019 Making a big mess can help great people to know what they don’t know.
Inbox Zero Oct 27, 2019 Inbox five doesn’t quite have the same ring to it as inbox zero.
Have your cake without eating it Oct 27, 2019 Can I have this slice of cake?
Never make a thousand decisions when one will do Oct 25, 2019 Can making less decisions instead of more actually be better, or will it lead to inferior performance?
One life to live but many lives to learn from Oct 23, 2019 This week Seth Godin is mentoring me in marketing.
The dangers of copying successful leaders and companies Oct 20, 2019 World War II and Melanesian islanders can teach us important lessons about the dangers of blindly copying successful leaders and companies.
Leadership lessons from the African Bullfrog Oct 16, 2019 Find out what the biggest and baddest frog on the continent can teach leaders about balancing professional and family life.
Do you feel lucky, punk? Oct 13, 2019 Which would you say had more overall good luck, normal companies or those that outperformed the normal ones by a factor of 10+?
No bonus points for difficulty Oct 12, 2019 In life and business we don’t need to be the hero.
Why work overload is overrated Oct 11, 2019 What happens when people have large blocks of uninterrupted time and an environment that encourages focus?
"I Interpret Everything You Say On Who I Know You To Be" Oct 7, 2019 This week a colleague said something about my division in a Slack message.
The Best Non-Fiction Book You've Ever Read Oct 5, 2019 How much would you pay to read the best non-fiction book you’ve ever read?
South Africans making a global impact Oct 5, 2019 I love seeing South Africans make a global impact.
Salaries And Bonuses Sep 29, 2019 I’ve spent a lot of time reading about, talking about and thinking about salaries and bonuses this year.
The Key Is To Start Sep 24, 2019 I accidentally ran 15km yesterday.
There will only ever be one Arsène Wenger Sep 19, 2019 I cried when they announced Arsène Wenger was leaving Arsenal.
a place for every thing and everything in its place Sep 14, 2019 Confession time.
Here are three ways this principle affects my approach to life at work Sep 13, 2019 Today’s bit of inspiration comes from a guy who doesn’t even have a Wikipedia page.
Valuable Insights Gained Through The Eyes Of Others Sep 9, 2019 Last night my kids and I were at Sandton City to help my wife pack up her Fine Art exhibition.
Understanding From The Ground Up Sep 6, 2019 What an interesting week.
What If... Sep 5, 2019 What if you showed up at work and suddenly had significantly more discipline and self control?
Sometimes You have To Swim Upstream Sep 4, 2019 I do enjoy Twitter, but am very particular about who I follow.
Don't compare yourself to others. Compare yourself to prior versions of yourself Aug 31, 2019 Comparison is not a new concept.
DIRECTION OVER SPEED Aug 27, 2019 So far this week we’ve looked at starting and continuing.
The LEGO of ideas Aug 22, 2019 We visited the world’s largest LEGO store in London in December.
Asking questions can be very helpful Aug 21, 2019 Asking questions can be very helpful.
Traf-O-Data Aug 14, 2019 Years before Microsoft was founded, Bill Gates, Paul Allen and Paul Gilbert started a company called Traf-O-Data.
They will never forget how you made them feel Aug 11, 2019 My favorite tweet from last week is by James Clear:
Distilling it to it's simplest form Aug 9, 2019 A few people have recently told me I have a way of making complex things simple.
“Don't believe everything you think." Aug 1, 2019 Someone asked me a really cool question earlier this week.
How important the way we treat people is Jul 22, 2019 A few things have happened at work over the past week or so that reminded me for the millionth time just how important the way we treat people is.
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