Heights, Hearts & Hollows

Day 22 (Thursday 22nd December 2016)

22% of cetaceans (as illustrated by 29 sperm whales stranded on shores around the North Sea in January
2016, all found to have plastic in their stomachs), 44% of all seabirds, all sea turtles and an
increasing list of fish species have been recorded as having plastic in or around their bodies. But Nature is beginning to fight back - Japanese scientists have discovered a bacterium that has evolved since
the 1940s, when plastics were invented, and can now break down PET (polyethylene terephthalate).

I am delighted to welcome you to today's blog, it's author, Ed Griffin, is the Head of HR for the Global Network of the British Council. I first met Ed when he was teaching people how to be HR professionals when he was an Associate at Roffey Park - if I have any admirable HR skills they are primarily down to Ed. He certainly inspired a group of us to think strategically and to consult before introducing change (he now practices what he preached and leads by example).

Ed is a truly delightful, highly intelligent man. He lives and works according to his values and is a devoted partner, father, friend (and dog owner). He cares about the world and, being highly principled, strives to make it a better place than as he has found it. He has a great sense of humour and enviable patience. Many people have commented to me that Ed inspires trust. He is recognised as being one of the world's leading experts in organisational development - he co-authored the acclaimed book on the subject: "A Field Guide for Organisation Development: Taking Theory into Practice". Ed loves the countryside and could be described as a natural field guide, as well as the creator of a book that guides businesses. Ed lives in East Sussex and work in London (although his current role demands considerable overseas travel. You can connect with him on Twitter, his handle is @EdjGriffin. 

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Heights, Hearts & Hollows

“We can't have the happiness of yesterday without the pain of today. That's the deal.”

Joy Gresham in Shadowlands, 1993

When the message came from Kate asking for contributors for this year’s Advent Blog series, I was keen to see what the theme was. When I first read it I wasn’t sure what to make of it and I struggled to think of what I could bring. Over the course of several days I kept coming back to the theme, and then I was reminded of a line from one of our favourite films, Shadowlands.  This was the dramatization of the story of C S Lewis’ tragically short relationship and marriage with Joy Gresham. For me the quote at the top of the page brought together the three elements of this year’s theme. Experience continues to reinforce for me the idea that to live life to the full I have to be prepared to accept that the heights, hearts and hollows are a job lot.

Just over 7 years ago we got Maibel, our much loved Springer Spaniel. I’d never had a dog before and we took the plunge of going for a full-on working dog. That meant a huge appetite for exercise and a need to train really well. We went through some ups and downs in the first few years as we struggled to get to grips with her energy levels. There were times when we worried we wouldn’t be able to cope. She then became my companion for cross-country running and there was an absolute joy for me of heading across fields and through woods with her setting the pace ahead of me. I realised early on that having a dog had the potential for being something more than just having an ordinary pet. It was also always clear that a dog has relatively short life.

As she’s got older, we’ve all become deeply attached to Maibel. This summer we had a real scare on holiday when she unexpectedly developed pneumonia and we thought we were going to lose her. We were all in pieces and it seemed a miracle that she survived. It really brought it home to us both how much we care and how tenuous the hold on life can be. I’ve had to give up running and now our time together may be crashed out on the sofa!



This post wasn’t meant to be in praise of dogs (although it does praise them!); it’s meant to be a general reflection on how you can’t really feel the heat of the flame without the possibility also of getting burnt. Logic may tell us that the hurt of loss or disappointment can be hard to get over, but without it life has no contrast and we risk living in a state of anodyne safety. I think that’s a denial of what it can really mean to be human.

What lets us know the heights is also knowing the hollows; it’s the contrast that lets us really know how good something is. Logic may tell us that to commit with our heart may lead to hurt, but without taking the plunge we may never know the potential heights.

The great thing about life is that we have the constant possibility of Heights and Hollows, and without both life would be pretty dull. Just remind yourself from time to time to give your heart. Whether, that’s at work, in relationships or other aspects of life as it what’s makes us really live and experience life to the full.

Don’t Get Stuck, Take a Walk! - Day 21

Day 21

21 - the total number of spots on a standard die

Photo depicts dice from ancient Pompeii - same design as now

Dice are the oldest gaming implements known to man.

Originally people used knucklebones (even today the Arabic for knucklebone is the same as die)

Ed Griffin, HR leader, recognised expert, progressive thinker, acclaimed author, inspirational speaker and all-round great guy is the writer of today's post. I first met Ed when he was a leading academic, specialising in strategic HR at Roffey Park. He was one of the few who has tried to rub off some of my very rough edges and taught me how to achieve results within the corporate world. We have remained friends and, over the years, have seen each other's lives change and careers progress. Reading Ed's post I think I should introduce him to the founders of Street Wisdom. Ed is not very active of Twitter, but you can follow him via @EdjGriffin. I know that he has a very exciting year ahead.

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When Kate told me the theme of this year’s Advent Blogs was Paths & Perceptions, I was immediately interested and particularly drawn to writing something about “paths”. “Paths” prompted two responses in me; one was to think of the the metaphors that paths represent, the other was the simple pleasure of walking. Paths have a particular allure for me - a feeling of setting out on an adventure or being set free. I also realise that paths are a frequent themes in the photos I take. In this short piece I’ve decided to be greedy and explore both the metaphorical and literal meanings for me of Paths.

I was lucky to have a father who introduced me to the countryside at an early age and, with it, a sense of adventure in going walking. By the time I reached university, we would go off to walk in the Lake District and elsewhere. Part of the joy was the anticipation that came from pouring over a map looking for an interesting and challenging route. When it came to the actual walk, our choice of route could often change because of the weather, our way-finding skills or another path simply seemed more appealing. There was nothing quite like following a path that you could see and disappearing into low cloud and the uncertainty of what was to follow. And then at the end of a good day’s walking, winding up in a warm pub with aching legs - perfect! Thanks to his influence I am now someone for whom a path offers opportunities and freedom. Following a path can be both about having found your way but also about losing yourself - paths offers choices and you don’t always know where they will lead you.

“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I -

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.”

Robert Frost, The Road not Taken.

In his book, The Songlines, Bruce Chatwin described the idea that when you’re walking you can’t have problems - that really resonated with me and I’ve been struck many times that after going for a walk I’ve been able to solve a problem or make better sense of a difficult situation. When walking outside we literally have our horizon broadened and we get a new perspective.

I noticed that when my father developed Alzheimers and was losing the ability to cope with once familiar tasks, one thing that gave him pleasure and focus was to go on a walk. As long as he could see the path he would keep going - perhaps there were neural pathways that stayed healthy whilst others hardened and died.

In organisations people often get bogged down and can’t seem to find a way out of a situation. At the same time organisational cultures often often leaves employees inhibited in breaking out of the mould and doing something different that could deliver a better outcome. When we’re stuck in some way, it’s often time to find a new path to follow. There’s a lot to be said for the benefits of taking a walk when you’re at work. John Medina in his book “Brain Rules” talks about our brains being designed for walking and suggests that businesses should think about the design of the workspace to encourage employees to walk.  A good friend, Anthony Baring, who is FD of a consultancy business, takes people out in London for walking meetings - that feels like a path of possibilities and unexpected turns. I think we risk losing the confidence to step out on new paths - we all have a smartphone with apps to show us the way. Sharing the path with someone else can create a sense of a shared journey and the possibility of a more human relationship.

I believe that we need to get lost every now and again to truly find ourselves - perhaps if you have that family tradition of a Christmas walk, this year it may be time to try a different path.

Christmas Walk
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licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence