Down at the coalface

Day 45 (Thursday 14th January 2016)

45 rpm vinyl phonodisc records and a bakerlite player were introduced in 1949,
by the Radio Corporation of America (RCA), as they were seen as being smaller, more
durable and providing a higher fidelity recording than those produced on the traditional phonograph cylinders or 78 rpm gramophone records made of shellac.

Jon Bartlett is the author of today's post. Jon was one of the people I got to know soon after I first joined Twitter and, as well as being in contact via social media, we now meet when we can IRL, and I am proud to call him my friend. The three glorious photographs of sky-high drama and showers of sparks like a comet's tail, used to illustrate the year just gone, are all taken by Jon - as many of you know, he is a talented photographer. You can see more of his pictures on his work website: Project Libero, as well as getting a better feeling for him and how he operates. Jon is a coach, trainer, specialist mediator, mentor and one of the UK's recognised experts on mental health and related issues within the workplace. Jon writes an excellent blog at projectlibero.wordpress.com

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When I started my business I had a vague business plan about helping operational staff rather than executive teams. My experience in organisations led me to the conclusion that many of the frontline teams had management “done to them”, rather than it being collaborative or generative. I wanted to show staff how to manage upwards, how to take the initiative and become leaders themselves.

Along the way I got pleasantly side tracked into delivering a lot of training and consultancy on mental health and the organisational challenges (and opportunities) of managing this well. When I started this, I naively assumed that leadership teams would want to, well, lead on these issues. The reality was somewhat different. So as I look back and reflect on 2015 I realise how much time I’ve spent at “the coalface” this year. Not for me the comet trails of the C-suite but rather being down in the coal dust at an operational level. The place where lots of people want to see change, where they are willing to embody that change and push it upwards. With teams who are ready to seek forgiveness rather than permission.

This year

I’ve stood in front of a 15 strong SMT who all agreed that something “must be done” and were somewhat lost, until I pointed out that presumably we had all the necessary decision makers in the room…  And had their junior staff get on with setting up a knowledge sharing lunch and learn session.

I’ve had a senior operational leader discount my training to their staff as “more time with the men in white coats”….  And had their support staff make amazing adjustments to keep people on the team and bring them back to health and productivity.

I’ve heard a senior executive ponder on whether “we have those sort of people round here”….  And had 60% of their management cadre sign up for training and another 10% ask to be on a waiting list.

I don’t count those as my successes. Sure I was involved but I didn’t lead those initiatives. Good HR and L&D teams did. Motivated staff did.

My successes? Well the nature of my work these days mean that I spend a lot of time with people going through tough and frightening situations. Getting some of those people to look up and start to aim for the comet tails, for their own personal goals is reward in itself but perhaps my happiest moment was the time when someone talked to me about 10 years of self harm. The first time they’d spoken to someone other than a clinician and the trigger for them to ask for help from their employer to prevent it happening again.

All in all a successful year and with the prospect for more of the same in 2016, that’s enough to keep me chasing comets.

Perspective - Day 8

Day 8

Octopus - an ancient creature with 8 limbs, the
oldest fossil found belongs to an animal living 296 million years ago.
They have 3 hearts but 2 stop when they swim (hence their habit of crawling).
2/3 of an octopus' neurons reside in its arms (hence it can do at least 2 things at once).
To survive in deep, chilly waters, octopuses have copper rather than iron based blood,
in the cold, copper is better than hemoglobin at transporting oxygen, so their blood is blue.
illustration by Ulisse Aldrovandi, 16th century 

Welcome to a new week and a delightful post by Ailsa Suttie, who clearly enjoys her new life in the country. Ailsa is an experienced HR Director with passion for the people around her and the business she supports - she started her current role in January of this year. She is also a popular, caring voice on Twitter, via @AilsaSuttie, with a breadth of knowledge and insights to share. A wonderful cook and highly creative, Ailsa is a lady of many talents and a good friend. I am sure you will enjoy her post...

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One of my favourite places to walk is in the lanes across the road from the cottage. It’s a historical area and I know when I’m wandering along, stopping often for my small canine companion to sniff, that Saxons and Romans walked this area before me. On a winter afternoon when the light drops early and the wind moves the trees it gets quite atmospheric. About a mile up there is a marker for the Meridian Line, East literally meeting West and this is a place where I often stop to look over the fields and do some thinking, one foot on either side.

Meridian Marker, Hamsey Lane, Sussex, England

Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about connections, collaboration and coincidences and the ways in which those things come together, often at the right time even though we may not initially recognise it. Three things stand out for me this year and all have brought changes in their way.

When I moved to the country last year I was amazed at how quickly I got to know people and the generosity of spirit that a lot of my neighbours and the villagers have. I got to know a group of like minded ladies quite well over last winter, ok, those who know me know that this is the not so well kept Secret Ladies Wine Society! Taking aside the evenings we’ve spent over a few glasses, what is great about them is that they really are involved in the local community and do a lot of good for the area we live in. They run the village fair, several community groups and one serves on the Parish Council. They campaign for improvements to services, stopping trains, bus cuts, young people’s issues and many others. When they asked me if I’d consider taking on the editorship of the Parish Magazine I was really flattered and jumped straight in. I’ve been given the chance to see how rural areas really work, be involved in a lot of different events and have met lots of interesting people. When there is little funding its the effort that the locals put in that makes the real difference.

Through the magazine I met a great lady in the village who has 3 rescue dogs of her own and acts as a ‘finder’ for re-homed dogs locally. When boarding a plane to Italy I had a text from her asking if i’d consider a 2 year old Jack Russell. the rest is history. and Pamela is now a huge part of my life and  whilst Jack Russell’s may be small they have a wolf sized presence. She’s on my knee licking the keyboard as I write this!

Pamela

Work has been happening too. Starting the year in a new role and losing your entire team in one month is not ideal, especially when you have immediate deliverables and are in the spotlight. i thought I was being punished for some never before mentioned crime for the first four months! Then I got ill. I had almost three weeks of enforced time off and for once did not check emails but I did do a lot of thinking. It was clear, I could either give up or I could take control. Two things swung it for me, I had recruited a great team and the company was amazing when I needed them.  When I got back we had a new CEO and a new direction. He keenly saw the need for change and has embraced every off the wall idea I’ve thrown at him. Lots has happened in between, but this saw me taking our newly formed Exec Team with me to Meaning Conf in Brighton and it was just brilliant to see them all participating, so much so that the CEO has formed his Christmas presentation based on what he gained that day.  11 months into the job I love my team and have a passion for what we will do next year, it will create a real change in culture and many of the initiatives will have an immense, my impact on our success.

How does this tie in with me wandering rural lanes, a village wine club and a dog?

It’s all about people isn’t it? The people who spend time contributing to local issues, the lady who gives of herself to help dogs and the people I work with whose workplace will change next year and become something to aspire to.

And the lanes? They all lead somewhere.  As I said it's where I do my thinking and with one food on either hemisphere it gives me perspective and a (literal) view of more than one side.

Greenwich Meridian marker, East Sussex, England

Wishing you all warmth for the festive season and hope you have the year you want in 2015.

A stunning view near Ailsa's home

The Merits of Medlars

When we married, my uncle Guy gave us a Jacob Sheep fleece, from his own flock, as a wedding gift.  It many ways it was indicative of the man – understated, practical, unusual (but grounded in tradition), personal, well-presented and an object that came into existence through an individual's dedication, consideration and hard work.   Uncle Guy, who died earlier this month, was an extraordinary man.  A former Captain in the Royal Navy, who was awarded an OBE, he was a talented engineer (a trait inherited by his son Roger), gifted with words (a leagcy to his other son James) and surprisingly creative - basket weaving, tapestry, gardening and cookery.  I should not be surprised at his eye for detail and ability to persevere until a desired outcome was achieved given his hobbies and interests.  On leaving the Navy he worked in engineering - he was excellent at spotting and encouraging talent, enabling people who worked with him to exceed their own expectations.  Outside work he became increasingly interested in rural matters.  He kept sheep dogs (useful, given that he had his small flock of Jacobs), was a true pillar of his local village community as well as the British Legion and he also did much for our family – researching family roots, providing sound advice and leading by example.

Uncle Guy in many ways typifies the people whom we all take for granted – both within work and in the wider community.  If he said he would do something, you knew that he would not let you down.  He was always discreet and dignified – it was not in his nature to be over demonstrative - and often he needed to be asked for his thoughts on a matter if you wanted his valuable in-put.  All too frequently in the work environment we focus on the ones who make the most noise and who demand our attention.  Guy’s death reminds me that we must take time to appreciate those who conscientiously do what is expected of them (and often do more behind the scenes that is not specifically raised).  When you think of the talented people in your organisation, or the ones who stand out from amongst your friends, are they the quiet, efficient ones that you can rely on?  Are they those who avoid self-publicity?  Who are the first names that spring to mind?

Often organisations lean towards promoting individuals with outgoing personality traits for top corporate roles.  However, businesses risk missing out on exceptional knowledge and skills when they overlook employees with more understated styles.  There is huge value to having leaders who can listen to others, consider their ideas and, using this knowledge, improve team performance.  Traditionally extroverts have been more successful at climbing the corporate career ladder – they get themselves noticed and are usually good at directing others and taking control.  According to research undertaken by the University of Minnesota and Baruch College in 2009, 60% of top level executives showed high levels of extroversion.  However, there has been some interesting work undertaken by Francesca Gino, an associate professor of business administration at the Harvard Business School, into the value of introverts in the work place.  She also provides some sound advice to both introverts and extroverts on how to ensure that the best creative ideas and solutions are adopted:  http://blogs.hbr.org/hbsfaculty/2012/04/how-introverts-can-become-bett.html .  It's worth reading.

Those of you who know me will appreciate that I am an extrovert.  However, I am fortunate to have some exceptional introverts close to me, both in and outside work, and I know how much value they bring in so many ways.  I am aware that I do not have all the answers, so I have taught myself to seek out the input and comments of others, before making a proposal or decision.  At work we are undertaking our year-end appraisals.  It is time consuming, but, prior to drafting my own reviews on my direct reports’ performances, I am speaking with at least five people for each member of my team, drawn from various levels in the organisation, to glean their observations.  I have learned so much more about them as people (both my HR colleagues and those in other roles in the Group who have shared their thoughts).  By hearing from those whom HR has worked with, I have not only obtained a more rounded view of my team, but also ideas as to how we as a business unit can provide a better experience for our clients.

Often the least anticipated sources offer the most perceptive insights. The quiet team member may have the most extraordinary ideas with the power to transform your business for the better. It also is worth persevering, continuously seeking out and listening to the views of others, to ensure that you have an accurate understanding of what can and should be done.  People are like fruit, each has its own distinct look and flavour.  Some are easily overlooked due to an unprepossessing exterior or the vibrancy of others around them, but they may turn out to be the best of all.

This brings me back to Uncle Guy.  As mentioned earlier, he was excellent at spotting people’s strengths and helping them to achieve their potential, regardless of their backgrounds or apparent handicaps.  He continued this approach in many other areas, most notably his dedication to producing exceptional jams and conserves.  I will end with a piece that was published in 2009 by the Western Morning News on the preserving art of making medlar jelly.  In many ways it says more about Guy than any obituary ever will as it demonstrates his tenacity and drive to achieve the best possible even in the most demanding circumstances:

“The old Royal Navy captain is labouring with the weight of his wickerwork trug in the November storm. The wind is so strong you'd think an 82-year-old maritime man would be battening down the hatches - but Guy Crowden is after a mysterious, magical prize which can only be gleaned in a gale.

Medlars are mysterious because they look and feel totally inedible, and yet they are delicious. They're magical because the dull brown flesh creates one of the most beautiful pink-red products you'll ever see in a jar.

Medlar jelly is the retired navy captain's Holy Grail - he's already made goodness knows how many pounds of it already this autumn, but now the high winds are bringing down the remaining medlars he's been unable to reach.

Soon the glimmering, clear, roseate jelly will be adorning some savoury cut of game or other red meat, like a ruby jewel perched on the edge of a crown.

The Crowden jellies are works of culinary art - a statement which can be authenticated by describing the 82-year-old's kitchen door. Its wooden planks are covered in certificates boasting prizes from his local village produce show that stretch back years.“

If you want long-lasting success you must make best use of your Medlars!