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Why?

27 February, 2011 by James Lawther Leave a Comment

I have two children: My youngest (two) asks why. Why are we going in the car? Why should I wear boots? Why is the sky blue? My eldest (eight) asks why. Why is there global warming? Why are people fighting in Bahrain? Why is the sky blue? It does my head in. But the thing […]

Filed Under: Blog, Employee Engagement Tagged With: assumptions, clarity, learning

A Week’s Worth of Quotes

19 August, 2010 by James Lawther Leave a Comment

Andy Rooney: “Making duplicate copies and computer printouts of things no one wanted even one of in the first place is giving America a new sense of purpose.” Doug Larson: “Accomplishing the impossible means only that the boss will add it to your regular duties.” Edward Abbey:  “One man alone can be pretty dumb sometimes, […]

Filed Under: Blog, Employee Engagement Tagged With: continuous improvement, learning, purpose, teamwork

I Love to Bitch

12 June, 2010 by James Lawther Leave a Comment

Some people drive me nuts. They have their own agendas. They don’t see common sense. They are thinking short-term. They don’t see the bigger picture. They just want to look good in front of their boss. I on the other hand am perfect. I am told I should: – Try to understand their agenda – […]

Filed Under: Blog, Employee Engagement Tagged With: assumptions, bitching and moaning, communication, learning

The Alternative to Shouting at Your Staff

12 May, 2010 by James Lawther Leave a Comment

How do you get people to comply?  How do you make sure that they follow the right procedures, stack the shelves in the right order or answer the phone in the right way? Check and Shout.  Check they did what you wanted and shout at them if they didn’t. Alternatively you could look at why […]

Filed Under: Blog, Employee Engagement Tagged With: compliance, error proofing, learning

Mr Motivator

12 May, 2010 by James Lawther Leave a Comment

We all know about the carrot and stick, but do they work? Embedded below is a fascinating talk by Dan Pink at the the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA). Apparently the solution is to work on your “transcendent purpose”. Well worth a ten minute ponder.

Filed Under: Blog, Employee Engagement Tagged With: Daniel Pink, learning, motivation, purpose, reinforcing behaviour, video

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