Every action from anti-slavery movements to women’s rights, from civil rights to LGBT has been met be opposition. You don’t have to look like me to share my outrage at injustice, you simply have to believe in freedom for all and join me on my daily struggle.
Little decisions become big decisions
We are constantly looking into the past, projecting into the future and creating alternative realities. Reality is as it is, you either argue with it or you can embrace it! When I was young, my ambition was to be one of the people who made a difference in this world. My hope is still to leave the world a little bit better for my having been here, as I have a wonderful life and I love it.
“Your input determines your outlook,
Your outlook determines your output, and
Your output determines your future. ”
Happy Valentine’s Day
The voice of resistance is millions of years old.
The voice of resistance understands that love is dangerous because love makes you vulnerable.
The voice of resistance understands that love is dangerous because love generates criticism and because love is not for everyone.
Doing things in a calm and confident way
““The more tranquil a man becomes, the greater is his success, his influence, his power for good. Calmness of mind is one of the beautiful jewels of wisdom.” - James Allen”
SARS-CoV-2 (RNA)
Copenhagen (2200 N)
According to the World Health Organisation
Most common symptoms are:
- fever
- dry cough
- tiredness
Less common symptoms are:
- aches and pains
- sore throat
- diarrhoea
- conjunctivitis
- headache
- loss of taste or smell
- a rash on skin, or discolouration of fingers or toes
Serious symptoms are:
- difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- chest pain or pressure
- loss of speech or movement
And even though I have none of the above symptoms, this morning I received notification from the Danish Health Authorities that my PCR test from yesterday morning is “positive”.
Therefore, I am in self-isolation until 5th February 2021. Stay safe 😷.
It's all about discovery
Nowadays, we are living in a moment in history where compromise is a dirty word, and everything seems to be about conflict and blame. The old phase, “my way or the highway” appears more prevalent than ever and I for one would like to get more people to face up to their own hypocrisy. Day after day I am trying to live up to the basic human responses - honesty, empathy, courtesy, patience and goodwill.
I know that the best strategies mean nothing if you don’t have the resources to execute them, fortunately, when it comes to myself - I am more than capable. I am analytical and “even” Stephen because of my balance. Some would say that I am skeptical of convention and pretence, others would say that I am wise, funny and gracious.
What are my priorities today? And, how will I be of service today? These are far more valid daily questions than worrying about what people think of you.
Kamala Harris
Kamala Harris will be inaugurated as the Vice President of America later today, not only the first woman in history to hold this position but also the first person of colour. I salute you on this momentous achievement and wish you good luck in your endeavours over the next 4 years. Both Kamala Harris and I have our paternal roots in Jamaica ❤️.
Jamaica is known for reggae music (Bob Marley) and sprinting (Ursain Bolt). There is so much status attached to showing talent in sport and music that sometimes the rest of the world forgets about the opportunities we are denied due to the colour of our skin. My parents always told me that Jamaicans are entrepreneurs by nature because from a very early age you learn how to lead, delegate, problem solve and oral communication skills. I could spend the rest of my life explaining why - due to our ancestral heritage - I’ll save that for another day. Congratulations Kamala Harris.
Whistle to the mouth
Nowadays everyone is harking on about authenticity! What exactly does authenticity mean? I think the only time when we are being our authentic self is when we are wearing nappies (diapers). And ever since then we have been faking it and the big question is why we fake it. This may be because when people see us they will judge us differently based on our appearance.
It’s not because this is our authentic self but it’s because it's the self we choose to put forward. So perhaps we could redefine authentic to mean consistent. And our consistent self is one that if you look at it from the back or look at it from the side - it’s the same. Our consistent self is the way we behave in front of our parents and in front of our customers. I think when we are consistent then we can define that as a version of consistency.
Future proofing our youngsters
Someone asked me the other day about what I thought our youngsters should be learning in order to counter the threat of AI (artificial intelligence). Here’s what I think and not in any particular order:
Public speaking
Project management
Negotiation
Conflict resolution
Critical thinking
The art of selling
Storytelling
People management
Customer service
Marketing
Goodbye 2020
“There were many dark moments when my faith in humanity was sorely tested, but I would not and could not give myself up to despair. - Nelson Mandela”
Today is my birthday
Jupiter and Saturn
Today, between 17.30 and 19.00 (Central European time) we can watch solar system’s two largest planets (Jupiter and Saturn) side by side in night sky. It will be the closest ‘great conjunction’ since 1623 and it will be 2080 before the planets align so closely again.
Value based living
Growing up in London meant that were raised to be polite. Back in the days when we tripped on the pavement or kicked a stone, we apologised. Intelligence to me meant emotional intelligence, and I think that this is being able to have a conversation with any human being using common sense and being street smart.
I always wanted to experience success and significance. I wanted to fully understand about what I learned and more importantly acknowledged the understanding in the way that I actualised it in my life. I think that you have to prepare yourself to be extraordinary in what you do if you want to experience success and significance.
The old Chinese proverb says, “I hear, and I forget, I see, and I may remember, I do, and I understand.”
I concur
“Thanks to the fundamental legacy my parents gave me, I’m always at home because I’m the same person no matter where I am. It’s that consistent definition of self which has allowed me to get through the tough times, when others were more than happy to try to define me according to their own prejudices. - Sidney Poitier ”
Plant the seed of hope
c/o Adobe stock photos
On this journey called life.
Take the good with the bad, the happy with the sad,
Appreciate what you have and let go of what you had,
Always forgive and never look back,
Things change,
Things go wrong but your path goes on.
How do you do that?
I have always been a curious human being! Today, I thought about what it would be like if I were in your body right now.
How would I get frustrated?
What would I picture?
What would I say to myself?
How would I say it?
What tonality would I use?
My daily affirmation
I am happy,
I am healthy, and
I am strong.
Dig the well before you get thirsty
Personal
We don’t question assumptions until the universe forces us to move out of the status quo. The people who get ahead are usually the people who do that questioning before they are forced out of the status quo, before a crisis strikes. Think out your outdated assumptions before the universe does it for you. Look at the decisions you are taking in your life right now and reflect. Question what you are doing and why you are doing them. And if you do not have a good enough answer for yourself then it’s probably not as strong as you believe it is.
Professional
I think that it’s in the hard times are when you grow and learn. To build top teams you will need to have real openness, to be honest without getting personal. Encouraging team members to express views without the fear of being ridiculed. Modern life is very technology-based, with people on their phones, therefore, the art of communication and speaking to people is nowhere as much part of life as when I was growing up.
Assumption is the mother of all mess ups
We are all seeking satisfaction, safety and belonging. I am fundamentally an optimist and part of being optimistic is keeping one's head pointed towards the sun and one's feet moving forward. The majority of us are focused on “what we know and what to do”, whereas the minority are focused on “what’s possible”. Our status and self esteem goes up because we can brag and boast about what we are doing.
I think the essential component of success is self awareness, introspection and reflection. The most truly successful people have it as they always gain wisdom along their journey. Perhaps the real gift of success are not economic gains and fame, but the wisdom and life lessons.
Nowadays, if you are not a millionaire no one is interested in your advice. In that case, I should shut up and concentrate on making some money. Sorry! I’m going to give you some advice: When you don’t know something, immediately say “I don’t know.” It shows confidence and you will keep on learning and growing and succeeding. Then say, "I will find out."
Interview questions
What are three key points that you want to make during your interview?
Why do you want to work for this company?
Why do you think this job is a good fit for you?
Why should we hire you?
What do you like most and least about your current job?
What are your weaknesses?
What characteristics are you looking for in an ideal job?
What are you salary expectations?
What qualifications or experiences make you uniquely qualified for the position?
Do you have any questions?
Yes, I would like to know how does your product or service change the lives of your customers?