““One of the great challenges in this world is knowing enough about a subject to think you’re right, but not enough about the subject to know you’re wrong.””
Pioneering thinking
The circular economy is a system where materials never become waste and nature is regenerated. In a circular economy, products and materials are kept in circulation through processes like maintenance, reuse, refurbishment, remanufacture, recycling, and composting. The consensus is that regenerative sustainability refers to the process of creating economies and communities that heal the planet. I think that regenerative sustainability will take the concept of “sustainability” up to a new level. What do you think?
Encoding and decoding
The art of reading people requires a keen observation of their behaviour, body language, verbal cues, and emotional expressions, all in pursuit of unraveling their inner thoughts, feelings, and intentions. The greatest advantage to possessing the skill of reading people is that it immensely improves our ability to communicate with them. I think by attuning ourselves to the subtle nuances of human interaction, we gain invaluable insights into the perspectives and motives of those around us. It’s a powerful social dynamic and a useful way to facilitate meaningful and harmonious relationships.
Active allyship
Allyship needs to start with an examination of self, to better understand the power, privilege, and access available to you as an individual, as a result of the different identity groups to which you belong. Being an ally also requires deep education about the communities that you’re interested in demonstrating allyship toward. In Denmark, there is a disconnect between how minorities and majority cultures define allyship. The majority culture in Denmark think the most meaningful action they can take is to speak out about gender discrimination, whereas minorities think the best thing an ally can do is advocate for new opportunities. I think that cultural understanding and empathy are crucial for effective allyship efforts in order to have a more inclusive and collaborative approach to addressing issues of inequality and discrimination.
Why is this so difficult?
Intersectionality was coined in 1989 by professor Kimberlé Crenshaw to describe how race, class, gender, and other individual characteristics “intersect” with one another and overlap. For example, I am both Black and a man, so the lived experiences of discrimination from my perspective as a Black man is different from those of a Black woman or a white man’s.
““Intersectionality is a metaphor for understanding the ways that multiple forms of inequality or disadvantage sometimes compound themselves and create obstacles that often are not understood among conventional ways of thinking.””
A sad day for Denmark
Martin Kristiansen
The historic Danish Stock Exchange (Børsen) is burning. The building dates back to 1625, and is approx. 200m away from Denmark's parliament. It’s an extremely sad day for Denmark.
The real deal
Many people think vulnerability was a repellent, and I think it’s the world’s greatest magnet as it brings everybody to you. Nowadays, the greatest supply in the world is the opposite of vulnerability - it’s curating our lives on social media, and only showing the best parts of being successful and having picturesque holidays. On the other hand, the things that are in the highest demand are the things that we can relate to in 99% of our lives - the struggles, insecurities, doubts, etc. These are the elements in highest demand yet in lowest supply. When someone shares their struggles it increases oxytocin levels and we feel more connected to them.
““You cannot transmit something you haven’t got.””
You have to choose
I am always trying to understand:
What are people looking for?
Why are things the way they are?
Why is the layout the way it is?
If it is not working on me, why is it working on other people?
What kind of world view would make this communication effective?
““If you are free, you need to free somebody else. If you have some power, then your job is to empower somebody else.””
The overlap
In recent months, our focus has been on exploring how a deep understanding of intersectionality can enhance the sense of belonging in the Danish workplace. We've developed a comprehensive framework that emphasises the difference between equality and equity, and we've introduced an identity wheel as a tool to actively support marginalised groups. Our next step is to finalise the framework and begin testing it within focused groups comprising leaders and managers. Our ultimate goal is to enhance decision-making processes and foster more meaningful interpersonal connections.
The tip of the spear
Democracy is being able to speak your mind but with respect and without oppression. I think it's about persuading others through reasoned arguments and maintaining composure is crucial, especially the people in power as they should lead by example. When our government falls short in fostering such an environment, it falls upon us, as citizens, to counteract the polarisation that plagues our society.
““Never hold your head down, never say you can’t, never limit yourself, and never stop believing.””
Where do I belong?
Too Black to be British,
Too British to be Black,
Too British to be Jamaican,
Too Jamaican to be African,
Who am I?
Speaking about it with humour
The American comedian, Andrew Schulz performs in front of audiences who are completely mixed in every sense, they are properly represented and diverse. Schulz solves the diversity problem in a rather interesting way, not by pretending that touchy subjects like race or gender don't exist but by highlighting the distinctions and taking the "mickey" out of them. Perhaps from a creative point of view this is a better way to incorporate the diversity with humour rather than being politically correct and skipping around the topics. Do you pretend to make people not notice ethnic differences? Are you anxious in the presence of any of those differences, or do you acknowledge them and make light of them?
The known unknowns
When we fail to recognise context, events are misunderstood and energies are misplaced. I think some leaders miss the essential competency of seeing, understanding, and mastering the systemic contexts in which we and others exist. Contact me via e-mail and let’s discuss your context blindspots.
Change is on its way
Communication comes in both words and deeds, so clear procedures, goals, methods, and deadlines are required. In successful transformations, leaders actively look for ways to obtain clear performance improvements, establish goals in an annual planning system, achieve these objectives, and reward the people involved with recognition, promotions, or financial incentives. Nothing undermines the communication of a change vision more than the behaviour on the part of key players that seems inconsistent with the vision. I think attitude training is just as important as skills training as guilt, political considerations and concerns over short-term results stop people from having honest discussions. It’s not possible to change habits built up over years and in some cases decades after only one workshop.
Contact me via e-mail to book an appointment.
““Language isn’t just a means of communication, it’s a reservoir of memory, tradition, and heritage.” ”
Humility and sensitivity
c/o Penn Medicine
I am always going to be misunderstood!
I have been prepared for character assassination, being marginalised, and pushed to the side when it comes to trying to tell the truth about people whose suffering has been rendered invisible for so long in the mainstream narrative. I’m not claiming to be right, and I have been thinking about it for decades, so I am open to challenges to my findings. Raised by deeply humble parents who instilled in my sisters and myself the values of treating others with respect and humility, and to never ever think you are better than anybody else.
““The reason facts don’t change most people’s opinions is because most people don’t use facts to form their opinions. They use their opinions to form their facts.””
Building a pipeline
The top-performing sales professionals consistently engage in prospecting, recognising the necessity of maintaining a consistently full and active sales funnel. As they view themselves as CEOs of their own lives, income streams, and deal pipelines. I think the key to ensuring flow and momentum within the pipeline lies in continuously filling the top with potential opportunities. By prioritising the influx of prospects, salespeople can mitigate closing challenges and approach sales from a mindset of abundance, refusing to yield control of the sales process to prospects. A full funnel enables smarter selling strategies and empowers sales professionals to navigate negotiations with confidence and resilience.
The pathway to growth
c/o McKinsey & Company
Imagine growing up with the understanding that simply being yourself would be perceived as a problem. Subconsciously, you're constantly met with the message that what you have to offer holds no value. You're left with two options: conform to the existing norms and expectations, or take on the daunting task of building an entirely new framework from scratch. I think this persistent challenge shapes not only your perception of yourself but also your approach to navigating the world around you.
““To make difference in someone’s life, you don’t have to be rich, beautiful, or perfect. You just have to care.” ”
Stop making excuses
Successful leaders often rely on mentors and coaches to provide guidance, support, and valuable insights, enabling them to navigate challenges and develop their skills effectively. They also demonstrate the ability to address uncomfortable truths with honesty and compassion, which helps to build trust and credibility within their teams. Emotional intelligence is recognised as a critical skill for leaders, as it allows them to be genuine and transparent, thereby inspiring and influencing others positively. In my experience, leaders with strong emotional intelligence are adept at holding themselves and their team members accountable for results without resorting to excuses.
One of my favourite quotations
““A cat that dreams of becoming a lion must begin with losing appetite for rats.” ”
I think it means that in order to achieve significant growth or transformation, one must be willing to let go of small, insignificant pursuits or habits.
A snippet from a coaching session
Here’s a sneak preview of some of the questions I ask in my leadership development coaching sessions:
1. What will my team hold me accountable for?
2. What are the goals I have for my team?
3. How do they make decisions?
4. How do they resolve conflicts?
5. What are my personal goals as a leader?
6. How will I get results in those areas?
Contact me via e-mail to arrange a discovery meeting.
““Curiosity about life in all of its aspects, I think, is still the secret of great creative people.” ”