Category Archives: Managing people

Only the art-less can afford art

Posted on March 23, 2012 by

It seemed mighty unfair that the girls should lose the task. Kicking off a new series of BBC’s Apprentice, the first task was to design, make and sell printed items. The girls’ team Sterling produced some excellent ideas. Even the … Continue reading →

Posted in Managing people, Success, Teamwork, The Apprentice 2012, TV reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

How to manage an extrovert

Posted on February 13, 2012 by

I sat in on an interview conducted by an extrovert. In all the time he was talking, there wasn’t a single question directed at the candidate! She had a winning smile to be fair, and doubtless an impeccable CV, but … Continue reading →

Posted in Broken relationships in business, Extravert v Introvert, Family life, Handling Prima Donnas, Managing people, Personal development, Recruitment | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Do you believe in people?

Posted on September 13, 2011 by

I fully understand if you don’t, because people let you down. But if we want to lead people we have to start believing in them. Sometimes it takes a real act of faith. Or maybe it’s instinct. After all there … Continue reading →

Posted in Cost of leadership, Leadership, Leadership qualities, Managing people, Nurturing talent, Why we need other people | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Does the boss need to be good with people?

Posted on January 21, 2011 by

The commonest reason for promotion to manager is: technical excellence and hard work. But if you want to lead people, those excellent technical skills won’t be anything like enough. Even worse, if you work in a business where it’s every-man-for-himself, … Continue reading →

Posted in Broken relationships in business, Confidential advice, Getting to the top, Leadership, Leadership problems, Leadership qualities, Managing people, Personal development, Reluctant leader | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

English proud of Stella

Posted on December 20, 2010 by

Stella English was an unsurprising winner for BBC’s Apprentice 2010. She has been exceptionally good from the moment she won the task for the boys in episode 2. This was the best series of The Apprentice I have seen. It … Continue reading →

Posted in Brand, Finding success in business, Leadership qualities, Management v leadership, Managing people, Recruitment, Success, Teamwork, The Apprentice, TV reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

How does Joel model leadership?

Posted on November 3, 2010 by

Don’t read this if you are out of touch with your sensitive side! But Channel 4′s Undercover Boss USA shows Joel Manby as a great model of leadership. It’s the usual format with Joel, CEO of Herschend theme parks, going … Continue reading →

Posted in Family life, Getting to the top, Leadership, Leadership qualities, Managing people, TV reviews, Undercover Boss | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

How do you solve a problem like Melissa?

Posted on November 1, 2010 by

My apologies to “The Sound of Music”, but BBC’s Apprentice Melissa Cohen, represents a real conundrum to modern day businesses and communities. In the film, very un-nun-like “Maria” played by screen legend Julie Andrews, represents a big problem for the … Continue reading →

Posted in Broken relationships in business, Bullying in the work place, Conflict, Film takes, Managing people, Mentoring, Recruitment, The Apprentice, TV reviews, You're fired | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

How does Surgeon Apprentice get the chop?

Posted on October 21, 2010 by

It was good to see Karren Brady and Nick Hewer getting more air time in Episode 3 of BBC’s The Apprentice. They are Lord Sugar’s unbiased eyes and ears. They don’t miss much. For the edited highlights we get to … Continue reading →

Posted in Conflict, Finding success in business, Managing people, The Apprentice, TV reviews, You're fired | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

With regret, you’re fired!

Posted on October 13, 2010 by

An MD I used to work with, told me once that he’d never had a bad sacking. By this he meant that those employees he had had to part company with, had accepted it was the right thing to do, … Continue reading →

Posted in Broken relationships in business, Conflict, Managing people, The Apprentice, You're fired | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Is Big Society like delivering babies?

Posted on October 12, 2010 by

Are you “big picture” or “detail”? Some years ago when I was learning to deliver babies, the era we were in was one of high intervention. We strapped up mums-to-be with wires and electrodes. One such gadget was a fetal scalp … Continue reading →

Posted in Leadership, Managing people, Why we need all types | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment