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Blair McPherson
wrote a new blog post
20 Jul 2016 - 10:57

null Dry stone walling

Can a leader take a group of misfits and make them into a strong, effective unit, a sort of "Dirty Dozen" only not by focusing their aggression but channelling their independence of thought. More like the characters in The Big Bang Theory. The approach has been referred to as Dry Stone Walling.   Take irregular shaped individuals the ones who don't fit into the organisations neat breeze... See more
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Blair McPherson
wrote a new blog post
18 Jul 2016 - 15:21

null Wouldn't it be nice

  Leaders have vision. Leaders can describe what the future will look like if we only have faith in them. So what, we can all say "wouldn't it be nice if.....?" The difference is they have the power to make it happen or rather, "together we can make it happen". Can we ? "Yes we can" President Obama said repeatedly in one of the most inspiring taking up office speeches. Nice sentiment... See more
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Blair McPherson
wrote a new blog post
12 Jul 2016 - 21:39

null Wheel chair rage

  Narrow medieval streets packed tight with meandering tourist are not the easiest place to navigate a wheel chair, add hot sun and a deceptive incline and the result is wheel chair rage. The oncoming people traffic can get out of your way but the people in front can't see you coming, abrupt stops to examine brightly coloured objects on a market stall or the sudden desire  to... See more
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Blair McPherson
wrote a new blog post
08 Jul 2016 - 13:34

null Winter has come

There is a constant threat of decline and sense of wrongness in the world. There are kings and king makers, trial by combat, scheming and betrayal and a delicious habit of bumping of the biggest names. This is not some medieval fantasy or an episode of Game of Thrones this is Great Britain after the "Vote" this is the UK following a period of prolonged austerity this is our country in a period... See more
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Blair McPherson
wrote a new blog post
08 Jul 2016 - 10:26

null Local Authorites in denial about racism

  Too many public sector organisations including Local Authorities are still in denial about racism due to their management culture.     The Macpherson enquiry emphatically made the point that racism was not just about the extreme behaviour of a few wicked people nor was it limited to unprovoked assaults, abuse shouted in the streets or outright... See more
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Blair McPherson
wrote a new blog post
06 Jul 2016 - 19:55

null Blair on Leadership

" In the end you might be right or wrong but ultimately I think leadership is about assessing the situation as you see it and doing what you think is right , even if it's not always very popular" Tony Blair ex PM on Chilcot report into Iraq war. Others might add that leadership also requires insight into how your own behaviour effects others, the ability to know when to listen and when to... See more
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Blair McPherson
wrote a new blog post
04 Jul 2016 - 18:34

null Will intelligent machines ever replace me

We have been warned. Some very cleaver people like professor Steven Hawkins have told us that in the near future artificial intelligence will result in machines that can think. What will happen to us humans when machines are not only stronger and quicker but also smarter than us?   Will intelligent machines ever replace public sector workers?    Some predict a life of... See more
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Blair McPherson
wrote a new blog post
04 Jul 2016 - 17:20

null The fantasy of strong leadership

The cry goes up, "what we need is strong leadership" but what does strong leadership look like?  We have had charismatic leaders in the past and they certainly inspire people but they also view dissent as personal disloyalty, have a tendency to close down debate rather than open it up and impose rather than negotiate change. Yes they get things done but it's very much the end justifies... See more
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Blair McPherson
wrote a new blog post
29 Jun 2016 - 09:49

null Is xenophobia acceptable when racism isn't?

If it's not racism then what is it? We have a phrase for unintended prejudice and illinformed behaviour in organisations its " institutional racism". What is the equivalent for the same behaviour amongst voters? Those who voted "out"say it was because of concerns about immigration and they are defiantly not racist. Do they mean that it's not people's colour or religion they object to but simply... See more
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Blair McPherson
wrote a new blog post
26 Jun 2016 - 16:41

null Appointing a winner is no guarantee of success.

  It's generally assumed that if you appoint the right person success will follow. This assumption arises out of the tendency to look at successful organisations and attribute success to leadership. It is true that successful organisations are all well led but it doesn't follow that the right leader will guaranty success.  Why does a managers enjoy considerable success in one... See more
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Blair McPherson
wrote a new blog post
18 Jun 2016 - 11:35

null How to stand out

  The US work place is not kind to introverts. In the US the aim is to stand out. Those who stand out get the promotion they feel they deserve, so speak up at meetings, offer ideas, do things with out being asked, be enthusiastic, be positive, do more than your job requirers. This won't work in the UK. Standing out in the UK involves blending in, keeping your head down and being a safe... See more
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Blair McPherson
wrote a new blog post
12 Jun 2016 - 18:56

null Evolution of intelligent machines

  Machines, intelligent machines are ideal for space exploration, they don't need oxygen, water or food and they don't age. The last is important as the distances in space travel are unimaginably long and will take what would be many life spans of humans. In view of the time scales perhaps the most important difference is machines don't get board or drunk!  Once a machine learns to... See more
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Blair McPherson
wrote a new blog post
08 Jun 2016 - 15:02

null Horrible Bosses

  What do Mike Ashley and Jose Mourinho have in common? Both are arrogant both were in trouble over their treatment of their employees. It not just in the private sector that some bosses think they can treat employees the way they like. There are plenty of examples in the public sector. What surprises me is that someone could become a chief executive of an NHS trust or a local... See more
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Blair McPherson
wrote a new blog post
07 Jun 2016 - 18:07

null Take me to your leader

According to Richard Dawkins in his book The Selfish Gene if an alien was to visit Earth, the question it would pose to judge our intellectual maturity would be ,"Have they discovered evolution yet?". However this question would lead to the wrong conclusion. A better understanding of our world would prompt the question not have they discovered evolution but how widespread is the acceptance of... See more
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Blair McPherson
wrote a new blog post
26 May 2016 - 17:20

null Most organisations are not safe places to say what you are really thinking

  If you want to get on don't rock the boat. Don't contradict your manager. Best avoid topics of race , faith and sexuality so as not to risk saying the wrong thing. Don't go out of your way to upset your workmates by telling tales to management. This is the unofficial culture of every organisation I have ever worked in.    This unofficial culture explains why whistleblowers... See more
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Blair McPherson
wrote a new blog post
21 May 2016 - 14:20

null The science of marginal gains

  A wide range of small minor improvements together make a significant difference to performance. This is particularly significant when the difference between success and failure is so small. The recent international and Olympic successes of the British cycling team has given a massive boost to the science of marginal gains. Marginal improvements in 1001 areas, technical, training and... See more
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Blair McPherson
wrote a new blog post
16 May 2016 - 18:12

null Rescue me

In the office we referred sarcastically to a colleague who seemed to want to rescue those they worked with. Every office had one. They invariably came from a 'good ' background and were perhaps over compensating for the benefits they had enjoyed, they tried too hard and were always prepared to  give their client the benefit of doubt and another chance despite the evidence of experience.... See more
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Blair McPherson
wrote a new blog post
13 May 2016 - 15:23

null The Performance Coach

  You think HR is for softies! Mr and Ms reasonable. The nice people who ensure you do the right thing, the ones who resolve conflict and get managers out of the holes they have dug for themselves. You think HR is about softening the blow of redundancy or putting a human face on absence management. Then you wouldn't expect a Performance Coach to be part of HR. A performance coach is... See more
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Blair McPherson
wrote a new blog post
10 May 2016 - 14:01

null How to behave like a leader (number 74)

Which US president was so unlikable  that even his dog had to be bribed with biscuits to go anywhere near him? The answer is Richard Nixon or "tricky Dicky" as he became known. So being likable  is not a criteria for the top job. Can you be an unpopular leader and still be an effective leader? A lot of leaders like to think so.  www.blairmcpherson.co.uk See more
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Blair McPherson
wrote a new blog post
09 May 2016 - 11:52

null How to behave like a leader (number 89)

  Push, Praise and Push again. www.blairmcpherson.co.uk See more
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