by Richard H Merrick

Don’t get taken Hostage

Sometimes we just hear stuff that resonates, and need to stop and pay attention. I’ve spent years studying what helps people perform and find work that ignites them (or in a “job”, joy). From coaching to education to neuroscience. I have read probably thousands of books, and studied incessantly. I love what I do.

And what I have found is that the more I study, the more I recognise innate talent. I watch early years teachers pick up signals from “difficult” children, and see them transformed. I listen to Ferren Adria, or watch Michel Roux Junior critique people on “Masterchef” and am blown away by their approach, and their unbridled ambition for the people they are talking to.

And this morning, on Saturday Live (BBC Radio 4) I heard Richard Mullender, who immediately became another reference point as he pointed out that effective listening is about gathering intelligence. He was a hostage negotiator, and the thought struck me that we all get taken hostage time to time ( I blogged here)

It resonated entirely for me, and found me another book to read

Listen to the piece on Radio 4, or watch this video. In the end, it’s about personal freedom.

by Richard H Merrick

In the Midlands? – Three things to reflect on this week.

For those of us in the Midlands, here are three things to think about over that CostaBucks as you start the week:

  1. There was a brilliant TEDx Brum event on Saturday. Lots of local, great speakers, and an exceptional one by Emma Mulqueeny. If you have millenials, anywhere in your world, visit her blog on “97ers”.
  2. There is a NextGen 14 conference here in Derby on Tuesday and Wednesday. Amidst all the routine, unexciting bits will be some insights that may just affect the way every business in Derby works.
  3. Bearing in mid what might emerge from this, here’s a trend that is frightening the tech companies, that also has implications for the rest of us.

These are the sort of things we normally pass by when we’re busy. Understandable, but we probably shouldn’t.

Have a great week.