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.

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by Richard H Merrick

Stuck is mostly a choice

There are different sorts of stuck. Sometimes, things happen – our car breaks down or the weather closes in at the airport, – something outside our control. In observing many people and businesses though, mostly we get stuck in process. We get trapped in the way we think we should do things. In these cases, getting stuck is a choice.

I was reminded of the elevator ads when I read Seth Godin’s latest book  – What to do when it’s your turn”.  The ad is worth taking time to watch (and the book to read). It’s funny, and vaguely uncomfortable. Is your career like an elevator, and if it’s stuck, what will it take you to get off?