When it comes to building strong relationships, rapport matters. Here’s a simple framework to build instant rapport.

What is rapport? Rapport is simply defined as having a good understanding of someone and the ability to communicate well with them. It usually involves mutual respect, trust, and empathy.

Here’s how a simple idea has improved my self-confidence overtime: Keeping promises made to ourselves. 💪

How it looks like on a day-to-day:
In my case, if I tell myself that I’ll go for a jog today, even if it’s only for 10 minutes I’ll do it no matter what. If I promise to wake up an hour earlier, I’ll do my best not to hit the snooze button (OK, maybe I’ll hit it once).

Stage plays vs films: What’s the difference?

🎭 Given their limited proximity, stage plays often emphasise heightened expressions to ensure visibility and impact for the audience. Plots in stage plays are generally simpler as immediate and continuous engagement is required. Also, it needs to regard practical considerations such as limited sets and swift scene changes.

🛠️ When developing aspiring leaders in your organisation, consider the 4Es of leadership development (Environment, Equipping, Exposure, and Execution); a framework that offers a holistic approach to nurturing leadership skills.

Shu-Ha-Ri is a Japanese martial art concept, describing the stages of learning to mastery. The word “shuhari” roughly translates to "first learn, then detach, and finally transcend."

💪 “Don’t give up because we’re outnumbered!”

In a world often obsessed with sheer numbers and size, there's another perspective that emphasises the importance of quality over quantity. This quote, “What we lack in numbers, we will make up with quality”, suggests that success can be achieved through a focus on excellence rather than sheer volume.

⚽️ “Life is not a game, but a SERIES of games.”

If this is true, then we had better be purposeful in how we play these “games”. I did some research and analysed some existing frameworks to develop this modest framework with the hope of helping us leaders assess our team members better based on how they are playing.

Facilitation is collaboration, and the success in collaborative efforts is a multi-dimensional affair not solely defined by results. When a leader puts on their facilitation hat, they should do so with the mindset of balancing these three dimensions (see image):

🎙️In a recent podcast, Adam Grant asked Brene Brown if the word ‘leadership’ didn’t exist, what would she replace it with?
She replied: “Facilitation”

🎯 Goal Setting For Success in 2024!

The only thing powerful enough to continually push us towards where we want to be in life is a firm and unwavering commitment to our goals.

If only it were that easy!

I’ve been asked a few times to define the role of a mentor and what exactly goes on between a mentor and their mentee. The purpose of a mentor is to help their mentees grow to become the best version of themselves.

⚠️ Previously, I shared a step-by-step guide in walking the friend-manager tightrope. Now let’s look into what to do if the friendship crosses the line.

Young leaders dream of building a team where camaraderie and team performance thrives. I myself have been there before, and I stepped on many toes trying to strike the right balance.

🙅🏻‍♂️Because of a deep-rooted fear of upsetting others, I’ve always avoided conflict. Through the years, my misguided belief that conflict avoidance was a healthy way of dealing with problems caused me and my relationships - both personal and professional - to unnecessarily suffer.

Real connections and growth happens when we choose to embrace and give the unfiltered truth.

Deciding whether to leave a job is a significant decision that requires careful consideration. There isn't a one-size-fits-all framework because individual circumstances, priorities, and values vary greatly.

Striking the right balance between self-assuredness and humility can be challenging.

Leaders with executive presence can command the room. They speak with conviction, confidence, and certainty, and can influence people at all levels.

In a world where customer preferences and expectations shift in the blink of an eye, mastering the art of anticipation can truly set you apart.

To be a “one size does not fit all” leader, we need to recognise that individuals have distinct personalities, motivations, and aspirations.