What is your personality type?

I am certified to use Myers Briggs step ll and have always had a great deal of faith in the system, at both and individual and team level.

I have just found a really good article on Life Hacker that provides some fascinating incites. Please just click on the image below.

Performance Management - big changes at GE

GE have long had the ability to adjust their performance management systems to their current business model.

Here are a few interesting posts:=

Why GE had to kill its annual performance reviews after more than three decades

GE’s Real-Time Performance Development

GE Considers Scrapping the Annual Raise

How GE Renews Performance Management: From Stack Ranking To Continuous Feedback

Growth Mindset Ideas

25 Ways to Develop a Growth Mindset By Saga Briggs

Fixed vs. Growth: The Two Basic Mindsets That Shape Our Lives - Brain Pickings

Carol Dweck

Brexit Rocks!

In the recent EU referendum I voted remain for a number of reasons:-

• I like being part of Europe and have lots of European friends and colleagues. Before I retired I worked for a European region of a global business and it was great to always feel part of something bigger.
• I also believed it would be a financial catastrophe to lose our premier status within the EU, especially as a retiree looking to ensure our investments continue to grow.
• I also looked at Boris and Gove and there was no way I would back either one as leader of our country!

I went to bed thinking the floating 10% of voters would, because they were unsure, vote to remain. Sad to thinking that the tipping point to leave may well have come from people that voted leave as a protest against the establishment!

So now it's Brexit and we know Brexit means Brexit. 

I find it hard to see the meaningful positives coming out of 'taking back control', although as much as I love the Europeans, I certainly despise anything to do with the EU administration. The unelected officials who seemed to have so much power over our lives. Also the sheer waste, excessive remuneration packages, unaudited accounts. All those pigs feeding off the trough of our toils .... BARSTARDS!

Hey I'm starting to warm to Brexit.

Now thank goodness we have a down to earth woman as prime minister and all the silly little public schoolboys have gone. I think the government appears to be made up of people who take politics and running the country seriously. It seems as if there really will be a focus on ordinary hard working people, rather than primarily benefiting the privileged few. Plus Gove, and possibly Boris has been stitched up. 

Hey Brexit Rocks!!!!!

Awesome leaders - Michelle Obama

With the American presidential elections confusing the hell out of the world, there is one leader that has stood out for me. Sadly she has not put herself up for the election, she probably has better things to do with her life. Michelle Obama, what an amazing leader she is and an example to all.

Forbes summed up her leadership qualities as:-

How does Mrs. Obama exemplify great leadership skills? Consider the following takeaways when seeking managerial success:

Self-respect and respect for others


It’s very easy to forget to respect others, especially in our current political landscape. But without recognising and respecting the opinions of others, a leader isn’t leading; they’re dictating. Similarly, without self-respect, giving respect to others is quite difficult. In everything Michelle Obama has done, she has always held a high level of self-respect and respect for others, and that’s something all leaders should uphold.

Relatable to employees

In her recent speech, Michelle Obama talked about her personal life, her first date with her husband, and her hopes for her daughters. Her personal story has resonated with women across the country and empowered African American women to knock down stereotypes. Much of this happened because she has been a continuously relatable figure.

She’s not the first to convey personal anecdotes during speeches, obviously. In fact, it’s commonly seen in a First Lady’s speech. But the takeaway is the same: a leader who is relatable to his or her employees will connect easier with them, provide better feedback, and foster a more effective personal relationship.


Effective communicator

Effective leaders not only speak confidently and clearly, but also with a sense of conviction that will move who they are speaking to into action. Michelle Obama has continuously rallied women across the country in areas like women’s rights, voting, and finding balance between professions and motherhood.

Effective communication is not just about being clear and persuasive. It’s also about being open and available. Without having an open door, employees will feel restricted in their own conversations with you.

Honest and dedicated

Great leaders are honest about their policies and expectations and their areas of expertise and downfalls. In particular, an important leadership skill is knowing when to admit you’re wrong or that you don’t know. In fact, the best leaders not only don’t know everything, but they don’t claim to. However, holding honesty and dedication to their work is what is most effective.

Michelle Obama has been honest and dedicated in many areas during her husband’s presidency. In particular, her dedication to solving childhood obesity and supporting military families has been part of what makes her a great leader.

Inspiring and motivational

Take a look back on your life; who inspired you the most? Whether it’s a teacher, co-worker, or family member, they likely had at least this quality which made an impact on you. A leader who is inspirational and motivational is a powerful leader. Similar to Michelle Obama seeming like one of the rest of us, her personal story also evokes inspiration and motivation in women.

To me this video summarises what a great lady she is!