Do you remember how just two years ago millions of people both inside and outside the US were enthused and excited by the possibilities they saw for the future, and delighted in using the phrase “Yes we can!” One morning last week on the “Today” programme on BBC Radio 4, I heard a report on …
So, George Osborne has done his thing, we've had the "Emergency" Budget, and now all the pontificators, pundits & politicians are giving us the benefit of their "analysis". Except that the majority of the "analysis" is nothing of the sort – more accurately it is opinion and speculation about what is good, bad or indifferent …
Did you see Question Time on BBC1 on Thursday night? It was pretty incredible. On one side of David Dimbleby sat Michael Heseltine and Simon Hughes, together representing the new Liberal-Conservative (note big C) progressive coalition government. On the other side were ranged the entire gamut of conservatism (small c), represented by Labour peer Lord …
All the (small c) conservatives seem committed to the coalition failing Read More »
As I'm writing this, there is still no conclusion to the "everyday story of Westminster folk." If it had been presented on a stage, the last few days would have borne more than a passing resemblance to one of Brian Rix's Whitehall farces. People entering and leaving the stage in rapid succession. Appearing through one …
Have you noticed how people often fail to take best advantage of the opportunities they have in life because they are fearful of the consequences? Or rather, they are fearful of what they think the consequences might possibly be in some kind of worst case scenario, that they create in their heads. I know I've …
So, it's all over bar the shouting – or perhaps, given the apparently calm (in public, at least) way in which the three main parties are exploring their coalition options, it's more accurate to say, it's all over bar the very polite, respectful conversations. For me there are two things of particular interest in the …
What can be learnt from the UK Election? (and I don’t mean politically) Read More »
From a Behavioural and Influencing point of view, the reaction of politicians to the outcome of the first UK election Leaders Debate is fascinating. The Tories in particular are running around like headless chickens – they seem to have no clue how to respond to the boost in support for the LibDems that has resulted …
I've been continuing to think about the whole thing of trust since my post on Tuesday, There seems to be a huge surplus of lack of trust around these days (Can you have a surplus of a lack of something? – anyway, I hope you know what I mean). We don't trust politicians – they …
What is your Trust level in business and life? Many people say a primary trait they want in political and business leaders is Integrity. But if you ask what they mean by that, the number of different answers is likely to equal the number of people asked. Integrity is one of those words that tends …
I’ve just been reading an article in last Saturday’s Guardian called Young Guns, all about youth gun culture in America. Only this isn’t the kind of youth gun culture – connected to gangs and drugs – that might come to mind for most Europeans. This is youth gun culture initiated, encouraged and glorified by parents …
