>BOOST O2 >> PERSPECTIVES SELECTION

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• Science…
• The Hard Problem: Consciousness
• A Tear At The Edge of Creation: Science And Reason…
• Taking The Mind Of God Out Of Science
• BEYOND BELIEF
• The Big Bang Machine And The Mind Of God
• In The Beginning: A Creation Myth
• Science And Morality: You Can’t Derive ‘Ought’ Fro…
• Toward A Science Of Morality
• Contemporary Work On The Origin Of Life
• The Actual, The Possible And What’s Real
• Can Newton And Einstein Teach Us Something About G…
• ‘Inception’ And The Dream Of A Physics Of Dreams
• RIGTH OR WRONG? >> MAKING THE CALL
• Borges, The Universe And The Infinite Library
• Nature by Numbers
• The Hidden Dimensions Of Science Vs. Religion
• To Infinity And Beyond
• Why Time Had A Beginning
• Time And Life

ACTIONABLE INSIGHTS >>> KNOWLEDGE YOU CAN TRUST >>> ENJOY IT!

>BOOST O2: BOOST O2 WEEKEND > ART > THIS IS THE FUTURE OF PHO…

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BOOST O2: BOOST O2 WEEKEND > ART > THIS IS THE FUTURE OF PHO…: “AWESOME MOVING PHOTOS FROM…. From Me To You Tumblr photography blog . THIS IS THE FUTURE Through my new friends at tumblr headquarte…”

ACTIONABLE INSIGHTS >>> KNOWLEDGE YOU CAN TRUST >>> ENJOY IT!

>BOOST O2: BOOST O2 >> Power stress is a business killer

>BOOST O2: BOOST O2 >> Power stress is a business killer: “by Dr. Damigo; PhD We act, decide and choose as a result of inner forces, often unconscious , and the brain’s reactive and protective m…”

ACTIONABLE INSIGHTS >>> KNOWLEDGE YOU CAN TRUST >>> ENJOY IT!

>BOOST O2: BOOST O2 >> Tap into your Mindful Power

>BOOST O2: BOOST O2 >> Tap into your Mindful Power: “by Dr. Damigo; PhD To become mindful leaders and tap into that power, tleaders must: Embrace the notion of becoming mindful partners. …”

ACTIONABLE INSIGHTS >>> KNOWLEDGE YOU CAN TRUST >>> ENJOY IT!

>BOOST O2 >> LEADERSHIP VIDEOS

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INSIDE BUSINESS MANAGEMENT…. COMING SOON!!!!!

Don’t assume wisdom comes with age Bryan Sanderson knows all about diversity: he heads an international bank, the UK’s best-known private health company and a premier league football club to boot. In this video he reminds us of the imp…. Bryan Sanderson 3:30 mins

Communicate your strategy clearly Sanjiv Ahuja, the man who led IBM’s entry into the telecommunications software industry, is both a strong leader and at the forefront of cutting-edge technology in a rapidly changing sector. Watch as ….   Sanjiv Ahuja 3:16 mins

Solve problems not symptoms Mix heavyweight business leader with forward-thinking acumen. Add Chairman roles at Kingfisher, Whitbread and Geest and you’ve got Sir John Banham’s recipe for business success. Sir John Banham cautio…. Sir John Banham 2:20 mins

Human capital is the basis for competitive advantage Warren Bennis is one of the nation’s pre-eminent authorities on organisational development, leadership, and change, a role that enables him to fulfil a lifelong goal of serving as an author and teache…. Warren Bennis 4:19 mins

Motivation through communication What Sir George Bull doesn’t know about the food and drink sector after more than 40 years in the business probably isn’t worth knowing. He suggests that sometimes a parody can be more effective as a …. Sir George Bull 5:09 mins

No brand is immortal As former chair of the BBC Board of Governors, Sir Christopher Bland is used to meeting challenges head-on and utilizing his unique mix of expertise and experience in a fast-paced industry. Here he ex…. Sir Christopher Bland 5:16 mins

Overcoming obstacles Your attitude to obstacles is important. Cobra Beer’s CEO Karan Bilimoria shows how you can win through by always looking for ways to turn obstacle into opportunity. He is the legendary entrepreneur w…. Lord Bilimoria 4:43 mins

Recruit for will rather than skill Karan Bilimoria shares the benefits of hiring the one with the can-do attitude and passes on tips for creating a fertile environment for such people. He is the legendary entrepreneur who risked it all…. Lord Bilimoria 3:39 mins

Unlocking potential There is little Sir David Bell doesn’t know about managing people in the cut-throat world of modern media. It’s his passion for getting the best out of those he works with that has helped sustain a gr…. Sir David Bell 3:38 mins

Dealing with negative behaviour in the workplace Business in the Community’s CEO John Cleverdon shares some insights into handling a problem every leader eventually has to face and doing it effectively. Julia Cleverdon 5:07 mins

Focus on what really matters IT entrepreneur, former Director General of the IoD and now Chair of the Design Council – George Cox is a corporate chameleon with a unique skillset honed over a varied and strong career. He argues th…. Sir George Cox 3:50 mins

Involve your people People leader Stephen Dando has successfully surfed the waves of change in some of the world’s biggest and best-known organisations, including the BBC, Guinness and Diageo. The BBC’s People Director s…. Stephen Dando 5:18 mins

Recruit talent not experience Don Cruickshank is renowned from public to private sector as an efficient operator who has left his mark on organisations from the National Health Service to Virgin to OFTEL. Experience and requisite …. Don Cruickshank 4:01 mins

The front line is the bottom line Straight-talking Julia Cleverdon has used her background and experience in industrial relations to take corporate social responsibility out of the back rooms and into the boardrooms. Engaging the peop…. Julia Cleverdon 6:25 mins

Tough conversations Every leader has to know how to steer a misfiring team back on track. Stephen Dando shares his insights into handling difficult situations. People leader Stephen Dando has successfully surfed the wave…. Stephen Dando 4:41 mins

Building brand awareness Serial entrepreneur Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou has become one of the UK’s best-loved business faces. His easyGroup has democratised air travel, the internet and cruising by mixing canny marketing with i…. Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou 2:15 mins

Cultivate leaders at all levels After spending forty years in the aircraft and transport industry, Sir Richard Evans has unparalleled knowledge of successful strategies and leadership in these fundamental sectors. Here he implores m…. Sir Richard Evans 3:34 mins

Don’t over detail Colin Day’s keen financial mind and direct approach have driven the financial strategies of internationally renowned companies such as Reckitt Benckiser, Aegis Group and easyJet. The devil is in the d…. Colin Day 3:11 mins

Exceed expectations Peter Ellwood followed a blue-chip path from his days at TSB to his current position atop chemical colossus ICI, always focusing on the need for strong leadership and a passion to develop your people….. Peter Ellwood 3:01 mins

Process improvement Don’t just preach achievement, attain it. Sir John Egan encourages leaders to clearly state their goals, then improve the processes of attaining those goals by empowering people to achieve them. Sir J…. Sir John Egan 4:52 mins

The person on the ground knows best The people at the top don’t know everything. To find out what can truly be achieved, Sir Richard Evans suggests it’s best to solicit advice from the people in the trenches. After spending forty years …. Sir Richard Evans 4:34 mins

Beware of optimistic forecasts The man voted ‘Travel Personality of the Year’ by his industry brought his dynamic leadership methods to every aspect of managing and growing the Hilton Group. People are natural optimists and this wi…. Sir David Michels 3:11 mins

Get senior management to experience your challenges One of the top women in private banking, Mel Lagomasino has a career that spans more than 30 years, one that she has loved since day one and one in which taking great risks helped her to reap great re…. Mel Lagomasino 3:10 mins

Good leaders need to be good teachers One of the best ways to broaden the experiences of junior staff is to have senior leaders teach what they’ve learned. Gill Rider shows that by doing this, organisations not only show how important tea…. Gill Rider 4:13 mins

How to let people go A distinguished and diverse career in the utilities industry has given John Roberts valuable insights into the process of change and the dynamics of leadership. Terminating an individual, notes John R…. John Roberts 5:08 mins

Listening to customers He grew Tesco from a minnow to a giant and then chaired the world’s number two wireless phone services provider. Lord MacLaurin’s experience and succession planning skills are unrivaled. A good relati…. Lord MacLaurin 3:58 mins

Make or break decisions Michael Jackson is a man who knows how to spot an early stage business opportunity. His entrepreneurial spirit enabled the Sage Group to grow into a giant of the computing industry and has recently ta…. Michael Jackson 5:27 mins

Prepare thoroughly and know your audience Harvard Business School’s Rosabeth Moss Kanter is a prolific author feted for her guidance to corporations and governments alike, where her work on strategy, innovation and leadership has been a sourc…. Rosabeth Moss Kanter 4:53 mins

Putting business interests above personalities A veteran of the financial field, Sir Peter Middleton has gained unique and valuable experiences working alongside Margaret Thatcher, and put his elder statesman capabilities to good use at Barclays. …. Sir Peter Middleton 4:14 mins

Repeat your message simply and consistently Sir Michael Rake was determined that the business world should learn the lessons of Enron. So the staunch advocate of responsible business is taking KPMG forward with strong leadership and a drive for…. Sir Michael Rake 4:54 mins

Risk innovation A passion for managing his people and developing leaders is what has made Neil Holloway tick as he has risen through the ranks of one of the world’s most successful companies. Balancing innovative ide…. Neil Holloway 4:46 mins

The business case for gender diversity Formerly an Accenture lifer who championed diversity issues at the firm, Gill’s experience and insights across these important aspects of business are similarly valued at the Cabinet Office. The more …. Gill Rider 5:05 mins

Trust is the key to winning business Formerly an Accenture lifer who championed diversity issues at the firm, Gill’s experience and insights across these important aspects of business are similarly valued at the Cabinet Office. One of th…. Gill Rider 2:53 mins

Follow it up He’s best known to the public as the tough-talking, take-no-prisoners star of I’ll Show Them Who’s Boss. But behind his TV persona lie thirty years of business know-how. If people work their socks off…. Sir Gerry Robinson 3:42 mins

Invest time in building teams Paul Skinner’s forty years of experience in the extractive industries make him a force to be reckoned with. He’s a man who knows a thing or two about international business. A good team of people is a…. Paul Skinner 5:33 mins

Letting people go KPMG heavy-hitter Lord Sharman brings a wealth of experience to his current role as Chairman of Aegis, and has learned a valuable thing or two about developing people over his career. Letting go of st…. Lord Sharman 2:40 mins

Openness The legendary and well-loved founder of The Body Shop’s policies of fair trade and corporate social responsibility were way ahead of her time; her lessons are just as far-sighted. One of the problems …. Dame Anita Roddick 3:18 mins

Attention to detail From a wire-works in Kent to worldwide domination: not only is Sir Martin Sorrell a shrewd operator when it comes to acquisitions, but he knows a thing or two about global business too. Here he shares…. Sir Martin Sorrell 4:28 mins

Change today not tomorrow John Whybrow’s distinguished career in the constantly changing world of electronics is built on solid corporate foundations and principles, with a long-held belief in the importance of listening to em…. John Whybrow 4:29 mins

Defining problems correctly Sir David Varney’s leadership prowess has seen him successfully steer companies as different as Shell and mm02 forward. The secret of the man equally at home in the private or public sector? Never fea…. Sir David Varney 5:06 mins

Doing the right thing ‘Team Nationwide’ is a subject close to Philip Williamson’s heart; and living out his belief in the power of teamwork has certainly served him to good effect throughout his career. Ethical business is…. Philip Williamson 4:31 mins

Driving change Healthcare development, poverty eradication and disaster relief logistics are all in a day’s work for Barbara Stocking, who brings keen strategic nous to her role as Director of Oxfam GB. Here she off…. Barbara Stocking 3:26 mins

Monitor your business environment and anticipate change Paul Skinner’s forty years of experience in the extractive industries make him a force to be reckoned with. He is a man who knows a thing or two about international business. No business operates in a…. Paul Skinner 4:15 mins

Persevere in the face of adversity A key member of Britain’s marketing powerhouse, Dianne Thompson has breathed new life into tired brands and pulled off the nigh-impossible over the course of her successful and varied career. She argu…. Dianne Thompson 4:37 mins

Stick to business principles John Whybrow encourages managers to find clarity amidst chaos by sticking to business principles. John Whybrow’s distinguished career in the constantly changing world of electronics is built on solid …. John Whybrow 3:06 mins

The importance of a visible leader Spokesman for the UK’s best-known entrepreneur; caretaker of the Virgin brand; space tourism expert: Will Whitehorn is a man at the top of his game. The buck stops where? Virgin Group’s Will Whitehorn…. Will Whitehorn 2:21 mins

Using emotional discipline when handling risk This former banker, writer and photographer is equally at home in the public or private sector. The widely differing careers of James Strachan have given him a unique combination of creativity and bus…. James Strachan 2:06 mins

Find your personal communication style A current Professor at the Haas School of Business at the University of California and a former Dean of the London Business School, President Clinton’s former National Economic Advisor shares the wisd…. Laura Tyson 3:36 mins

Take ownership of your own development A professor who has worked at the cream of global academic institutions, Jay Conger has also been extensively published and is acknowledged as a worldwide expert on leadership. Organisations often tak…. Professor Jay Conger 6:03 mins

ACTIONABLE INSIGHTS >>> KNOWLEDGE YOU CAN TRUST >>> ENJOY IT!

>BOOST O2 >> BUSINESS MANAGEMENT > A selection of new books from the CMI Library

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Buy-In, John Kotter.      The authors reveal how to come to the rescue of good ideas by winning the support needed to protect good ideas so that they can survive. A fictional narrative is presented through which the authors demonstrate how to respectfully engage objectors and adversaries with convincing responses. A five-point strategy for fending off attacks on ideas is presented. The core of the strategy is respect and respecting people who are offering comments or asking questions that can undermine support. The authors argue that by anticipating the attack strategies used by detractors they can be turned to your advantage. The book is divided into two parts. Part one demonstrates how an idea is saved by using the counter intuitive strategies promoted in the book. The second part goes into detail about four ways in which good ideas are killed, twenty-four attacks and twenty-four responses, and a quick-reference guide for saving good ideas.

Giant steps: creating innovations that change the way we work,
Mol, Michael J; Birkinshaw, Julian.          A compilation is offered of 50 giant steps in management in which the key innovations in management practice over the last century are fluently described. The authors condense a wealth of knowledge into brief 3-4 page overviews of each innovation complete with insights and anecdotes relating to each step. The concepts are grouped into six categories; process, money, people, internal structures, customer and partner interfaces and innovation and strategy. The book includes stories of the management innovators at the centre of these concepts.

Open leadership: how social technology can transform the way you lead,
Li, Charlene.      In Open Leadership, the author provides a discussion and examination of the impact on the enterprise of social media and on how it can transform leadership. The book describes how and why social media technologies are affecting a shift away from centralised management to a style of open, collaborative leadership. The book is in three major sections, demonstrating and defining Openness, creating an Open strategy, and establishing Open leadership. Examples and guidelines to guide organisations through planning and executing an Open strategy are included as well as case examples from CISCO, Ford, Best Buy and others.

ACTIONABLE INSIGHTS >>> KNOWLEDGE YOU CAN TRUST >>> ENJOY IT!

>BOOST O2 >> LIFE >> The BEST way for delivering bad news >> TIPS

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10 tips for delivering bad news

By Calvin Sun

No one loves the messenger who brings bad news. — Sophocles

Giving someone bad news is never easy, but there are right ways and wrong ways of going about it. Calvin Sun has some advice on the best methods for sharing unpleasant information.

During the course of your career, you may have to deliver bad news to someone. That bad news could go to a subordinate, a client, or your boss. The way you handle the situation and yourself can have an impact on your career and your stress level. Here are some tips.

1: Set and manage expectations beforehand if you can

Sometimes, bad news comes completely unexpectedly…  If you believe that something you attempt might turn out unfavorably for a client or customer, let that person know first. Above all, be careful about guaranteeing results or saying that a particular outcome is a “sure thing.”
If necessary, outline all the risks and potential issues that might prevent the desired result.
You may not always be able to do this. But if you can set expectations, your job of delivering bad news will be much easier.

2: Do a proper setup for the moment

Don’t deliver bad news casually or in passing. Set up a time to talk with the other person. If you need to deliver the news right at the moment, say, “I need to talk with you about [the matter].” In other words, establish a setting and a context for the conversation, instead of just springing the news.

3: Get to the point

I’ve never known bad news to improve with keeping. The late actor Sir Alec Guinness delivered this memorable line in the 1980 movie Little Lord Fauntleroy. Yes, some people do like to preface the bad news with background information and details of everything they did and everything they tried. Better, though, simply to cut to the chase and tell the person the bad news. Chances are, that person won’t even be listening to all your preliminary words anyway.

4: Explain the background and give details

After you give the bad news, you can provide background and details. In particular, you will want to explain what happened as well as the steps you took. The person who gets your bad news will want to know this information and probably has a right to know it.

5: Be sitting down

Delivering the news to someone while both of you are sitting offers two advantages. First, if God forbid the person should faint, the chances of injury are decreased. Second, a discussion that happens while seated has less chance of getting emotionally out of control. In plain terms: it is harder to physically fight someone when you’re seated than when you’re standing.

6: Be sensitive to physical position

In the same way, be sensitive to how you are seated relative to the other person. If you’re behind a desk, keep in mind that that desk can serve as a psychological as well as physical barrier. If you feel comfortable doing so, and if you believe the other person is comfortable, consider sitting on the same side, or at least sitting at right angles. Either way, you will have signaled that are “on that person’s side.”

7: Separate yourself from the message

Sometimes the bad news you deliver is not your fault. Even so, the person who hears it will take out his or frustration on you. The classic example, of course, is the help desk analyst who tells a caller that the system or network will be down for another three hours. If you are that hapless analyst, be prepared to be the messenger who gets shot. Unfortunately, it comes with the territory. However, the more you can remind yourself that they aren’t upset at you personally, the greater the chances of keeping your stress under control.

8: Be sympathetic

Remember that when you deliver bad news to a person, you must deal with two issues: the technical matter of the news itself, but also the emotional reaction to the bad news. In fact, this emotional reaction is the aspect of your encounter that is far more critical. To reduce the chances of being the shot messenger, let the other person know that you are aware of their emotional reaction. You need not be a Dr. Phil, but a simple “I’m sorry about this situation” or “I’m sorry to have to tell you this” can work wonders.

9: Reframe the situation

Maybe the bad news you are delivering concerns your (or your group’s) inability to achieve some objective. Nonetheless, is there any silver lining news you can give? In other words, can you reframe the situation? Maybe they didn’t get the 20% productivity increase they expected; maybe instead they got only 15%. Rather than compare 20% to 15%, you might want to compare 15% to 0%. Similarly, maybe you were able to restore only three of the four weeks of data they lost. Of course, they would have preferred to recover all four weeks. But isn’t three weeks of recovered data better than none? This approach is not meant as en endorsement of mediocrity, but rather an attempt to get the other person to see things a different way.

10: Offer alternatives

If you must deliver bad news, maybe that bad result need not be the end of things. Do you have a plan to address or resolve the situation? If so, keep it in mind and offer to share it with the other person or group after you have delivered the bad news. In doing so, you will demonstrate a willingness to work through the problem and an ability to think and plan ahead. If the person receiving bad news is a key client or your boss, planning ahead could be valuable to your future.

Note: This article is also available as a PDF download.

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Related articles

• Reframe: It Will Change Your Life (patbaileylifecoach.wordpress.com)
• Help me understand my emotional responses. (ask.metafilter.com)
• Hating On the Employed (morganwvublog.wordpress.com)
• How Pressure and Stress Affect Our Performance (peopletriggers.wordpress.com)

ACTIONABLE INSIGHTS >>> KNOWLEDGE YOU CAN TRUST >>> ENJOY IT!