Comments

Tom, Charles Handy and yourself were the two people who opened my eyes to business/management/leadership issues and their connection to other human issues and life in general/the bigger picture. You both have, in your different ways, given the gift of passion/intelligence/accessibility combined. We can often find two of the three together, but all three are very rare (in my experience) I wish I could have been there in Manchester to capture your contrasting styles. Long may you both continue to do what you do

Posted by tomjam at March 9, 2007 9:53 AM

I had the absolute joy of seeing Charles Handy last year in Birmingham and found him inspiring. I love the way he wrote with pens on his overheads in the ‘old fashioned’ way – no PowerPoint - no glitz - no frills - just a fantastic story teller. Charles Handy has a unique style that inspires confidence. Tom - you might be ‘noisier’ in your own words but you are equally powerful.

In the same conference I saw Professor Handy I also saw Michael Porter and did not get anywhere near the same ‘buzz.’ Different style and of course different topic. Some people were inspired by Professor Porter and that is fine – just give me Charles Handy or Tom Peters every time.

Tom - you should have taken in Manchester United's evening match on Wednesday to see REAL football! :-)

Posted by Trevor Gay at March 9, 2007 10:28 AM

1. Please sir front-liner Trevor ... real football is the NFL and more so the World Champion Super Bowl 2-Week Party ... a 1-0 Manchester win is like enduring a root canal for REAL men ... :>] ... nevertheless Posh Spice is loved in LA LA land ... & Keeley @ Sean-land ...

Posted by sean_super_bowl at March 9, 2007 10:49 AM

Sean - you need to be aware that a) only the adolescent, intellectually disadvantaged and/or clinically deranged actually enjoy "football" (or soccer everyone else calls it); b) a small subset of deviants within this group profess allegiance to something called "Manchester United," a club that all right-thinking human beings regard with heaps and heaps of disdain; and c) real football is Rugby Football - a game played by Real Men with Both Brains and Brawn: not the over-paid wussies who nancy around a soccer pitch and not the armour-plated wimps who take part in one brief gridiron play before going off for oxygen and a commercial break :-)

Posted by Mark JF at March 9, 2007 11:22 AM

Sean

‘World Champion’ Super Bowl – come on my buddy – we all know on this side of the pond that the Super Bowl is just a parochial private American tournament that you laughingly call ‘world championship’ I am going to surprise and disappoint you now and let you into a secret …. There actually are a few places outside the US coastline –we are all a bit insignificant but we do exist and we are called – ‘the rest of the world.’ By the way …. Why do your guys wear all that ridiculous safety gear – are they not real men?

Mark JF – Isn’t rugby that game played by men with odd shaped balls?

I”M VERY PROUD TO BE adolescent, intellectually disadvantaged and/or clinically deranged – member of a group professing allegiance to Manchester United

The greatest thing about being a Manchester United fan is that the rest of football looks UP at us all the time.

Yours ….With great affection and suitable Manchester United arrogance

Trevor

Posted by Trevor Gay at March 9, 2007 11:38 AM

1. It must be Friday ... clearly ALL English live in London - what is a Manchester therefore - a villa - a summer home perhaps?

Posted by sean_friday at March 9, 2007 11:48 AM

Great response Sean – 15 all

The American tourist who looked down his nose when he saw the small English farm commented to the farmer

‘Call that a farm? - You know buddy - back home in Texas it takes me all day to drive around my ranch’

The English farmer scratched his head – looked him in the eye and replied;

‘Yeah … I had a car like that once’

Posted by Trevor Gay at March 9, 2007 11:59 AM

1. Trevor & Mark - this is perfect Wiki [TP post below] ... take a sincere TP post & in a genius way - defile & make a mockery of it & everything it stands for ... thank you for your brilliance ... and then have a Diet Peach Snapple to celebrate ...

Posted by sean_wiki_defile at March 9, 2007 12:10 PM

Sean- I suggest we now return to the sober professional types we are :-) ...Hey ... boys will always be boys.

Posted by Trevor Gay at March 9, 2007 12:15 PM

Personally, of the Handy family, I prefer Jack to Charles.

"If trees could scream, would we be so cavalier about cutting them down? We might, if they screamed all the time, for no good reason." - Jack Handy

Posted by Eric Ralph at March 9, 2007 12:26 PM

Tom

Do you want to learn more about "know yourself" - that is understanding your own values first before you attempt to lead others?

If so put aside whatever gripes you have with Jim Collins and read his stuff on Level 5 Leadership. Jim is still the best in the world on this stuff right now.... He is contemporary and easy to read and to understand... Plus his stuff is backed up by field work....

I have been banging on about this stuff for several years now.... I beleive it is important to have "a clear and present purpose in your life" - my blogs on my site are all about this all the time - I feel so strongly about this stuff I wrote a thirty day course on it (on my blog) and gave it away free (naturally) ... To have a clear purpose you have to know who you are warts and all....

For the really good stuff on purpose I refer you to the organisational work of Pastor Rick Warren - A Purpose Driven Church...

As for banging on about women's issues... I was on the front line of the revolution with Germain Geer, Elizabeth Reid, et al ... It was a blast when they all got together to establish International Women's Year - it was established at Conference in Mexico, etc. The fight for equal pay still goes on I know... The glass ceiling has been lifted but there is still more to do - there is always still more to do...

Yeah women do shop differently - mainly they shop whereas men raid the shops on a hit and run exercise - but it is now time that women's issues were put to rest... They can look out for themselves... Surely they do not need TP telling businesses how to cater for women???...

If women in this day and age can not do that for themselves then a lot of us wasted a lot of our youth needlessly - yours truly included...

Tom take my tip read some Jim Collins and Rick Warren - better still give them a call (on Skype of course).

Richard

Posted by Richard Lipscombe at March 9, 2007 3:12 PM

Don't know Jack Handy, but certainly know of Tommy Handley, the former British "Minister of Aggravation and Mysteries at the Office of Twerps" (ITMA, 1939). Let's hope TP and Charles Handy are reforming his successors ...

Posted by Mike L at March 9, 2007 7:06 PM

Tom,

I had the very real pleasure of attending your presentation in Manchester, England, on Tuesday of this week and very much enjoyed the content, style and messages from the event.

I am a great believer in 'doing stuff' and moved out of direct manufacturing into professional services 4 1/2 years ago to support manufacturing industry by the provision of exemplary recruitment and business development services.

Something struck me about your message; we invest considerable time and effort cajoling and encouraging our kids to 'do stuff' so that they learn and feel many different experiences. Why do we stop doing that when we are adults?

I wish you continuing success for the future and may we continue to be 'kid-like' in our activities!!

Posted by Steve Bennett at March 10, 2007 9:58 AM

I was in Manchester on Wednesday and the experience is still in the front of my mind on Saturday evening despite the Middlesburgh v Man U live game that is on my TV right now. Both Tom and Charles Handy in their uniquely different ways presented compelling and challenging cases for change, business and personal. Their personal example is compelling and the question in my mind is still "what do I have to do to respond?" I would be interested to know if/how many of the lucky folks who were with us in Manchester on Wednesday have gone back to work and changed anything, personal or corporate? That's the point of it all, isn't it?

Posted by Richard King at March 10, 2007 2:06 PM

Richard King

I did not have the pleasure of being at Manchester but I have seen Tom and Charles (not together - that must have been strange)...

The point is to be fulfilled, to have a purpose, to take action, to realise what great opportunities you have, etc, etc. The point is you really do not have to change anything to do that BUT if you do that then you will make changes in your own life and then you will lead others simply by showing the way.....

Richard L.

Posted by Richard Lipscombe at March 10, 2007 3:31 PM

1. Richard - wonderful that you are on hind legs coming up with such clear thinking gems as:

"... women's issues ... I was on the front line of the revolution with Germain Geer [sic], Elizabeth Reid, et al ..."

2. ... such perfect lapdog rendering ... you and Tom dueling to see who is the ultimate radical '07 feminist ...

3. ... clearly you must challenge Tom to perhaps a chocolate tofu eating contest - followed by a "radical shop-'til-you-drop" marathon Rodeo Drive excursion ... winner gets $100k voucher for free 90210 sex-change operation ... :>] ...

Posted by sean_testosterone at March 10, 2007 4:19 PM

Age of Unreason continues the be one of the Top 10 Business Books of All Time. Truth!

Posted by Jack Covert at March 10, 2007 6:10 PM

Sean

No contest at all - I am simply not interest in the subject you speak of so I wish Tom all the best in 07 with his women's issues.... BUT I do still have things I feel passionate about.. I have not yet found the wisdom I seek because I still get "pissed off" at people sometimes.. Especially the Johnny come lately types who jump onto a geniune cause/struggle/movement, set of ideas, or paradigm shift that has been going on for decades or even centuries.. These types then go on to claim so much simply because they have arrived...

As you know, I think, my basic "know yourself" concept is Clear Space Thinking and as you also know it is all about being beyond the reach of your best competitor - so I had better "stick to knitting" in 07... There is after all so much to do and so little time now that I have taken on the minimalist "vow of luxury"...

I do not have time to waste on ranting and raving about things that are ancient (and I mean ancient) history (do not even remember how to spell Germs' name any more!!!)... There is so much that is positive and yet to be worked out about our new and emerging virtual world... So thanks for your timely reminder and your swift kick up the .....

More importantly has my mate John (Prime Minister Howard) sent you your tickets and schedule for your Grand Tour Down Under?

Stay well and keep probing for the truth.... The truth will set you free!!!

Always fun hearing from you....

Richard

Posted by Richard Lipscombe at March 10, 2007 7:52 PM

Just a random organizational leadership grad, student spinning around checking out the different lead. sites.

If any in this crown would know some good leadership branding literature please let me know. Personal branding is new to me and I would like to see if there is any lead. stuff.

Posted by Jared at March 10, 2007 9:48 PM

I was lucky enough to attend the conference in Manchester. I had seen Charles Handy speak before in 1999 and was not dissapointed this week. Tom was simply one of the hundred or so names that I learnt whilst doing my MBA, but he too was equally inspiring and thought provoking.

As for what I do now, well I sat there on Wednesday thinking that it would be great if I could attend a thought provoking event like this several times a year and not once every 8 years !

Posted by Peter Whiers at March 11, 2007 2:47 AM

1. Richard - Tom & Charles & Richard are authentic because you get to the essence of freedom & free enterprise ...

2. Am also a fan of PM Howard - thanks for the invite ... one should be so lucky as to win a trip to Australia - & then to run into Elle perhaps!

3. Appreciate the "conservation of resources" Vow of Luxury interest ... sending rain your way ...

Posted by sean_minimal at March 11, 2007 3:42 PM

Sean - thanks for your kind thoughts - the rain will be more welcome than Elle at my place right now!!!

Richard

Posted by Richard Lipscombe at March 11, 2007 4:02 PM

Peter Whiers

It is so uplifting to listen to people you admire and respect talk about things you would love to be able to do at your place - work, home, life, etc.

Here is my unsolicited advice - first treat this bit of advice like all other advice: that is with a grain of salt....

If you feel you need to be intellectually stimulated every few months then you are probably professionally bored... Yeah bored...

Possible remedial actions:

- accept that your MBA is merely a set of tools not information, knowledge, and definitely not wisdom about business
- find out what it is at work, home, liesure time, etc that really presses your buttons
- choose to be with positive, energetic, and expansive people - that is friends, colleagues, family memembers, etc.
- change your mindsets before you try to change your physical world - for example you could try being inclusive of people who you find annoying, disruptive, arrogant, etc because they may stimulate your thinking.
- read widely and definitely read outside your professional interests - biographies might stimulate you
- read Seth Godin's blog - 1 out of 50 of them might be an absolute gem for you - he gave me and some colleagues the key to understanding a new business model that we have just built....
- stay open and always be an honest critic of your own and other's actions.....
- listen to everyone's advice but keep your own counsel....

Trust this gives you food for thought which leads you to your own designated actions...

Good luck...

Richard.

Posted by Richard Lipscombe at March 11, 2007 4:21 PM

Peter - Richard's advice is excellent. I would add;

*Find people who inspire you by their writing
*Seek out Blogs.
*Create your own ‘thought provoking event’ virtually (through Blog discussion) every day so that you don’t have to wait 8 years! *Most of all retain your own passion and your own self belief.
I believe our greatest strength is always within.

Icons like Handy and Peters inspire my thinking more than any others. I have also learned it is good not to be ‘too narrow’ in my reading.

Posted by Trevor Gay at March 11, 2007 5:05 PM

Richard K - I like your taste in TV :-)

'I was in Manchester on Wednesday and the experience is still in the front of my mind on Saturday evening despite the Middlesburgh v Man U live game that is on my TV right now.'

Posted by Trevor Gay at March 11, 2007 5:07 PM

Charles Handy is great modern thinker and prolific writer and if you haven't read his recent book, "Myself and other more important matters" I recommend you do so. It's a very interesting story and effective guide to examining values and life in general.

I had the great fortune to meet Charles and Elizabeth Handy about 10 years ago and we developed a transatlantic friendship that brings us together about once a year. He is one of the most gracious, humble and down to earth people you will ever encounter and a great cook too!

Posted by Peter A. Mello at March 11, 2007 6:46 PM

1. Peter - lapdogs' Richard & Trevor are amusing indeed ... main deal is: "Greed is Awesome" 10 times before sleep & @ awakening ...

Posted by sean_luxury at March 12, 2007 8:14 AM

You guys are all nuts--and wonderful. Thanks for the thoughyful and madcap remarks. What a lovely tool blogging is ...

Posted by tom peters at March 13, 2007 9:03 PM

Tom

Fantastic morning in M/C. I wore a red Mickey Mouse tie and you signed my copy of Re-imagine. You didn't take my question, having promised so here it is, with the answer, of course.

It was about your research methods and why academics hate you so much. Chris Tel replied that you are not interested in theory building, just action research. Therefore, you will like this from Hofstede's Cultures and Organizations:

"During the Industrial revolution which originated in the West 200 years ago, the concern for Truth was an asset. ... By the middle of the twentieth century, the Western concern for Truth had turned into a liability. Science may benefit from analytical thinking, but management and government are based on the art of synthesis"

Fancy co-authoring a paper? I'll do all the work if you supply the brand! Cheers John Vaughan

Posted by john vaughan (aka The Headingley Bugle) at March 15, 2007 12:00 PM

John Vaughan

Perhaps the most interesting change I have noted in organisations - both business and government - over the past few decades is that they do their own theory building. The academics are often merely commentators on the new business models and ways of doing business that companies pursue. Dell is one company example of this and I see that now that the Dell model has been found wanting they are about to up the ante - they are probably going to load up Linux software.

My latest gig - as an advisor - has just been done and dusted. It was so exciting to be "hands on" with some of the smartest young people I have ever worked with so it was a complete and utter joy for me. I leant so much about organisations from this gig. I learnt about the issues at the cutting edge of a business that has very tight margins and high costs of service - ie healthcare. I have never worked in this sector before - except for a short stint advising a govt. on long-term policies for a National Healtcare System but that of course was not "hands on" like this.

The result is a new global busness model for healthcare for my client. Together we also built a "virtual incubator" that will allow them to innovate in practical and cost efficient ways. The CEO and the Board will be able to track each innovative idea from blog to completed project and hand out the appropriate rewards to the successful innovative teams within their organisation. They currently have an annual innovation awards night but it is more a popularity contest than a celebration of revenue raising or cost cutting innovations.

Richard

Posted by Richard Lipscombe at March 15, 2007 4:04 PM