On the path to liberate our hidden artists, both as individuals and in organisations, we take a pit stop in connection. Connection has three levels which, if we are conscious of their subtle differences, we can start to tackle them in an order which has the most effectiveness in the long-term: connection to ourselves, connection to others and connection to the system[...]
In this pit stop of connection, your approach to connection with others is crucial if you want to fully liberate your creativity. With a greater number of connections, you have more opportunities to act on your creativity, collaborate and share your work with the world. With a deeper strength of connection, you have the improved ability to imagine better ideas as[...]
In the middle of the three levels of connection, we have connecting to others. When we’re looking at connection, either as individuals or as organisations, this is where we often start. Connecting meaningfully to other people is crucially important to our happiness, health and wellbeing. That’s not something to argue against. What I would argue against is that[...]
Connecting to our true self has a dark side. There are mountains to climb and the risk that our life won’t be the same afterwards. If you’re willing to scale the mountain, you’ll be rewarded with a deep sense of personal acceptance, better decision-making skills and improved creativity. There’s no shortcut through the mountains, but there are ways to make[...]
From the three levels of connection we have connecting to ourselves, connecting to others and connecting to the system. In my consulting and coaching process I sometimes start with exploring people’s connection to the system through asking questions to make the system, that is often invisible, clearer and visible. But I also frequently start with exploring pe[...]
I am a systems thinker. That means I see everything as interconnected; everything links together, and when one part changes, the whole system changes. Not everyone thinks like that. I think now, more than ever, people are wrapping their heads around the idea that nothing exists in isolation. But I’d like to suggest how you can build a clearer picture of the ‘s[...]
Connection occurs between two or more points. Here to there, A to B, Alexander Graham Bell to his assistant Mr Watson. We know that we are here and we are looking to connect to something that is over there. But what, or who, is it? What are we reaching out for? There are three points we’re trying to connect to when we look at connection, either as individ[...]
If connection feels difficult for you, as an individual, a team member or a leader, start with an imaginative exercise. Imagine we are all, inherently, connected. You might like to explain this with science and the space between molecules, or you might like to explain it with spiritualism and energy waves. Either way, the belief (or the pretence) is the same:[...]
On the path to liberate the hidden artist, this season turns my attention to reaching further outwards. In spring we were galvanising energy and power to move forward; now, it’s time to connect. With this phase, my world here in the UK is moving into summer. Small changes tell me it’s happening. sprouting leaves are nowhere to be seen on Monday and Tuesday tak[...]