Why is leadership authenticity elusive?

Being a leader is a role we play. Authenticity is something else entirely.

Today, many leadership coaches and advisors are trying to condition their clients to be more ‘authentic.’ These clients simply nod their heads, but have no clue what that means.

Being authentic to oneself offers us freedom, beyond conditions and conditioning.

Authenticity is akin to beingness. In this state, we are like an unfettered majestic bird with unclipped wings, soaring high.

If we slow down, rest, stay present, calm our minds, and observe closely, we can come to the realisation that our true nature is way beyond our personality.

OUR CHILDHOOD

Children from all cultural backgrounds carry a degree of emotional wounding and bodily closure - a spiritual sense of loss, which few of us escape from until the end of our lives. In that precious moment when death comes calling, we no longer need our personality to save us.

All children slowly gain an inner sense of h...

I had a positive day with the Zero Positive (ZP) Team again today. We dove deeper into our ongoing strategy conversation.

I couldn't have asked for a more passionate team to work with.

ZP is on a successful mission to provide precise, data-driven climate change solutions to measure CO2 emissions and promote awareness and behavioural change.

In today's world, where greenwashing is losing credibility, and climate change costs are on the rise, ZP is gaining significant interest, investment and sales.

ZP have shifted my understanding of our grave human impacts and how ZP can help the most responsible of corporates measure and correct their course.

These words from 4 years ago ring truer today than ever:

“You have stolen my dreams and my childhood with your empty words. And yet I'm one of the lucky ones. People are suffering. People are dying. Entire ecosystems are collapsing. We are at the beginning of a mass extinction, and all you can talk about is money and fairy tales of eternal economic gro...

Scenic Rim Business Awards 

I am honoured to be appointed as a Judge for the upcoming Scenic Rim Business Awards, an event that celebrates business excellence across the Scenic Rim.

Queensland’s Scenic Rim is renowned for its breathtaking scenery, wineries, art galleries, bushwalking trails, equine facilities, agriculture, horticulture and welcoming rural communities, which include Beaudesert, Boonah, Tamborine Mountain, Kooralbyn, Beechmont, Kalbar, Aratula, Canungra, Rathdowney, Harrisville and Peak Crossing.

Here is a list of award categories along with past winners:

Excellence in Tourism and Accommodation: Tamborine Mountain Distillery

Excellence in Hospitality - Food and Dining: Scenic Rim Brewery

Excellence in Retail: My Country Escape

Excellence in Trades and Construction: Hobbs Building and Interiors

Excellence in Transport, Logistics, Manufacturing, and Mining: Joint winners Australian Lawn Concepts and RV Tanks Australia

Excellence in Professional and Community Servi...

This Saturday, we will bury my mother's ashes near Torquay.

August and September have been challenging months for Dad, my sisters and I since Mum’s passing, but the outpouring of love and support from so many people has been truly heartwarming.

First and foremost, I want to express my deepest gratitude to our family, relatives and dear friends. Your unwavering support, comforting words and gentle presence have been a source of comfort and renewed strength for us during this time of grief.

Neighbours and colleagues alike have all been kind and understanding.

To the healthcare professionals and caregivers at Epworth Hospital who provided exceptional care to my mother during her final week, we are indebted to you. Your compassion made her final journey more comfortable.

The Torquay Unity Church and Reverend Bob Thomas were pillars of support at our time of sorrow and at the funeral. The team from Kings Funerals was always kind, flexible, and professional in their care.

Lastly, to al...

Announcing two exciting Grants-Funded-Programs for Small Businesses.

Are you the driving force behind a Queensland business of 2 to 19 dedicated individuals?

If so, you can elevate your business with one of John Hale’s two programs that will:

•   Amplify Turnover, Profit, and Employment
•   Elevate Business Confidence and Skills
•   Strengthen Business Resilience and Long-Term Sustainability

The Department of Youth Justice, Employment, Small Business and Training's (DYJESBT) boost grant initiative, is offering a substantial $10,000 to $20,000 in funding!

This involves three-stage application process:

Stage 1: Registration of Interest (ROI) - September 6th to September 12th, 2023.

Stage 2: Comprehensive Application - September 20th to October 10th, 2023.

Stage 3: Submission of Verified Accountant's Letter.

To apply please visit  www.business.qld.gov.au/starting-business/advice-support/grants/business-boost

PROGRAMS

In alignment with the Business Boost Grants Program's vision,...

This week I had the pleasure of facilitating the second of three strategy sessions with Zero Positive, using The Strategy Book as a resource.
 
In our first session, last month, we addressed the most important strategy question of all, “What is really going on here?” We sensed the environment and looked beyond the horizon to paint a clear and at times bleak picture of our world’s repeated feeble attempts to address climate change.
 
Our second session yesterday addressed the second most important strategy question, “What are our options?”
 
Working individually and then in groups we fleshed out some cool options for the business. Creative juices were still flowing today when one of the group members shared an idea she had overnight for creating a climate friendly kitchen and inviting Al Gore to share a meal with Zero Positive’s Founders, Alliance Partners, and Volunteers.
 
She also shared that she has been reading a great book called ‘Braiding Sweetgrass’ from which she quotes:

“Philosopher Jo...

Both my mother and I were born in South Australia.

She was the third daughter of Ernest and Dorothy Walsh; her father was a Baptist Minister. Mum was many things: a wife, writer, harp player, auntie, poet, gardener, homemaker, teacher, seamstress, cook, historian, bodyboarder, grandmother, social justice champion, church volunteer, Rotarian, knitter, author, playwright, animal lover, community leader and public speaker.

In her life, Mum fought for nuclear disarmament, the environment and refugee children in detention. She had a brilliant bullshit meter and was deeply saddened by recent life events - like the uncovering of the child sexual abuse sickness that plagued the Church. Mum was horrified by the political rise of so-called leaders, like the hopelessly 'self-serving Morrison' and the dispassionate and 'always uninspiring' Dutton.

Mum's journey through this world was guided by eulogy virtues, not resume virtues, which these days are a rare thing. I never saw my Mum's resume bec...

Be a better captain of your ship.

Tip the scales on your ship from 'what just happened' to 'we make things happen.’

The Strategy Book will help you be like ‘Jack Sparrow on Steroids.’

In today's ever-changing business oceans, the word 'strategy' may have lost some appeal. But with constant storms and increasing digital connectivity, a well-crafted strategy is more critical than ever.

Don't let past painful strategy adventures deter you. The key to success in navigating the waves lies in cultivating a Strategic Mindset.

Education through action is the key to learning! The Strategy Book provides dozens of seaworthy illustrations, insights, activities and ideas to help you excel in business.

Buy your copy of The Strategy Book here (with free shipping ;-) www.halecg.com/store

#thestrategybook

#thestrategyguy

#strategicmindset

When it comes to strategies for a happy life, one of the greatest obstacles is FOMO (fear of missing out) and something economists term Hyperbolic Discounting, where people opt for short-term gains that come at the expense of long-term benefits.

Long-term results come from thinking strategically.

Strategy in life and business is hard. We need to accept our ignorance and learn to think better.

Most business owners share that they don’t make the time to work on strategy, and almost as many say they don’t have the strategic mindset needed to be more strategic.

A beginning point in becoming strategic can be to ask three fundamental questions:

Q1. What is really going on here?
Q2. What are our options?
Q3. What will we do?

Let's take longevity, for example.

Q1. What is really going on here?

Many people want to live a long life but party like it’s 1999.

Stressful jobs, big mortgages, buying the latest fashion, lots of air travel, eating fast and processed foods, taking recreational drugs, binging on al...