Welcome to the second edition of the Cadence Catch-Up!
I’m delighted to report you are now part of a community with over 160 subscribers! That really gives me the energy to keep going, and improve every edition. Thank you for your ongoing interest and support.
The theme I’ve been thinking about most this month is “real learning never stops”. Since launching Cadence Leadership Advisory I’ve had to come to grips – often quickly – with web design, LinkedIn marketing and facilitating workshops remotely. All of these skills were relatively new to me. But what I’ve found is, there is no shortage of help and support available (online, or real people). If you want to learn something new, there are ample ways to find out more. And the confidence you get from having another skill in the toolkit gives you room to crave more learning. Let me expand on this theme through the pieces I’ve selected to highlight this month.
WHY THE WORD UPSKILLING SHOULDN’T PUT YOU OFF
Mention upskilling and it can set off negative emotions. It can trigger the “I’m 40 and I’ve got to go back to school” mindset. But it shouldn’t. There are so many easily accessible means of upskilling around – short courses, microcredentials – even an informative podcast can set you on track to finding out more about a subject that interests you and increases your value in the workplace.
In his article for BBC Worklife, Bryan Lufkin highlights that undertaking any form of upskilling signals positive intent to your current and/or future employers; and it creates motivation, especially if you are now working remotely and missing some of the energy that working closely with others creates. Upskilling could be the step that extends your current career path, or opens doors to a new field. What’s holding you back?
WE SHOULD DROP THE “S” FROM ESG, FOR EXAMPLE
During the month I was privileged to have a thought leadership article featured by Advisory Board Centre in its monthly newsletter. The advent of environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles is a huge step forward for leaders, investors and other stakeholders interested in ethical and responsible activity by organisations. While the E, S and G are clearly intertwined, I argue that the lack of Social data being readily available leaves it open to the risk of falling behind in significance compared to its more readily measurable E and G cousins.
The ESG challenge for boards and leadership groups is increasing – but with that comes the opportunity for real learning in the way organisations contribute more holistically to society. Profits are only one part of the puzzle. The more successful leaders are at telling their “S story” with authenticity, the more likely they will be able to attract and retain investors and supporters, and educate their teams along the way in improving how they do what they do. I hope you find the article thought-provoking and a prompter to learn more about ESG.
AND FINALLY……
Rounding out the theme of learning, I’m excited to be delivering a reskilling program with Sharon Collins of My Career Lab to a large financial institution. A great opportunity to share real-world experience and knowledge at a time of incredible change and opportunity. More to come!
PODCAST CORNER
I’ve been enjoying the weekly discussions between former AFL player and coach Paul Roos and his team on The Culture Couch. Normally I pick this up on YouTube. It’s a relaxed, yet very practical discussion between senior practitioners with organisational culture at the heart of it. During April, talking points have included reading the signs it’s time to think about your next role, the critical need for executive buy-in when undertaking a cultural change program, and whether leaders are “born or made”. Each episode lasts about 20 minutes and they get to the point quickly, so it’s a great way to set up your day. Highly recommended!
ONE MORE THING…..
During the month I managed a few days away on the NSW North Coast and on the way out the door grabbed a book I’d read before, Under New Management by David Burkus. Originally published in 2016, the book centres on rethinking some of the most tightly held assumptions about leadership, and in some cases proposing the exact opposite of popular convention. I recall reading it back then and thinking “This could never happen”, but six years on things like loosening the standard annual leave policy, open salary transparency, abolished performance reviews and ending open-plan offices are reality in many organisations. The jury is still out on paying people to quit! But I’m a fan of hiring as a team – it works for both parties and allows two key questions to be answered without doubt. Can the new hire improve the quality of the team? And can they improve the performance of that person? Recommended reading for anybody in a team leadership role with a curious mindset willing to trial a new idea that might just benefit their entire organisation.
I hope you enjoyed this edition of Cadence Catch-Up. If you have any comments, feedback or suggestions of other leadership themes you’d like me to explore in future editions, please let me know.
ABOUT LEWIS
Cadence Leadership Advisory is a leadership development business specialising in coaching people, team leadership and development, strategy review and organisational culture.
Its Founder, Lewis Williams, has over 25 years of leadership experience gained through senior roles at NAB, HSBC and Bendigo and Adelaide Bank. A Graduate of AGSM@UNSW, a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD), and an Approved Advisor with Advisory Board Centre, he instigated and drove development of the 2021 paper “Organisational Culture: Beyond the Intangible” with other alumni of the AICD. He is also an accredited CultureTalk practitioner, a training and development platform that activates the framework of personality archetypes for the growth of leaders, teams, brands and cultures.
FOUNDER: Lewis Williams
EMAIL: lewis@cadenceleadershipadvisory.com.au
MOBILE: 61 (0) 477 371 665
LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lewis-williams- cadenceleadershipadvisory/
