To what extent has wearing masks, social distancing and back-to-back video conferencing begun to limit our opportunity to lead symbolically, express our feelings and consequently our ability to have open and insightful conversations? Executive Coach, Humphrey Armstrong draws on Otto Scharmer’s U Theory and a recent interview with Shane Fitzsimmons, (former Commissioner of the NSW Rural Fire Service) to unpack how to lift conversations from defending the past to exploring possible futures.

Leadership Author, Alistair Mant, argues that “truly intelligent leaders” know very clearly the difference between bicycles and frogs, especially when leading organisational change. In the following article, Organisational Psychologist and Peoplemax Executive Coach, Humphrey Armstrong explores Mant’s metaphor in further detail, and helps to explain why the distinction between frogs and bicycles is important in leading and managing in a pandemic.

When living in a virus-driven ‘VUCA’ World where V = Volatile, U = Uncertain, C = Complex and A = Ambiguous, little things like washing hands can make the difference that makes the difference, in fact the difference between life and possible death! There are in fact many other little things which cost nothing but when we look back they’ve had a huge impact. Peoplemax Executive Coach, Humphrey Armstrong shares some ideas, and which could be most relevant in your circumstances?

Gone are the typical stages of schooling/tertiary education, establishing a career, climbing the ladder, retirement and finally navigating old age. Life is no longer linear – many people are now moving through several careers often punctuated by a number of transitions and even ‘gap’ years. The age of portfolio careers and ‘greypreneurs’ is upon us either by choice or necessity. In this interesting article, Humphrey Armstrong shares his tips on how to make the most of your later-life career and retirement transitions.