Up for the debate? Looking for some dialogue and discovery? Leave your comments and post your problems on the Diva’s blog

Thursday, May 14, 2009

When its right to break the rules

Another day, another headline about the integrity of our politicians.  We look on incredulously as all hues of the spectrum line up to explain that they were only following the rules.

But what happens when you try to defend the indefensible?  The Speaker believed he was right to defend 'the system' from its detractors.  Of course when you opt to argue one point or another its crucial that you are able to reinforce your arguments with honesty, openness, integrity and purpose.  

I think many will recognise that the working hours, stress and scrutiny that many MP's and their families cope with perhaps merits a salary equivalent of a GP or senior manager in the private sector, but few will forgive exploitation of a system that sought to line pockets rather than keep wolves from the door. 

There are lessons for leaders here in all walks of life.   People are tired of apologies but will never tire of action that builds firm foundations rather than a house of cards.

A wise person once said that integrity is how you behave when no one is watching, a lesson for us all.  

 

posted by Sherpa at 12:48 PM 0 comments

Saturday, March 14, 2009

March Hares

Its that time of year when the annual performance wheel concludes another revolution and individuals, teams and organisations are judged.  Have targets been achieved? Little focus on the how the goal was scored or indeed if it was the right target in the first place.  The important thing of course is 'bottom line delivery'  - hitting the target at all costs.... isn't it? 

In today's frenetic paced world, how many would back the tortoise? The tortoise who ploughs a steady path with integrity, courage and commitment keeping him on the right path in a long distance race.  

Most of the money has been on the cunning fox, higher share price and hard to find values, was a great recipe for sprint success but for the marathon, my money has always been on the tortoise.  As they say it aint't what you do but the way that you do it and that's what gets (real) results.




Labels:

posted by Sherpa at 12:36 PM 0 comments

Saturday, January 3, 2009

Crunch Course

In times of plenty it has sometimes felt that less has been done with more. 

The upcoming equality bill will undoubtedly call for faster, better and more widespread action across of a range of sectors in employment and service delivery.  

The challenge of course is can more be achieved with less?

At SHERPA we've always believed that reactive add ons and sheep dip training provide little more than a lovely day out on a very necessary journey.  And, as we know, days out can prove very expensive, often fail to please everyone and are all too readily forgotten.

Much better we think to embed diversity & inclusion in the the core of your business, whether its planning, strategy or training, the right fuel will go a long way...

Labels:

posted by Sherpa at 12:25 PM 0 comments

Saturday, December 27, 2008

Something old, something new

The old year is on its way out and the new year will undoubtedly bring fresh opportunities and new challenges.  However, it is a safe bet that familiar targets and demands will stop many an employer from finding the time to appreciate the new or having the confidence to tackle new challenges.  

Perhaps then 2009 should be the year of doing it differently?


posted by Sherpa at 12:17 PM 0 comments

Monday, November 10, 2008

Looks can be deceiving

Wow!! what a start to the month, we kicked off with a win on the racing track making Lewis Hamilton the youngest winner and the first black winner.   And after a few false starts Barack Obama powered his way to success in the USA election and the world is looking forward to welcoming the first black 'first' family to the White House. 

Yes, the world is certainly looking a different place, we have positive role models in global politics, in golf, in motor racing and not to mention the success of British talent from all walks of life at the Beijing 08  Olympic and Paralympic games, oh and the small matter of a Scot doing quite well at Tennis.  So despite the doom and gloom affecting us all in this time of financial strife we still have plenty to celebrate and every reason to aim high, if not higher than we have before.   

For employers this means they need to move from reporting what their (workforce) picture looks like, they need to break free from legislative ties (no need to break them) and start to take the action that will improve their outlook.   All too often I come across action plans and equality reports that describe a picture, not necessarily bleak, but more often than not one that is incredibly bland.  Compliance rather than change seems to be in the driving seat for many, and getting us nowhere fast.  

The reaction from government and industry 'experts'  is often quota's and targets, scary words in my book.  Instead we should aim to ensure understanding before representation and sign up to a commitment to give and to get the very best. 

Why?, well, in the Diva's humble opinion neither Lewis or Barack achieved their recent successes with the help of positive action on account of their skin colour, they achieved their well deserved success by being determined and being the best.  A lesson for us all.  


posted by Sherpa at 10:14 AM 0 comments

Monday, July 14, 2008

Big Bad Bill

Poor old Equality Bill.  Along with his pal Harriet Harman, he's been getting a bit of stick recently.  Apparently he'll be driving people to vote for the BNP and is putting the future of the white middle class male at risk.  
No fan of red tape I'm not exactly in favour of yet more rules and regulations, however well intentioned.  However, I think the creative writing favoured by our tabloid press has more to answer for when it comes to keeping a them and us culture alive and kicking.

My favourite sensationalist headline last week?  Has to be the Advert for Blind Air Traffic Controller.  Oh no, was it political correctness at its worst?  I shouldn't have been fooled, after all it was the Daily Mail I was reading.  Reading between the lines the real story seems to be quite boring really: a normal advert with bog standard equal opps statement tagged on the end.  So, the crime wasn't about ignoring requirements for the job, it was using the standard format for an ad.  The out of proportion coverage does reinforce the terror of error that must face so many public bodies in today's climate.  No wonder there is a feeling of can't do right for doing wrong amongst those subject to the public duties.  

It's not all bad, occasionally common sense does prevail, I liked one journalists re-writing of the Bill in plain english.  "Appoint on Merit and Don't discriminate"  Seems simple doesn't it.  

posted by Sherpa at 8:58 AM 0 comments

Thursday, July 10, 2008

Model behaviour

AMTM, BNTM - either an acronym too far or like me you are well aware of the empty head nonsense that is Americas/ Britains Next Top Model.  Programmes where lot's of girls who are (by industry standards) too old, too short etc etc fight it out in the hopes of becoming the next 'top' model. Great fun, but I suspect Agenyss Deyn is still sleeping soundly.  
So working on the premise that model perfection lies somewhere between size zero and 5ft11" can a disabled girl become a mainstream model? This is the question posed by BBC3's Britains Missing Top Model.  As with the more familiar Living TV series, a handful of stunning girls have to share an apartment and compete for the top prize through a series of modelling tasks.  The difference of course that the girls all consider themselves to be disabled.  

In episode 1 the ranking of disability started, the girls moaned about who was more disabled than who, the judges couldn't agree if they were looking for a model or a role model, a poster girl for disability if you like.  At judging all of the contestants were angry at the lack of constructive feedback, disappointed at with comments like ' didn't you do well', 'do you think you could cope in the real world?' .  
By episode 2 things really started to heat up:- well, my blood was boiling!   The models mentor, Jonathon 'i've only ever met perfect people' Phang, decided that ensuring the deaf girls could participate in a group discussion was a bit of a luxury, after all wasn't it annoying/inconvenient/expensive (for him) to have an interpretor on hand.  Never mind the phone call to give instructions for the next days task - couldn't he send a text or did he really enjoy telling the girls who hadn't heard what was going on a dressing down?

For me the jury is out on this show.  Like The Apprentice I can watch and cringe at the gaffs of the 'industry experts' and sneakily enjoy the catty remarks between contestants, but I do wonder if this programme will really achieve its aim of challenging stereotypes or if in fact it will perpetuate a view of disability as one of inability and not ability.  

posted by Sherpa at 11:58 AM 0 comments