Page 25 - Gi flipbook March 2018

KEEP ASKING FOR HELP
I have learnt over many years that,
from CEOs and senior managers to
work placement students and
graduate engineers, people find it
difficult to ask for help. Some believe
it is a failure to ask for the help and
the support of others to deliver their
own tasks, some think they should
have all the answers. Far from failure,
it’s essential to ask for help – and to
keep asking for it. This way we
succeed in achieving our goal or task
more quickly which moves the
business forward and we learn from
others – it is the old adage that two
heads are better than one.

UNTAP THE POTENTIAL
OF OTHERS
It seems a universal truth that when
people are asked how much of their
potential they have realised the
response is invariably about 60-65
per cent. This would suggest we are
in a world of untapped potential.
Imagine what could be achieved in
business if 20 per cent of that
potential could be unleashed. As
leaders it is our job to create the
conditions to make that happen –
then the sky is the limit.

As leaders, we must be clear about WOMEN AS LEADERS
Specifically to women I would say,
our sense of purpose and that of the celebrate and accept differences in
yourself and others. Diversity and
teams we lead; having your own adaptability has enabled the human
sense of purpose, adhering to your race to survive, and so too in business.
We work in a male-dominated
own values and doing the right thing industry where there are few female
role models.
will pay dividends. Don’t be swayed We know that there is
by the perceived status, position and unconscious bias to the detriment of
women in society, but we also know
power of others that where women are represented
on company boards they are 30 per
cent more effective. We provide a
different perspective.
former – we are almost looking down – it trumps competition every single Have confidence in your differences
the wrong end of the telescope. time. If you want incremental change, as women. Being authentic and true
you compete; if you want exponential to yourself allows you to grow and
COLLABORATE, change, you collaborate. The develop, unleashing your own
DON’T COMPETE challenges of our future (whether potential which in turn improves the
We all know that our energy future they be energy-related or otherwise) fortunes of any business you choose
– and that of our children – is a low are far bigger than any one to work for. You do not need to
carbon energy system that has organisation, one solution or one mimic male behaviour to be accepted
customers at its heart and is person. As leaders, we need to or successful.
responsive to their changing needs. recognise this and champion And so my advice regarding bias is:
However, there is no blue print as to collaboration whenever we can. It is see it, understand it but don’t be
how we can get there. That is why difficult and takes effort and requires defined by it.
we need each other and why we great tenacity but, as Nelson As a wise woman once said: “Be the
need to work collaboratively. Mandela once said, “it always seems best version of yourself, not a second
Collaboration is absolutely critical impossible until it’s done”. rate version of someone else.” ■

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