How annoying is it? You’re breaking your back working away on some intractable problem when along comes some armchair critic to tell you where you’ve been going wrong. Very is the answer. They have absolutely no concept of the issues that you’re facing, the hassle that you are under and the multiple directions in which … Continue reading All problems can be solved from an armchair
Learning to play
In our doctors’ surgery, a place I’ve had the dubious pleasure of visiting many times over the last few weeks, there is a small wooden box that sits in the waiting room. It is about a metre cubed and is made of a white wood like birch or pine as if it was made by … Continue reading Learning to play
It’s all Dutch to me
The CD disappeared into the slot in the dashboard and some unknown yet familiar sounding music emanated from the speakers. A woman’s voice with just the faintest hint of an accent welcomed me to ‘Learn Dutch in 3 months’. Her name was Leif. This is it, the start of my latest learning venture. The task … Continue reading It’s all Dutch to me
What learning a language can teach you
I’ve been inspired by a blog I read today. It was by Benny the Irish polyglot who is convinced that anyone can learn a foreign language and be fluent in three months. I came across his site when I got the urge to learn Dutch for some reason, perhaps with a view to going on … Continue reading What learning a language can teach you
A modern deprivation
We were making our way back to the car having spent the last few hours in the hospital when we were approached by a young man. He was slightly unkempt and had passed by us a couple of times in an obvious hurry as if he was looking for something. By his appearance, if asked, … Continue reading A modern deprivation
This is not a technical revolution
The future has arrived. The new Samsung Galaxy Gear smart watch is finally out. You can wear it on your wrist and it can respond to your voice and run apps. It sounds fantastic and will no doubt be another step forward in the personal technology arms race. The future has always been about technology, … Continue reading This is not a technical revolution
Living in a new norm?
I have made some new acquaintances, friends even. I met them online on an extranet site for people who are interested in changing organisational cultures with a view to improving the way that they operate and deliver their services. The site is called the ON2net. My new colleagues are called Tamara, Julian, Chris, Grant and … Continue reading Living in a new norm?
Give me the keys that unlock people
Everybody has a key that can unlock them. Most have more than one and they are someone that they trust. It could be a member of their family, their partner or their mother perhaps. It could be a colleague at work or a close friend. It could be an upstanding member of society like a … Continue reading Give me the keys that unlock people
Feelings trump facts
I have been an admirer of Dr Edward de Bono’s work for a long time. I have read many of his books which are always stimulating; in fact I’m just about to finish ‘I’m right, you’re wrong.’ His ‘Six thinking hats’ is one of the books that has had the greatest influence upon me and … Continue reading Feelings trump facts
Pain now, pain later
We’ve just finished a roll out of a new telephone system. It took over a year and we’ve replaced fourteen previous systems with a single brand spanking internet protocol system. It has been the best of times and the worst of times. People were up in arms. The new system didn’t work. It didn’t do … Continue reading Pain now, pain later
Thoughts from a Guerrilla Worker 