WHAT ARE YOU DOING ABOUT GENDER EQUALITY IN YOUR OWN CIRCLE? It’s two o’clock and it’s time to present my monthly report at yet another management meeting. As usual, I explain that we have done this and that; I share our Key Performance Indicators (KPI) -good but not great; I note that we should celebrate this…
POLITICALLY CORRECT, WHY NOT SIMPLY CORRECT?
This may not be a politically correct tip or mail… I beg your indulgence if it annoys, hurts, or disturbs any of you. Still, I feel I must, and I believe we all should ponder on the topic of racism and, in general, the irrational divisions we are creating, endorsing, or tolerating through varied and…
LET’S GET ADDICTED TO… OXYTOCIN
Today’s tip: LET’S GET ADDICTED TO… OXYTOCIN Dear colleagues and friends, How was your night? How was your weekend? I hope you managed to disconnect with work and connect with your loved ones, as best you could! Perhaps you remember a 20 year old movie -oh my God, I’m old!- titled “Pay it forward”, with…
Want to be a great leader?
Are leaders born or taught? Am I a leader or a follower? Do I command or do I obey? Am I first or last? Am I a chief/Oga or ‘just’ an employee? Am I technically or academically ready to lead or I’m still developing? All these fascinating questions generate more trouble than solutions insofar as…
TROUBLEMAKERS ARE US
Today’s tip: TROUBLEMAKERS ARE US Dear colleagues and friends, How was your night? I hope it was good and restful. Mine was great and short, gratifying and inspiring. I am sleepy but smiley! We have great people in the organization and it is always rewarding to know them a little better. One of my favorite…
I AM VULNERABLE, THAT’S MY STRENGTH!
Today’s tip: I AM VULNERABLE, THAT’S MY STRENGTH! These are Peter’s words of wisdom for the participants at a recent leadership training organized with Harvard University. For our non-UNICEF colleagues, Peter, without any need for fanfare, title, or even last name is UNICEF’s Representative in Nigeria and most likely he will be very unhappy with me for…
QUIT THE DRAMA, YOUR DRAMA!
Today’s tip: QUIT THE DRAMA, YOUR DRAMA! Oops, did I say your drama? I am sorry (not really…) you certainly are not the drama queen/king! Of course, that title belongs to your boss, your colleague, your supervisee, your client, or your partner, not you. However, in the odd case that you could eventually consider that…
EARN A GOLDEN HEART MEDAL!!
Today’s tip: EARN A GOLDEN HEART MEDAL!! Dear colleagues and friends, How was your night? The week is almost gone, can you believe it! I was born in a very particular and small country where the winning leader of the civil war, a tiny giant called Jose Figueres, abolished the army in 1949, not long after seizing…
IT IS FINE; YOU CAN BE BRAVE AND AFRAID!!
Today’s tip: IT IS FINE; YOU CAN BE BRAVE AND AFRAID!! A couple of days ago, I had the privilege of breaking bread with several colleagues who had recently defeated the virus. Some of them proudly wore a t-shirt identifying themselves as “COVID-19 Heroes”. All of them shared stories of fear, anxiety, hope, solidarity, courage, determination, and love.…
PROTECT YOUR BRAIN, MOVE YOUR BUTT!
Today’s tip: PROTECT YOUR BRAIN, MOVE YOUR BUTT! It is early Sunday morning. Most likely, you are reading this sitting or lying down. If lucky, on a good chair, with a proper position. If not that lucky, on your couch or bed, twisted like a pretzel or extended like a banana! It’s OK. I am not…