Tag: Character

Wisdom Wednesday #4

Never Fake Empathy: What 2Pac’s “Keep Ya Head Up” teaches about empathy Most people can tell within about thirty seconds whether a leader really cares about what they’re telling them. The words are often identical either way. “I hear you” and “that must be really hard” come out of the mouths of leaders who mean…… Continue reading Wisdom Wednesday #4

Wisdom Wednesday #3

Never Let Ego Outshine Humility: What Kendrick Lamar’s “HUMBLE.” Teaches About Humility Every school I’ve worked in has asked its staff to be humble in some form. We ask teachers to welcome feedback after a lesson observation, to admit when a strategy isn’t working and to learn from colleagues with less experience than them. Far…… Continue reading Wisdom Wednesday #3

Wisdom Wednesday #2

What Skepta’s “That’s Not Me” teaches About Authenticity Most leaders lose themselves gradually, by becoming the version of a leader the room seems to want. This can look like you adjusting the vocabulary for one audience and the opinions for another, until the person who walks into the Monday briefing has very little in common…… Continue reading Wisdom Wednesday #2

Training Day:

When the line moves one decision at a time Training Day is my favourite film and Denzel Washington is my favourite actor, so it was inevitable that, 25 years (yes, I know!) after the film came out in October 2001, I would end up writing about Alonzo Harris, the films central character. I’ve watched it…… Continue reading Training Day:

The Year Character Outscored Talent

We didn’t win because we had the best player. We won because we became the best team. I have waited my whole life to write that sentence down and mean it. Being a Knicks fan is a long education in disappointment. There were false dawns, big signings that went nowhere (Marbury, Stoudamire, Melo), promising seasons…… Continue reading The Year Character Outscored Talent

From Wicked to Equitable: Finding Belonging in Society

My family and I were like most people across the country. We had been waiting for the new Wicked film to drop. We booked release day and went in ready for the spectacle. The film delivered what we expected: strong performances, sharp visuals and a story that still hits. But I walked out thinking about…… Continue reading From Wicked to Equitable: Finding Belonging in Society

Power To The People

Read Part 1: Born In The Dark – Performance Virtues In Action Read Part 2: Change Is Coming – Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Civic Virtues In Action The 22nd Commonwealth Games, Birmingham 2022. My home town; I am immensely proud of where I am from (just in case you hadn’t caught that over the last…… Continue reading Power To The People