Small change: don’t take requests at face value

First published on
Dec 06, 2022

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A team asking for vision, greater clarity on strategy, or better-defined roles and responsibilities might be talking in code. Such requests can be presenting symptoms of deeper confusion or concerns.

For example, people might be concerned about change or unable to manage conflict effectively — but be unable or unwilling to voice this (‘vision’ and ‘strategy’ tend to feel like safer ground for many of us).

Asking yourself ‘what is the question behind the question?’ can reveal deeper organisational development needs. Addressing such needs is where transformative progress is made.

Something to consider: what are my people actually concerned about?

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Giving a team the inspiration and technique to scale ideas

“Brilliant, astute, knowledgeable, and witty.

Phil grasped our business challenge with incredible speed and led us to rethink how we do business.”

SARAH MASON – CMO, COSMOS

REPAIRING A BUSINESS-CRITICAL RELATIONSHIP

“I’m not sure, but Phil might be a magician.”

JULIE BISHOP – CO-CEO, IT NATURALLY

Getting change past the post in a complicated context

“Transformational for both my personal and professional growth.”

STUART WILLIAMSON — CHIEF CORPORATE AFFAIRS OFFICER, THE JOCKEY CLUB

Instilling accountability to help a great team do great things

“Real smarts, and the external perspective we needed.

We are now securing industry standards of margin.”

NEIL CRUMP – CEO, AURORA HEALTHCARE

COMPREHENSIVE STRUCTURAL CHANGE

“Incredibly responsive and empathetic to our specific challenges and ambition.

Phil inspired and challenged our leadership team to ensure that our transformation had our people at its heart.”

Darina Garland, Co-CEO, Ooni

Enabling a Board to work to its full potential

“His years of experience allow for a highly credible, disciplined and empathic approach.

Phil offers the right balance of push and encouragement.”

VIV HSU – PARTNER, JBI

Small change: don’t take requests at face value

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