Ethics – The Specialist-Generalist

January 27, 2018March 11, 2018 John Worne Behaviours, Ethics, People, Specialist-Generalist

Trust

As a Specialist-Generalist you often have to take a punt on people - how do you decide who you should trust? Twice US Secretary of War; Henry Stimson (1867 - 1950) gives good advice: start with everybody. Stimson had his hands full during WWII. As Wikipedia notes: Stimson took charge of raising and training 13 million … Continue reading Trust

March 3, 2017April 12, 2017 John Worne Ethics, Leadership, Specialist-Generalist

Office politics

By John Worne politics: (pɒlɪtɪks/) noun: 1) the activities associated with the governance of a country or area, especially the debate between parties having power. 2) activities aimed at improving someone's status or increasing power within an organization. Most people complain about office politics. And the Specialist-Generalist should be 'purpose' first, invitable and unavoidable 'politics' very much second. … Continue reading Office politics

Here's what Harvard Business Review has to say on 'Imposter Syndrome', every Specialist-Generalist's constant companion:

"We’ve all had that feeling of being unqualified to do something we’ve been tasked to do. But the fact that everyone occasionally suffers from impostor syndrome (even CEOs and Prime Ministers) doesn’t make it any easier to handle.

Try these three things:

1) Recognise there are positives to being new in your field. When you’re not steeped in the conventional wisdom of a given profession or industry, you can ask questions that haven’t been asked before or approach problems in ways others haven’t thought of.

2) Adopt a learning mindset. Focus more on what you’re learning than on how you’re performing.

3) Know that you’re not alone. If you’re feeling like an impostor, chances are that others feel the same way."