Balkin Coaching Leadership Insights

“Sometimes it creates embarrassing situations, as it did for Joel, a mid-level executive. He felt so bored that he snuck out of his office one afternoon to see a movie. When it was over, guess whom he ran into coming out of the same theatre? His boss.” Douglas LaBier Photo by Filip Mishevski on Unsplash In my last blog I briefly touched on the idea that someone can be busy but bored, and that boredom may cause us to make decisions for the wrong reasons. I do believe it is

Photo by Marc Rafanell López on Unsplash There is a constant push for change in order to disrupt markets and be ahead of the competition. Kodak and Nokia are repeatedly presented as examples of cautionary tales of what may happen if companies do not embrace innovation. However, is change always necessary and recommended? Did the Australian banks go too far by diversification? Should the large accounting firms be pushing into new markets by acquisitions? My expertise is

Photo by Tyler Nix on Unsplash “If we create networks with the sole intention of getting something, we won’t succeed. We can’t pursue the benefits of networks; the benefits ensue from investments in meaningful activities and relationships.” Adam Grant. I am fortunate to have a large list of subscribers to my blog, from a variety of Organisations, cities and professional backgrounds. My aim is for my blogs to provoke thought and change behaviour, and I am always appreci

For about 22 years I have grappled with a good explanation of why evidence-based practice is so important for all organisations and how it informs my executive coaching work. Before I provide my perspective, I shall make a disclosure, I am a scientist. I studied maths, physics and chemistry in high school and then a further six years of psychology (the science of human behaviour) at university. My hypothesis testing approach to problem solving was formulated at a young a

Why do some people have all the luck?

Last week I met with a client, let's call her Sue, she is an ambitious executive who has just received the promotion she had been working towards. We discussed the new role in detail: the strategic responsibilities of entering a new market; the challenges of managing a team who used to be her peers; sitting on an executive team that was based in another city; and the competitors disrupting the market. It was clear throughout out this conversation Sue was excited and engaged.