10 Things to Know About Me
Hi team and happy Thursday!
This week things are a bit better in camp Morris and hectic at work but mostly good. My top share this week is the blog “The ten things you should know about the people on your team” https://mwah.live/blog/ten-things-about-people-on-your-team I would genuinely love to hear your response to the 10 questions if you would feel comfortable sharing back with me or the group if you’re really daring. But of course most aren’t, and that’s ok, so I’ll go first. Not because I think you should care and in fact I don’t mind if you don’t. But I do, and I wouldn’t expect you to share if I wasn’t prepared to do so myself. Here are my answers below but I recommend you read the article before responding. Disclaimer – I did not write this today – as if I’d have had time – have been chipping away at it over the past few days for your reading pleasure.
(1) How I like to be addressed
Respectfully. Mark. Or Shark if we’re into nicknames. Not ever boss or sir or anything that elevates above. Even now with ministers I revert back to their first name if not careful. When I was running coaching programs at school the kids called me Mark or Shark, not sir or coach.
(2) What is my ‘real story’
I am a fighter. Always have been. Got bullied through school. Badly. As a result have a passion for standing up to bullies and helping others to do so too. Worked hard from 14 to pay my own way through school. Always wanted to be a surgeon. To help people. Made choices that if I knew then what I know now I would’ve made differently. Started coaching when I was 15 because I couldn’t stand to see the younger kids potential go to waste. I love a challenge. I’m a disruptor. I speak up when others stay silent. I give critical feedback to help people be better even if its not what they want to hear. I’m not a pack follower. Not interested in the norm or majority. Adverse to mediocrity. Love a good wine, love a good coffee, love running. I don’t get enough sleep. My mind never stops. I fight every day to do my best for my family, my team, my friends, and the struggle is real. I used to be a ballroom dancing instructor. I don’t like cats. I took my wife’s surname through marriage. I’m pretty boring generally I think.
(3) The top players in my life
My wife and my kids. If I won the lotto I would probably be a stay at home dad with some consulting on the side when I had time.
(4) What I actually do:
Listen. Observe. Learn. Appreciate. Respect. Coach to grow. Build capability. Improve business for the long game. Anticipate future needs / trends. Collaborate. Share. Help. Problem solve. Drop truth bombs and dish out tough love. But what does that mean? I find explaining my role to friends who aren’t public sector minded very difficult. I send and receive lots of emails, attend lots of meetings, put out fires, clean up messes, and actively try to make things better.
(5) What am I really great at:
Well based on my 360 from earlier this year you said I was best at communication, leadership, recognition, and strategy. I would like to think I can add to this with coaching, mentoring, transforming, being honest and trustworthy, and bringing people together to break down silos. I’m driven, committed to my word, and dedicated not to let people down. I take other people’s trust in me very seriously. And I make a great espresso martini.
(6) What I’m not so great at
Details. In fact you might often hear me say “yeah yeah details, details…” I do struggle thinking small or only focusing on 1 thing at a time because my mind is already racing ahead at a million miles an hour about 5-10 years ahead. If you give me a massive spreadsheet I’ll glaze over. Give me a graph that tells the story. As I’ve progressed in my career from a hierarchy perspective I find the higher I go the easier it gets because it’s a more natural fit. The more down in the reeds at the task level the less comfortable I am, but I’m happy to lead restructures or complex transformation programs. I’m also not great at prioritising myself and my wellbeing, but I’m getting better. When I was a competitive runner my approach to training was that if I could drive home, I didn’t train hard enough. And bureaucracy. Even after 12 years in the public service I still struggle with red tape, but I’m getting better. I have a great respect for process but it doesn’t come naturally.
(7) Where I want to go
I’ve never understood people who aren’t prepared to say what their goals are, like they’re afraid of putting it out there & then failing? I think if your goals don’t scare you a little bit you’re not aiming high enough. Ideally I’m looking toward a C-suite role in HR, Strategy or Transformation areas, but flexible. Not fussed on either public or private sector. I don’t do a job to do an ‘ok’ job – I cant half-arse anything it goes against my grain. In a private sector or sport setting I’d say “I play to win” which can be taken in a variety of ways. It’s the long term wins I’m interested in most, happy to lose a few battles to win the war etc. The bigger the team the bigger the problems the better. But I think you all know my #1 priority is my family. In this role now, I’m just trying to do the best I can and make sure I’m having a positive impact in nudging the team toward improved culture, performance, and sustainability. I’m thinking about the legacy I’ll leave behind if I move on but I’m more focused on the memories I’m making with my family along the way.
(8) How I like to work
I’m an introvert at my core but an extrovert in my career. I love to connect, collaborate, network, bring people together and facilitate new relationships. I like a quiet space to work without interruptions ideally. Most of my week is meetings and I try to be present in those so it might take me a while sometimes to get to emails. If urgent best try calling and if I don’t answer, text. I never check voicemail. Use Teams. My calendar is booked out weeks in advance but as someone pointed out recently nearly every time they’ve reached out to me I’ve found time for them. So reach out! Like most I’m adverse to micromanagement and being stuck in a box or worse with my head in the sand.
(9) What I need from you
Trust. Honesty. Reliability. Flexibility. Innovation. Open-mindedness. Teamwork. Inclusion. Respect. Empathy. Courtesy. Maturity. Authenticity. No BS. An ability to get it done. Professionalism. Did I mention trust? Don’t ask for much do I? 😉 This varies significantly at the individual level but in general these are the things I look for in my dream-team members.
(10) Coffee/tea preference: eclectic
Mostly some version of an almond milk flat white but this can vary to include double shots, cappuccino, or affogato. If there’s a good quality single origin bean on offer I’m a sucker for an Ethiopian bean if I’ve got time & quiet to enjoy it but I refuse to insult a good single origin in a takeaway cup.
Some other reads for the week:
The perseverance of resilient leadership: Sustaining impact on the road to Thrive Building trust with courageous leadership:
More ‘resilience’ – seems to be a buzzword for 2020:
https://www.first5000.com.au/blog/calls-for-more-resilience-a-smokescreen-for-broken-workplaces/
Keep well and please prioritise that which matters most! 😊