Ever been in a situation where you are defining your goals (objectives, outcomes) and you seem really keen and fired up to do what it takes to reach the goal?  Of course.  And then...have you ever been in the same sort of situation but somehow, you don’t seem that motivated to take the necessary steps to get there, can’t see the route from A to B?  Very likely.  So what’s the difference that makes the difference?  

How do you respond to the stuff that happens?  What do you notice about your motivation and energy levels, and the effect you have on those around you?  We’ve all encountered drains, with their world-weary, seen-it-all- before, tired and often cynical manner.  Drains can sap the energy out of a team at work, or a personal relationship, or a group on holiday – or in many other human interactions. Their ‘it didn’t work before’, won’t-work-here/now attitude can quash motivation and bring people down.  Those around the drain lose their ability to bounce back and to keep going when the going gets tough.  When there are several drains around at work, productivity (even attendance) can go down the proverbial gurgler.

Surely it’s obvious, right?  Duh, the people in the room??  Well, maybe.  And who will they be presenting to?  Think about it: the audience for your presentation of course includes the people you will have in the room, but if you want those people to act on your presentation then remember that they in turn have an audience. 

Kevin Duncan reckons that we could make life – and particularly our working life – so much simpler and easier if we just learned from children.  Children are constantly learning, naturally curious and always asking questions.  Yet as we grow older, we can become hesitant about asking questions, in some cases to the point of giving up altogether.  And asking fewer questions can condemn us to a working life of directionless drudgery.   So what?  provides a handy toolkit of questions to get us back in the habit.  Questions force people to stop and think, something we can all do a good deal more of. 

The sub-title to this book is ‘leadership lessons from the great Antarctic explorer’ – and they’re not kidding.  I’d preface the sub-title with ‘massively inspirational’.  This is first and foremost a ripping yarn, a stirring true story of determination, loyalty, teamwork and extraordinary human courage in enormous adversity.  Even better, the authors draw out the lessons we can learn today to be the best leaders we can be.