Have purpose and speak up

It’s been a crazy few months of work, being a mummy, and trying desperately to find time for friends and me time. As a result I’ve neglected my writing.  But I’ve decided that October is as good a time as any to commit to a blog a week. 

In the past week I’ve given two 20-30 minute speeches. The first was on leadership in turbulent times, and the second was on how communications can grow your business. I was so nervous before both of them. Key to them being a success was being prepared, and having a point of view. I don’t think you can ever be over prepared. 

There was one common theme across both my speeches. Purpose. What is your purpose as a leader? What is your purpose as a brand and an organisation?

It’s not always the easiest of questions to answer. Most people will answer with what they do or how they do it. But what we really need to get to is why we do what we do.

Once you are clear about your purpose, you can have that at the core of everything you do. Guiding decisions you need to make, and keeping you focused. It can also help you decide when you (or you business) is going to stand up and be counted. And that’s more important than ever before. 

As I scrolled through twitter today I felt myself getting more and more angry at what was in the news and the venom with which people were interacting with each other. There was the appalling behaviour by the Spanish Government, the lunacy of Donald Trump, the distasteful banner and ‘hangings’ in Manchester, and the usual aggressive tone of political ‘activists’. At worst this is barbaric, at best it is totally unacceptable. I’m still certain that the majority of people all over the world agree that we can’t go on like this. And so we need to be bold, be brave, be generous, be kind, and ultimately stand up and be counted. 

So spend some time thinking about what your purpose is and what your willing to stand up for. I certainly intend too. 

Giving thanks, and staying hopeful

I’m surrounded by colleagues, friends and family who will all be celebrating Thansgiving today. Whilst the food preparation photos have my mouth watering, the sentiment is more powerful this year than it has ever been before. 

Since Keir came in to the world, I am much more aware of how fortunate I am. I have a loving and generous partner, a strong supportive family, fabulous friends, a great job with warm and smart colleagues, a lovely home, and of course my beautiful baby boy. The past 12 months have been wonderful for me and my family and I am so incredibly thankful to be experiencing such joy. 

But 2016 has also been confusing. Brexit, Trump, Russia, the ongoing crisis in Syria, the increase in climate change deniers….. 2016 hasn’t been a good year for those of us who believe in inclusivity, openness, equality, interventionism. Just as I feel total and utter joy at bringing a new life in to the world, I feel fear and despair at the world around him and what the future holds for the world he will grow up in. 

I’m still hopeful. I still have a positive outlook. Why? Because I know too many people who fundamentally believe in the same values as I do. I know too many people who will stand up and be counted in opposing hard right forces both at home and abroad. I’m thankful that they will stand up and be heard. 

I don’t believe we are the minority. We may not currently have the loudest voices, and we may not be being heard by voters. But that just means that now, more than ever, we need to work harder,  we all need to stand up and speak out loudly and clearly whenever we see hate being spread. 
So thank you. To my family, friends, and colleagues wherever you are, for being part of my life. For enriching my days. But most importantly, thank you in advance for all that you will do in the coming days, months and years, to keep the world safe and to fight for the things that matter most. Love, equality, fairness, understanding, tolerance, respect….. family in all its beautiful forms. Thank you.