On this day 42 years ago Sir Winston Churchill died at 90 years of age. Click here for more.
I was 12 in January 1965 and like all my peers I was heavily into The Beatles and the music revolution that was sweeping Britain.
Despite all that excitement I can remember well watching the funeral on our tiny black and white TV. Even though I was very young and didn’t really understand the significance of this event I just knew from my parents reaction to his death and funeral just how much they felt we owed the great man and how the whole country mourned.
Many consider Sir Winston the greatest leaders in British History. I wonder what might have happened had we not had his leadership during World War Two - What do you think?
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Monday, January 22, 2007
Monday reflection
I change my opinion on things quite a lot.
Some managers may see this as a sign of weakness and lack of clear thinking. I prefer to believe I learn new things every day and therefore adjust my views as I pass through life learning all the time.
Just some Monday ramblings ....
Some managers may see this as a sign of weakness and lack of clear thinking. I prefer to believe I learn new things every day and therefore adjust my views as I pass through life learning all the time.
Just some Monday ramblings ....
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Where does FAIRNESS end and JUSTICE begin?
Recently I’ve got myself involved in lively discussions about enormous pay-offs for Chief Executives and massive earnings for celebrities in sport and entertainment. I have called for more ‘radical giving’ as described by Nicky Gumbel.
Today at Church as we marked World Leprosy Day we heard that £350 is enough to buy building materials in Africa to build one brick house. Yes £350.
Consider this against the pay-off to a Chief Executive last week of £63 million.
I repeat I am not against people getting what they deserve but come on, no one individual NEEDS a lump sum of £63 million.
Some outstanding words during today’s service that I ask you to read and consider.
Firstly ……A verse from a Hymn by F Pratt Green
‘He reminds us every sunrise that the world is ours on lease,
For the sake of life tomorrow may our love for it increase,
May all races live together, share its riches, be at peace,
May the living God be praised!’
Secondly …….A prayer for World Leprosy Day
We pray for leprosy patients around the world. Please reach out your hand to heal them. Help people with leprosy to receive treatment early so that they don’t develop injuries and disabilities. Surround those who have been rejected by their families and communities with your Love. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer
We pray for The Leprosy Mission. Help them find effective solutions to the poverty and stigma associated with leprosy. Let their voices be heard as they call for change and speak out against the injustices which keep people poor. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer
We pray for ourselves. Help us to look at our own lifestyles, and to make the world a better place by learning to share what we have. Help us to worship you in the way you have chosen, by setting the oppressed free. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer
We pray for world leaders and for those in positions of responsibility and authority. Help them recognise and actively seek opportunities to tackle poverty and bring about justice, so that all may live life to the full. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Today at Church as we marked World Leprosy Day we heard that £350 is enough to buy building materials in Africa to build one brick house. Yes £350.
Consider this against the pay-off to a Chief Executive last week of £63 million.
I repeat I am not against people getting what they deserve but come on, no one individual NEEDS a lump sum of £63 million.
Some outstanding words during today’s service that I ask you to read and consider.
Firstly ……A verse from a Hymn by F Pratt Green
‘He reminds us every sunrise that the world is ours on lease,
For the sake of life tomorrow may our love for it increase,
May all races live together, share its riches, be at peace,
May the living God be praised!’
Secondly …….A prayer for World Leprosy Day
We pray for leprosy patients around the world. Please reach out your hand to heal them. Help people with leprosy to receive treatment early so that they don’t develop injuries and disabilities. Surround those who have been rejected by their families and communities with your Love. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer
We pray for The Leprosy Mission. Help them find effective solutions to the poverty and stigma associated with leprosy. Let their voices be heard as they call for change and speak out against the injustices which keep people poor. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer
We pray for ourselves. Help us to look at our own lifestyles, and to make the world a better place by learning to share what we have. Help us to worship you in the way you have chosen, by setting the oppressed free. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer
We pray for world leaders and for those in positions of responsibility and authority. Help them recognise and actively seek opportunities to tackle poverty and bring about justice, so that all may live life to the full. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Friday, January 19, 2007
Interesting
In my career as an NHS manager the times I enjoyed most and the times we achieved most was when I worked as manager in a close partnership with a senior doctor. As managers, whether we like it or not, we have to accept doctors have far more credibility with patients and politicians than managers ever will. I see that as a great opportunity for managers.
In my career I used to get on with the detail of day to day management and I left the leadership and 'spotlight role' as the realm of the doctor. Tactically as a manager I unashamedly ‘used’ the doctor to get over a point in any difficult argument with his peer doctors who may be resisting change. Doctors can sell a new concept to their peers far better than a manager and I was always comfortable keeping my head down leaving all that 'stuff' to the doctor.
It was also brilliant to have the support of the doctor in arguments with my own bosses which happened quite a lot. Managers in the NHS still have great respect for doctors and the more senior the doctor the more respect it seems. I used what I call the ‘credibility card’ often.
There have always been arguments about the role of doctors in management in the NHS and my view is clear. The doctors who make a positive decision to ‘do management’ make far better leaders than traditional NHS managers.
It is therefore very interesting to me that Heartlands Hospital in Birmingham, just down the road from us in Solihull, recently won an award as the best hospital in the UK. Click here for details.
Why is this interesting? - Because the Chief Executive and his Deputy are both Senior Doctors.
Of course all academic researchers will tell me this does not prove anything but it is interesting don’t you think?
In my career I used to get on with the detail of day to day management and I left the leadership and 'spotlight role' as the realm of the doctor. Tactically as a manager I unashamedly ‘used’ the doctor to get over a point in any difficult argument with his peer doctors who may be resisting change. Doctors can sell a new concept to their peers far better than a manager and I was always comfortable keeping my head down leaving all that 'stuff' to the doctor.
It was also brilliant to have the support of the doctor in arguments with my own bosses which happened quite a lot. Managers in the NHS still have great respect for doctors and the more senior the doctor the more respect it seems. I used what I call the ‘credibility card’ often.
There have always been arguments about the role of doctors in management in the NHS and my view is clear. The doctors who make a positive decision to ‘do management’ make far better leaders than traditional NHS managers.
It is therefore very interesting to me that Heartlands Hospital in Birmingham, just down the road from us in Solihull, recently won an award as the best hospital in the UK. Click here for details.
Why is this interesting? - Because the Chief Executive and his Deputy are both Senior Doctors.
Of course all academic researchers will tell me this does not prove anything but it is interesting don’t you think?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
