Traveling at 900 km/h over vast seas containing tiny islands, I continued reflecting on the value of connecting with different people. I mean really different people. Completely different. Foreign. People with opposite views and experiences. Dismissing people with an assumption “I have nothing in common with these people” is dangerous. Your learning is stunted, your…
Flying into Sydney a few days ago, with a cold breeze cutting through, we ordered coffee in the first cafe we came to as we stepped off the train in Mum’s hometown (suburb) of Padstow. Delving into my suitcase for my jacket, I realised that it was at the bottom of the suitcase wrapped around…
A conversation in Singapore recently highlighted again to the value of Listening. “I did the hard work of keeping my mouth shut.” This was the comment made by my friend Dr James Chia, over lunch in Little India. I almost dropped my pappadum back into the cucumber raita. So profound. He’s a great leader, and…
Albert Einstein is quoted as saying ‘Play is the highest form of research’. It doesn’t sound like serious business, does it? But it’s how children learn, and they take their play very seriously. Just try interrupting them to go to bed! Do you put yourself under pressure to network properly, professionally? Do you lie awake…
I met fellow Author Tony Inman at my last Perth Conversations event in 2011 and we’ve kept in touch on facebook – lately through my Do Talk to Strangers Group. Tony volunteered to preview my book manuscript and sent me the following email. It’s incredible. Moved me to tears. So here’s “Guest writer” Tony’s amazing…
Go somewhere new! Or say yes to an event invitation! I was invited to an art exhibition opening on Friday night at the Fire Station Arts Centre, and although I didn’t know the artist I knew it would be a great chance to chat with a few people for 20 -30 minutes and see something…
Do Talk To Strangers (my work in progress) is a book about Connecting. We can connect or disconnect in a moment. We can open a world of possibilities for ourselves and others, or grow slowly and stunted. We can grow to become better and more authentic connectors as we become more aware of how we…
This morning I enjoyed a fabulous bike ride with my son Ethan – on his way to school – which opened up a new connection and more inspired thoughts. He waved to an older gentleman on the other side of the road, and I asked Ethan if he knows the man and he said “I…
After several profound connections with amazing people last week and an unexpected, delightful trip to Sydney with a brand new friend, I had a quiet weekend at home to reflect and be inspired. Lyndon and Ethan were away on a boys abseiling camp, so I wrote and wrote, then walked down to the river through…