Monday Morning Musings

Passion, Feedback and Togetherness – From March 11th 2024.

Happy Monday everyone!

Here are some reflections over the previous few weeks of what’s been on my mind.

What I LEARNED

Last week I had my daughters parents evening, and whilst I learned that her teachers continue to value her hard work, diligence and tenacity to try her best, which is paying off in her grades, I also learned about the different styles of teaching she receives and how this clearly affects her learning regarding particular subjects.

I have mentioned in previous MMM posts how challenging it must be for teachers, and how grateful I am for teachers in playing such an important role in the development of my children. Last week I got to see for myself the diversity of teachers that are educating my daughter, and could clearly see from the varying enthusiasm and levels of constructive feedback my wife and I received, why our daughter prefers some subjects and teachers more than others.

I personally learned that there is a direct correlation between the teachers who provided specific measurable goals that will help our daughter get to the next level, versus those who provided generic feedback that could be provided to anyone. The teachers who provided specific, measurable goals happen to be the subjects that our daughter enjoys. These teachers also excluded the most passion in their subject and love for teaching.

Having a passion for what you do, combined with providing specific, measurable goals is so important to ourselves and others. What are your passionate about and what specific measurable goals do you have? Did you set these goals based on a New Year’s resolution, and if so, how are you tracking against them?

What I LOVED

Last week was the first time I managed to have all of my direct reports together in the same place at the same time. To celebrate this important milestone, I was able to organise a dinner for us all to be together. What I loved was looking around the table at the mix of cultures, languages, genders, and general backgrounds, and seeing them all laugh and joke together.

In the post COVID world, nothing beats seeing each other face to face rather than on a screen. No technology or AI could ever take this feeling away, or at least I hope not!

Making time to meet up and get people together is so fulfilling and reminds us of the power of human connections.


What I LIKED

Earlier this year I asked a University Graduate from the team to present to me around a topic that they had just spent a lot of time researching. Whilst the topic was well researched and in depth, the nerves of presenting in front of me clearly came to the surface, as they speeded through the presentation as quickly as possible to get it over and done with. This made it particularly difficult to understand, but could sense they had it in them, it was just the nerves that were creeping in and holder them back.

I’m by no means a perfect presenter, but after the presentation I asked if it would be appropriate to provide some feedback as a growth opportunity for this grads future. They said yes, so I duly provided my own feedback as well as some resources to watch and read that might help them next time they are asked to present.

What I liked, was how I saw this very same graduate stand up and present in front of the entire Ad Sales teams last week, with confidence, complete clarity and control.

I was so proud of what they had achieved, that when I approached them afterwards to say how fantastic I though their presentation was, the first thing they said was that they took onboard all of the feedback I provided and read/watched all the resources. They then took this knowledge and practiced for hours.

We can always be improving with whatever it is we do. Knowledge is power, and using this knowledge combined with discipline and practice can have a positive effect.

Final thought

To celebrate Mothers Day, and for all the wonderful women in our lives, here is a song that reminds me of my own mum from when I was growing up. She used to play Carole King on the record player (yes, that right, Google it if you are note sure), after lunch on a Sunday afternoon dancing around the living room, and this song always stood out. Have a great week all!

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Nik Dewar

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