Newsletter, January 2024
Wishing you the very best in 2024! The start of this year has been nothing short of exhilarating with unexpected events from an earthquake (and the many aftershocks that followed) on January 1st during our skiing holiday in Japan, to the excitement of launching the first Thriving Women snow adventure program in Myoko Kogen, and recording my first podcast episode as a co-host, which wasn't initially part of my 2024 business plan.
One thing I’ve learnt over the holiday period is the importance of adaptability, flexibility, and readiness for uncertainty. These are crucial skills for leaders this year and into the future. We must stay resilient and antifragile in the face of constant change and uncertainty.
Developing an anti-fragile mindset
I wrote this piece after returning from Japan last year, and I think it is still very relevant today. Traveling truly reveals your character and how you adapt to the environment around you. It draws many parallels to leadership skills, primarily in developing an antifragile mindset where resilience alone doesn't suffice.
The term 'antifragile' was coined by Nassim Nicholas Taleb. It represents the capacity to thrive amid stress, shock, volatility, mistakes, faults, or failures. Antifragility goes beyond resilience, defining a category of things that not only benefit from chaos but may also require it to survive and flourish. It's about improving because of shocks, not just withstanding them.
We can cultivate an antifragile leadership mindset through deliberate practice. This can be achieved by engaging in new experiences and challenges like travelling, learning a new language or a hobby, meeting new people, and reflecting on our experiences through four key concepts... read more.
What to expect in 2024
TextThis year is going to be an exciting one Bluebird as there are several projects already lined up for my clients. In addition to the ongoing work, I'll be introducing two new leadership programs: Fit to Lead and Sustainable Shift. These programs are designed with the objective of shaping leaders who can effectively manage change and promote sustainable practices within their organisations.
There will also be a range of workshops, retreats and other adventure programs under the banner of Thriving Women. These programs are geared towards empowering women and enabling them to thrive in their personal and professional lives.
On another note, as I briefly mentioned in the introduction, I am also a proud co-host of a brand new podcast, Business Revolution. This podcast is focused on discussing the ongoing dynamic changes in the corporate world, particularly the shift towards more green, circular and sustainable practices. Business Revolution will be launching soon and you can learn more here.
What I am listening to 🎧
While I was away, I didn't listen to many podcasts. However, I managed to catch up on a roundup and summary of UN Climate Change Conference, COP28 on the Outrage + Optimism podcast. Towards the end of last year, there was extensive media coverage on COP28 in UAE. Their five episodes on COP28 were quite insightful if you're interested in understanding what was agreed upon, what was not, and the implications for businesses.
What I am learning 📖
A month before our trip to Japan, I decided to start learning Japanese in hopes of picking a few phrases and having a conversation. I highly recommend Duolingo if you’re planning to learn a language and not general phrases for tourists. While Duolingo builds a solid foundation, it doesn't initially provide many practical phrases for the typical tourist. I can now say “those are my red shoes” (if I had red shoes)!
I've maintained a 56 day learning streak, and I can read Hiragana and Katakana at a primary school level (although I am often unsure exactly what it means half the time), but I am starting to understand the the complexities of the Japanese language and characters and (thanks to Google) why there are three characters: Hiragana, Katakana and Kanji. Learn more about Duolingo.
What I am watching 📺
This is a beautiful, raw and honest story about post traumatic growth. Trevor Kennison first caught my attention when he jumped off Corbet's Couloir in Jackson Hole Mountain in his sit ski (an adaptive device enabling wheelchair users to ski) in 2019. Five years earlier, Trevor broke his back snowboarding, a plumber by trade and a snowboarder only by hobby, Trevor’s entire life was changed forever.
Wheelchair bound, on a whim, Trevor tried sit-skiing for the first time. His life changed forever once again: setting goals around sit-skiing progression and became the first sit-skier to launch into Corbet’s Couloir at the Kings and Queens of Corbet’s competition. His death-defying 60 foot leap of faith went viral and launched his career as a professional athlete. Watch the here.
Quote I'm pondering 💬
"Travel isn’t always pretty. It isn’t always comfortable. Sometimes it hurts, it even breaks your heart. But that’s okay. The journey changes you; it should change you. It leaves marks on your memory, on your consciousness, on your heart, and on your body. You take something with you. Hopefully, you leave something good behind."
I hope this was helpful and sparked some insights. I would love to hear your thoughts!
If you've been enjoying these emails, please forward this to a friend and encourage them to sign up for my monthly newsletter here. Thanks so much!
Warmly,
Cherry
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