I have rebuilt one of my favourite resources!
When I was at New Zealand Post, I had a deck of photos that I used to help break the ice, create connection and build context and understanding. Late last year I tapped into the beautiful and free photo library on https://unsplash.com to create a whole new set.
Some of my favourite prompts I’ve been using are:
- Pick a photo that represents how you feel about being a leader
- Pick a photo that brings you joy
- Pick a photo that represents your home life
- Pick a photo that represents something not many people know about you
- Pick a photo that represents what change feels like to you
- Pick a photo that shows how you feel about the day ahead
Here are some other ideas shared with me via a call out on LinkedIn:
- Leadership Development– Choose a photo that represents where you are on your leadership journey or choose a photo that shows what leadership means to you.
- Strategy session – Pick two photos: one that depicts the organisation now and one that depicts the organisation in X amount of years
- Intention setting – Choose a photo that shows how you want to feel today.
- Leading Change – Pick a photo about what change feels like to you
- Values– Pick a photo that represents one of your core values
I’d also like to acknowledge the talented and generous photographers who post their photos on Unsplash and my daughter Midge who, for an agreed sum, laminated and cut out (rounding all the corners so no one gets hurt!) over 130 photos.
Latest thinking
The Power of Story Telling
A leader who can tell a story well comes across as more genuine, approachable and human. You’re letting the people you lead have a sneak peak into your life – the ups, downs and roundabouts you’ve travelled to get to where you are now.
Being Deliberate About Building Trust
When employees feel trusted, they are more likely to contribute ideas, work better together, and help the team succeed.
Off Balance, On Purpose
Even though I manage my own diary and I have full control over what goes in and when, I wouldn’t change a thing because I have a clear purpose.