About James

I've been an unconventional leader since I was a teenager. First with the scout movement, then the Territorial Army. After university I joined the UK civil service on a graduate management development programme. My career is now in its third decade and I've worked in Finance, HR, policy, strategy, IT, change, operations management and internal consultancy. Over the years I've mentored, coached and developed dozens of senior managers and hundreds of people.

The Secret of Success or Snake Oil?

The Secret of Success is often snake oil

The Secret of Success is offered on many pages across the Internet.  They’re almost all snake oil salesmen trying to part you from your money with the temptation of an easy win. The real secret of success is nothing of Continue reading The Secret of Success or Snake Oil?

Influential Books – Ten Books You Should Read

Some of my most influential books

A friend recently did a facebook list of the ten most influential books that had the most impact on his life, and he tagged me in it. This got me thinking.  I found it hard to identify ten influential books.  I Continue reading Influential Books – Ten Books You Should Read

Refugee Crisis – How Can We Help?

I’m pretty sure everyone in the UK has seen the awful pictures of Aylan Kurdi, the three year old Syrian boy who drowned along with his five-year-old brother Galip and their mother, Rehan while trying to escape Syria and join relatives Continue reading Refugee Crisis – How Can We Help?

Getting A Civil Service Job

Today is my last day in my current civil service job. On Monday I will start a new civil service job, on promotion, with a different civil service department. Figuratively, I will be at the other end of Government. Physically Continue reading Getting A Civil Service Job

Green Ink for happier editing?

For almost two decades I have used green ink when commenting on documents and for editing.  I’ve come to believe that green ink is the best colour for editing for a variety of reasons. Here they are.   Green Ink Continue reading Green Ink for happier editing?