This past week, I was back in Manchester for the PSR event, discussing how we can better use data and collaboration to support customers.

The weather was glorious, and even the moon popped out to advertise Premier Inn later in the evening.

As with quite a few events recently, I spent some time front of house chairing, helping to keep things running along. It can be a busy time, and also challenging, juggling responsibilities for content delivery while also making time to chat with everyone.

There is a fabulous book, Black Box Thinking, that mentions this… the concept of task loading. When managing multiple competing priorities at once, it becomes increasingly difficult to multitask effectively, and at times I found this a bit of a struggle here. There is, after all only so much you can do and think about, before it becomes overwhelming. So if you were at the event, and I seemed distracted, my apologies, this falls in the category of ‘things to do better next time’.

However, it also made me pause to think about how this dynamic can play out in our wider day-to-day work lives.

When deadlines pile up and priorities compete for attention, it’s also true that these, often smaller, interpersonal moments are the ones that get sidelined. It is being ‘stressed’ I suppose. Yet it is also these very moments that are often the most important for building relationships. The things that don’t show up on the to-do list can make some of the biggest differences in how we all work together.

Multitasking Myth

We often tell ourselves we can multitask.

These days it seems it is common to see people replying to emails during meetings, checking their phone for the next message or simply pushing to get things done as fast as possible.

It’s okay, we all do it! I think somewhat a function of technology (because we can) and need (because we have so many things we need to do) in today’s world.

Even last night I was ‘multi-tasking’ watching a movie on TV (Conclave, it is quite topical)… checking real life details, locations, where I know that actor from, etc.. in the background during the movie… the whole multi-tasking behaviour is getting quite pervasive.

However, the truth is, when the cognitive load gets too high, something has to give. Be it details of the film, or missing chatting with folks in a meeting. You can feel it.

Making time

So what is the solution… I mean we are not about to be asked to do less, know less or be asked to get less done and whilst sitting around the beach relaxing is a great dream, when not on holiday, it is probably not sustainable over the long run!

The day-to-day reality of work and the work day can be complex, but by taking a work event as an analogy, can we look at this as a work day microcosm to help think about solutions?

Thinking of it in this way, I suppose, makes it is really quite simple: we need to be more deliberate about creating free space (at events and in our workday), for these conversations and these connections.

The free space doesn’t have goals, objectives and is probably not on the to-do list. This is the reason it is hard, often, to protect the time. This is the real challenge.

We need to build this free space in, to try to step out of the purely transactional mindset a little, to create the time to chat, relax and enjoy it all a bit more. After all, it matters.

And, whilst it matters for ourselves, it also matters for colleagues. Be it you are a leader, manager or owner of a company, think about how to let other people build in time too, it allows us all to work a little smarter.

Looking forward

So whilst I do think double tasking in front of TV will continue to be a struggle… I mean, how else would I have found out that there are exactly 117 miles of track between Manchester Piccadilly and Milton Keynes station.. so at full speed would take less than an hour… fascinating! 🙂

Workwise, I do think this is something that can be more easily built in and definitely something to ponder a little more once the week starts properly (it is something we have already built in for the next event!).

Hope you have had a nice long weekend (May day in the UK).

Have a good week, everyone.

Sad news last week, my cat died.  She lived to a grand old age, had a good life, and it was not unexpected… So, although it was sad, it was more melancholy than tragedy, and she will certainly be remembered fondly.

Now all of this happened just before the long weekend and like many of these things, although they are something you know has happened, life is busy, had just just have to get on with things without thinking about it too much.

This week, however, with festivities over, the schools back, things are slowly returning to a little more routine… and with not working onsite, I have been able to get on with things a little more quietly… whilst working remotely. 

Working remotely in my house is not exactly serene, but it is a different pace. I would linked to to working in the school library, rather than that free period in room 3B!… Now I am sure many people preferred the break room or common room, but I was firmly in the library camp (yes, with my little briefcase… lol), not only as I didn’t have to duck to avoid paper-based projectiles, but because I could focus and concentrate.

And, often it is in these moments that you notice things the most. Like today. Today was the day I really noticed the cat was gone. 

My normal routine:

• 2 (very) large cups of tea… before a few meetings first thing.
• Around 10:30 – get up and make a fresh coffee…

It was at this point I realised I would normally go to pet the cat and check she is okay (it relaxed me too)… except this time she was, of course, not there. 

Now it is only a small thing, and as mentioned, I was not too upset, but it did make me realise how often it is the small things that make you notice change. They can have a disproportionately big impact.

Back in the office… with my coffee… this got me thinking about how important it is to pay attention to other small moments too.

So, it is not necessarily the big wins, grand gestures and shiny things that can have the big impact… the quiet and steady presence, little touches, just being there for folks matter too.

Pound for pound – dollar for dollar, the impact of these can after all be very effective… the challenge… effort is required! As a result, they can be all too easy to put to one side, often only realising when it is too late. Money is, after all is simple if you have it.

So a surprise spring resolution… to try to look after the little things a little more, be there for folks and try to not worry so much about being that quiet(er) presence in the corner.

Welcome back, everyone.

If you haven’t been recently, it really is worth the trip. I’ve just returned from another visit out East. 

Flying back to Heathrow, walking across the linoleum worn by the endless stream of feet and wheeled suitcases—is always a bit of a reverse culture shock. But this time, I felt it even worse.

Every time I go to Asia, I’m struck by just how modern the infrastructure has become. It really is truly world-class—new, advanced, and incredibly well-designed. Deeply impressive.

I recently read a statistic stating that China has used more concrete in the last three years than the US did in the entire 20th century. That’s quite the achievement and highlights the sheer pace of change across the entire region.

However, what stood out most for me on this trip wasn’t just the futuristic, gleaming new buildings and technology, but just how well it is all being maintained.

Now, I’m not saying that building new things is easy; it’s not, but the shiny and new does often get all the attention.

Big projects often attract the investment, recognition, and excitement. The same is true for new products, new processes, and new technologies—we all love them. I certainly do, especially when it comes to cutting-edge, shiny, tech!

But while new is exciting, what truly keeps everything running is often the established systems and infrastructure—those that already have their costs well and truly sunk, yet continue to function reliably. Well and properly maintained, they can last for decades.

It is this that most impressed on this trip. Revisiting places from 10, 15 years ago and seeing them not only still standing but being actively maintained, renewed, and updated.

It was no small feat, and takes real commitment together with a degree of long-term commitment and planning.

The same applies to business. We often focus on new customers, new products, and new technology because they demand attention and investment. It is even true for new employees too. 

This is not to say there isn’t value there, there is… but does it also get a disproportionate amount of attention (and investment), vs those old legacy processes, nay customer and even employees… who are always there reliably working away in the background? Maybe.

The challenge is ignoring and passing over some of these processes and customers (yes and employees) can of course come at a cost. They may not be the most exciting places to be in the office, but they are probably holding up a lot of the business in the background… and if they are not there, or go wrong… it can be a shock!

After all, all new infrastructure, customers and employees at some point eventually become “legacy”. Doing nothing may save money in the short term, but in the long run, should it go wrong if can cost even more to fix. If we look after them along the way, they last longer and can generate even greater value.

And, this was what was impressive from the trip.  Seeing the investment in maintenance, looking after and planning for the long term, balancing the new, whilst valuing the old.

Something to bring back to the office I thought… one to mull on.

Have a good rest of the week everyone.