Closing Out The Year And Preparing For The Next – The Quadrant Reflections Map
Posted on November 8, 2025 Leave a Comment
Today, I’d like us to look at the Quadrant Reflections Map, a guiding framework we can use to thoughtfully close out this year while also laying the foundations for the next, and for the years beyond.
Overview
Each quadrant represents a different perspective: our vision for the future, the community that supports us, the history that grounds us, and the reflections that help us adapt.
As we move through each quadrant below, let the lighthouse remind you that reflection is not just about looking back, but about orienting ourselves toward what matters most.
Vision / Guidance (Top Left)
When using this step, focus on clarity of purpose: What do you want to illuminate for yourself or your community? What future possibilities are worth steering toward? By writing here, you create a compass point that helps align decisions with a broader vision.
Example
“I want to build a career that blends creativity with impact. My guiding light is to create work that not only excites me but also helps others see the world differently. Over the next five years, I envision myself leading projects that combine storytelling and strategy, where ideas spark real change.”
Community / Connection (Top Right)
Use this space to capture stories of collaboration, traditions that bind people together, or ways to nurture trust and inclusion. It’s a reminder that no vision stands alone—it shines brighter when it resonates with a community.
Example
“The people who sustain me are my close friends, my colleagues who push me to think bigger, and my local community group where I volunteer. These connections remind me that my work isn’t just about me—it’s about contributing to something larger. I want to keep strengthening these ties by showing up consistently and celebrating others’ wins.”
Foundations / History (Bottom Left)
When filling in this section, reflect on the milestones, past challenges, and formative experiences that have shaped your path. This isn’t about nostalgia for its own sake—it’s about recognizing the enduring strengths and wisdom that can be carried forward. By grounding yourself here, you ensure that future steps are built on solid footing.
Example
“Looking back, I see how my love of writing started in childhood, when I kept notebooks full of stories. My first job taught me discipline and resilience, even when the work wasn’t glamorous. My family’s emphasis on education and curiosity has always been a foundation. These roots remind me that persistence and playfulness are part of who I am.”
Reflections / Adaptation (Bottom Right)
Use this part to consider: How have my choices been received? What patterns or feedback loops are emerging? What needs to be recalibrated? By engaging with this quadrant, you embrace reflection not as passive looking back, but as an active process of reshaping and evolving.
Example
“This past year, I took on too many projects at once and ended up stretched thin. The reflection here is clear: I need to pace myself and prioritize quality over quantity. I’ve learned that saying ‘no’ can be just as powerful as saying ‘yes.’ Going forward, I’ll adapt by setting clearer boundaries and focusing on fewer, more meaningful projects.”
How Have I Put The Quadrant Reflections Map Into Practice?
Using the Quadrant Reflections Map, I reflected on my current path and worked out what I will need to do in terms of plotting a new course going forward:
Please share any thoughts you may have regarding the Reflections Map
🎶 Celebrating Nigel Westlake: Australia’s Musical Storyteller 🎶
Posted on November 5, 2025 2 Comments
One of my favourite pieces by a composer is Nigel Westlake’s Penguin Ballet…
Nigel Westlake (b. 1958) is one of Australia’s most celebrated composers, conductors, and musicians. His career spans more than four decades, weaving together film scores, orchestral works, and chamber music that have touched audiences worldwide.
From the whimsical charm of Babe and Paper Planes to the lyrical beauty of Miss Potter and the recent Blueback, Nigel Westlake’s film music has become part of the film landscape. His compositions, like those of many composers, don’t just underscore stories—they become the emotional heartbeat of them.
But Nigel’s artistry extends far beyond the screen. His concert works—such as Missa Solis: Requiem for Eli (dedicated to his late son) and Compassion (a collaboration with Lior)—show how music can be a vessel for grief, healing, and human connection.
These works have earned him some of Australia’s highest musical honours, including multiple APRA awards, ARIA awards, and the prestigious Paul Lowin Orchestral Prize.
Nigel’s journey began as a clarinettist, touring the world as a teenager before turning to composition. His foundation, Smugglers of Light, continues his family’s legacy by supporting youth and Indigenous communities through music and film.
What makes Nigel remarkable is not just his technical brilliance, but his ability to translate life’s joys and sorrows into soundscapes that feel both intimate and universal. His music reminds us that art is not only entertainment—it’s a way of remembering, connecting, and imagining.
Rocking Movember – Changing Men’s Health
Posted on November 1, 2025 9 Comments
It’s that time of year again—when the humble moustache becomes a bold banner for men’s health🥸
Movember isn’t just about growing facial hair (though let’s be honest, some of us will be rocking questionable styles by week two). It’s about sparking conversations that matter:
- Mental health 💬 – reminding each other it’s okay to talk, and even more okay to listen.
- Prostate & testicular cancer 🎗 – encouraging early checks and breaking down stigma.
- Community & connection 🤝 – because no one should face life’s challenges alone.
This month, join the millions around the world in raising awareness and funds for men’s health. Every moustache tells a story—of resilience, of care, of solidarity.
So here’s my challenge: if you see the ’stache, let it remind you to check in on a mate (good friend), book that overdue appointment, or simply start a conversation that could make a difference.
Together, we can change the face of men’s health. 💪
Movember #MensHealth #GrowAMoSaveABro
Old Hallow’s Eve – Time For Some Fun
Posted on October 31, 2025 5 Comments
As many of us know, Old Hallows’ Eve—better known today as Halloween—is the evening of October 31, the vigil before All Saints’ Day (November 1). It blends ancient Celtic traditions with Christian observances, evolving into the modern celebration of costumes, trick-or-treating, and community festivities.
Here’s a fun Halloween fact: 🎃 The very first Jack‑o’‑lanterns weren’t carved from pumpkins at all—they were made from turnips and even potatoes in Ireland and Scotland. When immigrants brought the tradition to America, pumpkins quickly took over because they were bigger, easier to carve, and far less smelly!
Have a Happy Halloween 🎃 👻
The Lonely Bull – Playful, Majestic, Enduring
Posted on October 29, 2025 4 Comments
The Lonely Bull is the sound of a trumpet reaching beyond borders, and in doing so, it gave the world a melody that still resonates more than 60 years later…
My Most Enduring Memories of Herb Alpert
I remember, as a little boy, staring at Mum’s poster of the lone toreador— a striking image of Herb Alpert’s very first album.
Even then, the poster felt larger than life: bold, dramatic, and somehow timeless.
When I finally heard Herb Alpert’s music, the sound matched the picture—somehow playful, yet majestic. It was as if the trumpet itself was giving voice to the drama and joy that image had always promised.
I think this experience was key for me appreciating the trumpet and other brass instruments ever since.
The Influence of Herb Alpert
Herb Alpert emerged from Los Angeles with a trumpet in hand and a vision that would ripple far beyond the bandstand. With the Tijuana Brass, he crafted a sound that was at once playful and sophisticated, capable of outselling the Beatles at their peak while still carrying the intimacy of a street‑corner serenade.
Yet Alpert was never content to remain only a performer—his co‑founding of A&M Records with Jerry Moss transformed a garage start‑up into one of the most influential independent labels in history, nurturing artists as diverse as The Carpenters, Janet Jackson, and The Police.
What makes Alpert compelling is not just the statistics—72 million records sold, nine Grammys, and the rare feat of topping the Billboard charts as both a vocalist and instrumentalist—but the way he consistently blurred boundaries between music, business, and visual art.
His trumpet became a voice for the shy boy who once let the horn “speak for him,” and in doing so, he gave generations of listeners a sound that was both exuberant and timeless. Alpert’s legacy is not merely in the notes he played, but in the structures he built—bridges between genres, platforms for artists, and a reminder that creativity, when paired with courage, can echo across decades.
Pie in the Sky – The Embodiment of Servant Leadership
Posted on October 26, 2025 6 Comments
“Pie in the Sky” is a British comedy-drama that blends cosy mystery with culinary charm, following Detective Inspector Henry Crabbe as he juggles police work with his dream of running a restaurant.
Pie in the Sky ran for five seasons over 1994 – 1997. It is notable for its warm, character-driven storytelling, its mix of crime-solving and gastronomy, and its exploration of the tension between duty and personal fulfillment.
Richard Griffiths was a marvellous actor and his role as Henry Crabbe a true delight. Henry is a firm family favourite. Clearly smarter than his superiors, treated his offsiders with respect, loved his wife Margaret (played by the equally wonderful Maggie Steed) and ruled the kitchen with real flair. We also wanted his culinary team and restaurant front of house to succeed.
Richard went on to become a highly decorated thespian, best known for his stage triumph in The History Boys, which earned him both an Olivier Award (2005) and Tony Award on Broadway (2006). He was also nominated for a BAFTA (2007) and appointed an OBE in 2008.
You may have also seen Richard Griffiths in Withnail and I (1987) – considered a classic performance as Uncle Monty, a role that became iconic. Also in the Harry Potter series (2001–2011) – where he played Vernon Dursley, Harry’s unpleasant uncle, in five of the films. He also played a personal chef in Guarding Tess.
Henry Crabbe embodied servant leadership before the term was fashionable: he put people first, upheld his values, and created environments—whether in the police station or the kitchen—where others could thrive.
Our House – Madness
Posted on October 22, 2025 Leave a Comment
Our House by Madness is more than a hit single — it’s a cultural touchstone. It represents the joy and chaos of family life, the wit of British pop, and the global reach of the 2-Tone Ska movement. Its chorus has become part of everyday language, ensuring its place in popular memory.
We should enjoy Our House because it captures something universal: the messy, noisy, affectionate chaos of family life. It celebrates the ordinary — kids running around, parents juggling routines, the humour and frustration of living together under one roof. That relatability is why the chorus “Our house, in the middle of our street” still makes people smile and sing along decades later.
In my own household, this chaos was clearly abundant when our kids were little. I would get home from work and there would be between ten and twenty kids having a great time and my wife preparing dinner for everyone! Being the cranky sort I am, I would roll with it 😁 And, Our House is a song I like to play on my guitar.
“Doing A Bradbury” – How to Seize Opportunities When Trailing Behind
Posted on October 19, 2025 1 Comment
In Australia, the phrase “doing a Bradbury” entered the national lexicon, meaning to triumph through perseverance and by capitalising on others’ mistakes.
Steven Bradbury has been dubbed “the luckiest Olympic gold medalist.” Apart from being the most famous short track skater, he is a successful business person and motivational speaker.
Steve’s approach to success uses his knowledge regarding how to position yourself to come from behind and be ready to seize opportunity.
For those who don’t know, Steve was a rank outsider regarding the speed skating event at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. At 28, he was already a veteran of four Olympics and had endured serious injuries, including a life‑threatening accident in 1994 when another skater’s blade sliced his thigh, and a broken neck in 2000.
Simply making it to Salt Lake City was an achievement.
In the quarter‑finals, Steve finished third but advanced when Canada’s defending champion Marc Gagnon was disqualified. In the semi‑finals, he again trailed the leaders until a collision wiped out three skaters, allowing him to qualify for the final.
In The Final on 16 February 2002:
- The five‑man field included Apolo Anton Ohno (USA), Ahn Hyun‑soo (KOR), Li Jiajun (CHN), and Mathieu Turcotte (CAN) — all world‑class contenders.
- Steve deliberately held back in last place, knowing the chaotic nature of short track often produced crashes. His strategy was simple: stay upright and hope for mistakes ahead.
- On the final bend, Li attempted an ambitious pass on Ohno. The move triggered a chain reaction, sending all four front‑runners sprawling across the ice.
- Steve, several metres behind, avoided the pile‑up and skated through to the finish line, arms raised in disbelief.
Steve’s win wasn’t blind luck — it was risk management in action. He recognised his comparative disadvantage, assessed the volatility of short track racing, and adopted a strategy that maximised his chance of success. His story illustrates that sometimes leadership means staying upright, managing exposure, and being ready when opportunity arises.
One Of These Things is Not Like The Others
Posted on October 15, 2025 Leave a Comment
I had a love hate relationship with Sesame Street. However, one of its enduring themes was One Of These Things is Not Like The Others. So, today, I thought I might let you pick from the following who is the one who doesn’t belong and see if you get it right:
For those who don’t know:
Spit follows Johnny Spitieri, the classic underdog, a small-time ex-crim who returns to Australia after 20 years abroad. Detained upon arrival, he’s thrown into a detention centre where he confronts old enemies, befriends new misfits, and teaches his own twisted version of Aussie mateship—all while trying to stay ahead of trouble.
Horatio Hornblower – Leadership in Fiction and Legacy in Practice
Posted on October 12, 2025 Leave a Comment
C.S. Forester’s Horatio Hornblower is more than a naval hero of the Napoleonic Wars. He is a study in leadership under pressure: brilliant yet self‑doubting, decisive yet deeply human…
Forester’s creation of Horatio Hornblower in the late 1930s gave readers a naval officer whose career spanned the Napoleonic Wars.
Unlike the mythic, flawless heroes of earlier adventure fiction, Hornblower was deliberately human: seasick, socially awkward, and plagued by self‑doubt. Yet through intellect, courage, and relentless perseverance, he rose from midshipman to Admiral of the Fleet.
Hornblower’s story is not just naval drama—it is a study in leadership under pressure, the psychology of command, and the tension between personal vulnerability and professional excellence.
To this end, I am going to explore three key aspects regarding Horatio Hornblower: his leadership qualities, notable achievements and legacy.
Leadership Qualities
So, what were Hornblower’s leadership qualities on offer, right from when he started out as a Midshipman and recognised early on by his mentor Admiral Sir Edmund Pellew (The Viscount Exmouth):
Strategic Mindset: Hornblower consistently out‑thought opponents, using unorthodox tactics and calculated risks to achieve victory.
Resilience in Adversity: Despite chronic self‑doubt, he never allowed fear to paralyse decision‑making. His ability to act decisively in crisis defined his command.
Moral Integrity: He balanced duty with compassion, often making choices that prioritised humanity over expedience.
Adaptive Leadership: Hornblower navigated rigid naval hierarchies and class barriers, proving that merit and competence could outweigh privilege.
Self‑Awareness: His inner conflicts—fear of failure, social unease—made him relatable, and underscored the reality that great leaders are not free of doubt, but act in spite of it.
Leadership Insight: Self‑awareness, even when uncomfortable, sharpens judgment. Leaders who acknowledge their flaws are less likely to be undone by them.
Inspirational Insight
Hornblower’s crews followed him not because he was flawless, but because he was competent, courageous, and visibly human.
- When commanding HMS Hotspur, Hornblower is tasked with blockading the French coast. Outnumbered and outgunned, he cannot rely on brute force. Instead, he employs unorthodox tactics.
- In Lieutenant Hornblower, he engineers a mutiny’s suppression by out‑thinking a tyrannical captain.
- In A Ship of the Line, he uses unexpected manoeuvres to capture a superior Spanish vessel.
- In Flying Colours, even as a prisoner, he plots escape by exploiting small opportunities others overlook.
Key Insight: Inspiration often comes not from perfection, but from the visible struggle to rise above imperfection.
Achievements
There are four very distinct achievements by Hornblower. All of them based on not just his personality but perseverance and sweat and trying to understand the opponent:
Winning against the odds
Hornblower built his reputation on turning impossible situations into victories. Outgunned, outnumbered, or caught in a storm, he always found a way to out‑think the enemy. His genius wasn’t brute force — it was spotting the one angle no one else saw.
Climbing the ladder the hard way
He didn’t come from privilege. Seasick, self‑doubting, and awkward, he still rose from Midshipman to Admiral of the Fleet. Every step up was earned through grit and competence, not connections. That’s why his story resonates to this day — it’s merit, not entitlement.
More than a fighter
Hornblower wasn’t just a man of cannons and sails. He could negotiate with allies, govern captured territories, and balance politics with principle. He showed that leadership isn’t only about winning battles — it’s about building trust and keeping peace.
Enduring Role Model
Even outside the novels, Hornblower inspired generations. Naval officers studied him, Churchill admired him, and readers still see him as the model of flawed but brilliant leadership. His greatest achievement wasn’t just what he did in the stories — it’s how he continues to shape how we think about command and character.
Legacy
Hornblower endures as more than a fictional officer—he is, as we have seen above, a leadership model. His story illustrates that:
- Command is lonely: Leaders often bear the weight of decisions in isolation. I should know. I call this whistling in the wind. It’s similar to when the decks of a ship become eerily deserted or you find yourself hanging out over a ledge hanging by a slender thread with no one insight to reel you in.
- Courage is not the absence of fear: It is the ability to act despite of it. This in itself is a profound truth. Have a plan. Have a backup plan. Have a back up to your back up. In the absence of a plan, practice mindfulness – become flexible in your thinking. This will allow you to adapt quickly when presented with a sudden situation.
- Integrity matters: True authority rests not only on power, but on moral credibility. A classic example is: if you say you are going to do something, then do it! Hornblower always delivered.
Through novels, films, and television, Hornblower continues to resonate as a case study in leadership that is brilliant, flawed, and profoundly human.
In Summary…
“What leadership lessons do you take from Hornblower’s story?”
strategic teams 