This month’s political and military leadership theme reflects the ongoing catastrophe of the war in Ukraine. Its repercussions affecting not only the tragic victims of military aggression, but also the global economic outcomes that impact on us all. The JFK quote would be infinitely more meaningful if attribution was to Russian military leadership, and the Jimmy Hendrix ‘love of power’ quote referencing a dominating element that underlies Russian presidential purpose.

‘I look forward to a future in which our country will match its military strength with our moral restraint, its wealth with our wisdom, its power with our purpose.’
JOHN F. KENNEDY

‘Military power wins battles, but spiritual power wins wars.’
GENERAL GEORGE CATLETT MARSHALL

‘When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace.’
JIMMY HENDRIX

Quotes above are listed in EQ4U ‘Military’ section: MILITARY – EQ4U

A further deeply disturbing, chillingly descriptive and astute description of emotional impact is the fictional reference to a meeting with the Russian Head of State, described as ‘a ruthless tyrant, schooled in oppression both subtle and cruel’ and the feeling this incited:

‘His personal presence was intense. Standing close to him felt like being next to an explosive whose trigger was held in place by a tightly strung elastic, stretched to breaking.’

From – ‘State of Terror’ by Hilary Clinton and Louise Penny, p419

GRAMMAR/COMMUNICATION NOTES

Descriptors that apply to the military leadership perpetuated against Ukraine:

• Pernicious – wicked or malicious, causing grave harm
• Bellicose – warlike, aggressive, eager to fight
• Execrable – very bad, abhorrent
• Malevolent – malicious, having evil intent
Please continue to let me know if you have any grammar or communication notes that you would like me to include or if you have any comments.

Warmest & best wishes,

Jan

This month’s theme indicates the critical topic of perpetual learning and development, applicable to us all and key to effective EQ leadership. While formal instruction’s value is recognised, interpretation of the Oscar Wilde quote includes an underlying theme suggesting the need for self-recognition and reflection. The following apt and thoughtful reminders also include reference to opposing feedback approaches:

‘Education is a wonderful thing, provided you always remember that nothing worth knowing can ever be taught.’
OSCAR WILDE

‘The trouble with most of us is that we would rather be ruined by praise that saved by criticism.’
NORMAN VINCENT PEALE

‘It’s what you learn after you know it all that counts.’
JOHN WOODEN

Quotes above are listed in EQ4U ‘Learning & Achievement’ section:
LEARNING & ACHIEVEMENT – EQ4U

GRAMMAR/COMMUNICATION NOTES

An ongoing frustration with incorrect grammar on BBC News ‘Breaking News’ rolling updates, noted in a broadcast on 13th July – using it’s with an apostrophe incorrectly instead of its. Error picked up on typing this with autocorrect below, but evidently not checked before transmission by BBC for correct grammar.

X The government is to tackle it’s own confidence motion – should be:
The government is to tackle its own confidence motion

And a few words that you may find useful to use in the appropriate context:
• Vituperative – berate or rail against abusively/ blaming
• Abstruse – hard to understand
• Homophily – seeking out ’people like us’ (Aristotle, Plato & Socrates spoke about its danger and the need to encourage divergent thinking/ cognitive diversity)

Please continue to let me know if you have any grammar or communication notes that you would like me to include or if you have any comments.

Warmest & best wishes,

Jan

This month’s principled leadership theme quotes have been inspired by a political leader, recently interviewed for the EQ Political Leadership book I am currently writing in partnership with co-author, Daniel Kawczynski.

Hassan took over as an independent candidate Prime Minister of Lebanon in December 2019 when the country had reached breakdown point, and when many of its problems had been hidden or carefully concealed by previous administrations. Amid civil unrest following the Port of Beirut explosion in 2020 and in recognition of the overall accountability he held for the government’s performance as its leader, Hassan resigned as Prime Minister. After his resignation, he continued to serve as caretaker Prime Minister for over 13 months.

It has been a privilege and a pleasure to engage with Hassan, not only when he was interviewed for the book, but also on subsequent occasions during his recent visit to UK.

‘Effective leadership means having moral authority rather than formal authority’

‘Focus not on ego but on what can be achieved.’

HASSAN DIAB

Both quotes are listed in EQ4U ‘Leadership’ section.

GRAMMAR/COMMUNICATION NOTES

The first word below is one of my favourite words, essential to principled leadership. The second word also expresses a desirable leadership trait.

• Sagacious (adj) – foresight, discernment, ability to make wise judgements

• Perspicacious (adj) – quickly gaining insight into things –

Please continue to let me know if you have any grammar or communication notes that you would like me to include or if you have any comments.

Warmest & best wishes,

Jan

Amongst the negativity, complexity and concern about issues that are affecting people across the globe, a more positive and upbeat ‘success’ theme for this month’s quotes:

‘Success is not measured by height attained but by obstacles overcome.’
BRUCE JENNER

‘Passion plus vision plus action is the equation for success.’
MARILYN KING

‘Whoever I am, or whatever I am doing, some kind of excellence is within my reach.’
JOHN W. GARDNER

Quotes are listed in EQ4U ‘Learning & Achievement’ section.

GRAMMAR/COMMUNICATION NOTES

A couple of words this month that incorporate meaningful expression in one word instead of several:

• Meliorism – the notion that the world can be improved by human effort.

• Verisimilitude – the appearance or semblance of truth or reality / seemingly true

Please continue to let me know if you have any grammar or communication notes that you would like me to include or if you have any comments.

Warmest & best wishes,,

Jan

EQ4U UPDATE – MAY 2022

Sobering reflections on the global effect of the chillingly shocking and infinite stupidity demonstrated by Putin’s leadership of Russia’s war in Ukraine are encompassed in this month’s quotes:  

‘Two things are infinite: the universe and man’s stupidity; and I’m not sure about the universe.’

‘Three great forces rule the world: stupidity, fear and greed.’

EINSTEIN

Both quotes are listed in EQ4U ‘Philosophy’ section.

*GRAMMAR/COMMUNICATION NOTES

That vs. Who

This month’s grammar notes from Kathy’s book, pages 44 & 45, referencing that who is correct when referring to people. Examples as follows where that should be replaced by who.

• “I’m sorry there’s at least one of my colleagues that who can’t take a joke.”

• “You have a friend that’s who’s got your back.”

Please continue to let me know if you have any grammar or communication notes that you would like me to include or if you have any comments.

*Grammar notes are dedicated to the memory of ‘Ruthless Editor’ Kathy Watson.  Kathy’s book: ‘Grammar for people who hate rules’ is a helpful reference source. Link to book: https://amzn.to/2AaV5bE

Warmest & best wishes,

Jan

This month’s quotes denote excoriation of the unthinkable leadership behaviour of Vladimir Putin and the ongoing war in Ukraine. The first relating to denial of intentions and actions, applicable not only to Putin but also to others who deny the evidence of their behaviour. The second a reflection on the internecine factor of the war in Ukraine: ‘You can’t talk yourself out of what you’ve behaved yourself into.’ STEPHEN COVEY   ‘We will not submit to injustice – not merely because it is destroying us, but because it is destroying you as well.’ MAHATMA GHANDI   Both quotes are listed in EQ4U Quotations section, the first under ‘Character’ and the second under ‘Military’.     GRAMMAR/COMMUNICATION NOTES   Three words applicable to the Putin style of leadership:   Egregious – outstandingly bad / shocking/ obviously wrong beyond any reasonable degree Pernicious – wicked or malicious/ causing grave harm Bellicose –    eager to fight   Please continue to let me know if you have any grammar or communication notes that you would like me to include or if you have any comments.   Warmest & best wishes

EQ4U UPDATE – MARCH 2022

The quotes for March relate to an article advocating that ‘tough times call for true leaders’, ref CIPD, Work-Winter 2021, p11. GRAMMAR/COMMUNICATION NOTES below reflect the theme of potentially associated delusional and negative leadership traits. Justifiable excoriation of leaders to whom these attitudes and behaviours apply!

‘Leadership is an opportunity to serve, not a demonstration of self-importance.’

‘Many suffer from cognitive dissonance, believing themselves to be great leaders, when in fact they have led too many people into disaster.’

MANFRED KETS DE VRIES

GRAMMAR/COMMUNICATION NOTES

Leaders’ cognitive dissonance also describes the Dunning-Kruger effect named after Cornell University psychologists David Dunning and Justin Kruger’s 1999 research paper. The Dunning-Kruger effect occurs when leaders have limited personal awareness, and in particular hold a disproportionate view of their own importance and ability. Charles Darwin’s observations: ‘Ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge’, and ‘Those with limited knowledge in a domain suffer a dual burden: Not only do they reach mistaken conclusions and make regrettable errors, but their incompetence robs them of the ability to realize it’, are also indicative of the Dunning-Kruger effect.

WORD NOTES

Sophism /sophist Using clever but fake /seemingly plausible, though actually invalid, and misleading argument

Verisimilitude Having the appearance or semblance of truth or reality

Perissology Using a superfluity of words

Please continue to let me know if you have any grammar or communication notes that you would like me to include or if you have any comments.

Warmest & best wishes,

Jan