A LIFE IN EDUCATION – SIR TIM BRIGHOUSE
I was honoured to attend the memorial service on Saturday for the wonderful human that was Sir Tim Brighouse. Everyone had a tale of how he made them feel ‘ten feet tall’ irrespective of role or seniority. He knew that making a difference relied upon having relationships (as Steve Radcliffe would say) ‘big enough to get the job done.’
I’ve been reflecting on the qualities that were cited that echo how I work with leaders today – whether that be coaching, training, facilitating. My top three takeaways and Tim’s legacy for me to role model and add value are:
1. Active Listening. One of my all-time favourite coaching quotes comes courtesy of Nancy Kline “listening to reply is different from listening to ignite.” I certainly can testify to the fizz of ideas and energy that came to one’s mind with his genuine interest.
2. Positive language. Language matters and as David Marquet author of the successful and enjoyable ‘Turn the Ship Around’ in his follow up book noted “Leadership is Language.” Keys to success promotes a more hopeful, motivating future than dwelling on the deficits.
3. Connective Advantage. According to Simon Sinek “People don’t buy what you do; people buy why you do it.” Tim would relish the discussion about how to make a difference to the lives of children and young people through education. And he was also about taking the next steps towards a better future. As people kept reiterating at the service, Tim had that special quality of envisioning this is where you could go, and I’ll walk with you. A powerful perspective.
And a last quote from Maya Angelou that sums up why I was privileged to be there on Saturday, along with so many others – “I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
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