Why is it that people spend so much time asking how, and so little time asking why? Did we as kids run out of some predetermined number of "Whys" we had been granted? I know my kids ask me constantly, why dad?, but why? ... Why after why, after why? Nothing unusual, I am sure you did it to your parents, I know I did it to mine ... The question is why did we stop? I am often asked for advice about starting a business, and in the early days would jump in and try to help. I'd give support, and maybe some direction, until I noticed how few people actually did something. I still helped, but only if To View More >>

One of the things I love most about my job working in the wedding industry is the feeling of love, union, and joining together of people, families and our collective story. Sadly some people think that because we are ambitious business people and work hard that, we are all about business and nothing else. The truth is that our connection with humanity is deep and our love of people precious to us, therefore when I came across this website "I Take The Vow" I was moved by the the organisations ambition to have 100 million people take a vow of Non Violence In Their Thoughts, Their Speech and of course To View More >>

My day job is Managing Director of Queensberry, but about 3 years ago I joined the New Zealand Fire Service as a Volunteer Firefighter. Not long after joining I extended my role to include Medical First Response and I now hold the rank of Senior Fire Fighter. This has offered me an amazing array of experiences and learning opportunities. I hadn't expected it, but there are some incredible parallels between handling emergency situations and running high growth organizations like ours. I use this learning daily and have found the stories of jobs I have attended to be powerful metaphors for what To View More >>

The New Zealand Herald ran a story this morning about Kevin Roberts joining the board of New Zealand's Telecom. Some stories honestly just make me go, OMG, what? Here is one of my business heroes joining the board of a company (Telecom) that "I hate to love". I continue to support them despite myself, and despite the way they present themselves to their clients. But I would love to love them. In the interests of full disclosure, our company are pretty big telecommunication users. We are heavily dependent on Telecom for our international telephone presence, and we're big users of high speed internet. To View More >>

So leave a comment and tell me ... Would you get a hug? I would To View More >>

To say I am inspired by this is not enough, not even close, moved to tears seems more accurate. What an absolutely incredible example of a mans commitment and love for his son. And a sons ability to look past his own challenges and become so much more than any of us would think reasonable. Dick and Rick Hoyt you will be my heros forever. YOU CAN TOO! To View More >>

I found this a little while ago and thought it a great reminder of what it is to love and be loved. Dance like there is no one watching and love like you'll never get hurt ... It's more fun that way. What does your heart look like? To View More >>

I am so very proud of being kiwi, and yearn to be back in Aotearoa when I am travelling abroad. Of course I think the rest of the world is wonderful, with its own magic ... but it is always wonderful to be home ... This country is part of my soul Aotearoa |a??te???r???| the Maori name for New Zealand . ORIGIN Maori, literally "land of the long white cloud.” To View More >>

I was walking my dog today, as I do every morning, and walked past a woman whom I've said hello to virtually every morning for a year. As I got close I looked at her and smiled as I said hello, but she kept walking as if I didn't exist. As usual, I wondered, has something happened to make her so distant or is she just practicing a learned but rude habit? You need to understand we live in a semi rural area and almost everyone says hello. Today I remembered "That Woman at Grand Central Station" About two years ago, while visiting New York, I was sitting having lunch at one of the two-person tables To View More >>

Mates and family, they are definitely awesome! The best thing that has come from joining the Fire Service is the friendships that have developed. Last week we had a serious storm that blew a big tree across the road, destroying a power pole and tearing the lines from our rental property. Today two of my favorite people came over and helped restore things. That's Bain up in the basket and Vern down below. We had to spend the day trimming trees to re-thread the line, but it was very cool, we laughed, and I was very grateful. Days like today are also when family rallies around. While we did that To View More >>