When we smile, genuinely smile, we say to the world and to the people we encounter: “you’re welcome. You’re okay and I’m okay”. And in our world of work, when we smile and genuinely smile, we say to our colleagues: “you’re welcome. You have my attention” And if to some people you are a leader, your warm and genuine smile will say: “ You matter. Your opinion counts. I am open to what you say.

Taking the time to learn about and understand a person, who they are and what they are about would go along way to demonstrate your love and care for another. Mistakes of course do happen and many will be genuine. There are others though that are generated out of a lack of care. Only the person involved would know. We should strive to walk in alignment with our values and intent and in so doing, enable others and indeed ourselves to thrive.

When a new year beckons its normal and indeed exciting to be full of hope and anticipation. It is also a good time to reflect on the year to date, learnings had, experiences shared and insights gain. These lead to our continued unfolding and growth and in a way that benefits not only us but also those whom we are blessed to encounter on our life's journey

I cannot imagine that any one of us stood at the beginning of 2020 and said “yup! This is a year that I’m going to lose my job, I’m going to challenge my personal integrity and that of my friends, family and colleagues; I’m going to march in frustration and anger at the murder of an innocent human being because of the colour of his skin; I’m going to switch on my phone or my TV and see nations across the world rise to their feet to march alongside me, tears streaming down eyes; oh and by the way, I’m also going to spend all my time on the computer, locked up in my home, unable to hug my family and friends and conduct all of my business at an imposed distance ....”

The murder of George Floyd by a member of an institution whose purpose and reason for being is to protect him is one that has evoked emotion at levels that many have not predicted. Yet this is unsurprising. I cannot begin to imagine the pain of any mother of any race or leaning that would not feel despair at the cruel deprivation of her son’s life. His murder is an indication of racism and discrimination at its very worst. What is frightening is the fact that this officer grew up somewhere, was educated somewhere, developed values and an outlook of life somewhere. Small behaviours of exclusion, discrimination overlooked or not challenged and even at times endorsed.

Once upon a time I boarded a flight from London Heathrow to Paris Charles De Gaulle airport on my way to a week of anticipated rewarding experiences. Doing what I love most and in the company of people I love lots.