The Business Exchange Bath & Somerset Issue 13: Autumn 2019 | Page 37

Lawyer makes work play Peter Woodhouse is an employment law expert and heads up the Business Sector at national law firm Stone King – but what about outside work? In each issue of TBE Peter reflects on skills, opportunities and challenges that we see at work in play, and in play at work. S.W.E.A.T. Analysis anyone? Regular readers will be familiar with my theory that “Everyone’s a Lawyer”, because many skills practised in the courtroom are also generally practised in everyday life, and by us all at work. For the next series of articles I think this theory can be extended to our leisure time. I want to start with what challenges us to succeed? What holds us back? What about those days when we don’t seem to want to do anything? It is important for us (well for me at least) to understand why this happens. And in this realm of self-reflection I was put in mind of a swim coach I once had. In the past I’ve done a bit of cycling and running and wanted to add swimming and try a triathlon. So I went to a coach and swam 100m for him. As I got out he said: “That was really good: there’s loads to work on!” I think there’s a lot in that statement that can be applied to the workplace. Take the common strategic planning tool of SWOT (Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats) Analysis, often refined to SCOT Analysis, where Weaknesses become Challenges. I think my coach was telling me was that whilst I was pretty rubbish, significant gains could still be made. He wanted me to see that what I might think of as a weakness was really an Opportunity, and possibly a Challenge. Some of my clients have banned the word “Problem” from the Board Room. Perhaps a trifle extreme for some, but the point is that at work and play, we should be analysing how we get to places, not how we won’t get to those places. So for those who play as hard as they work, here’s my own SWEAT analysis: Strength, Will, Effect, Attraction and Time. I will only be motivated to improve my swim times if swimming ticks the same boxes as when I’m motivated to complete a work project. I need the strength or energy and desire to achieve the project. I need to be able to visualise and like what success looks like and be realistic about what time it will take to get it to look like that. Peter Woodhouse, partner and head of business at Stone King If success seems too remote, maybe I will reanalyse what success looks like: rather than set a high bar and fail, I could set a low bar first and see how I get on. Or as my swim coach might say, if you don’t sink, you can call it swimming. e: [email protected] t: 01225 326753 twitter: @StoneKingLLP For more info: www.stoneking.co.uk When you need time away from the offi ce to allow clarity of thought, Combe Grove is the perfect destination to help you deliver results, with great views guaranteed. OUR DAY DELEGATE RATE INCLUDES Mid-morning tea and coffee with fruit or biscuits Sandwich lunch Bottled mineral water Mid-afternoon tea and coffee Data projector and screen Flip-chart, notepads and pens Complimentary WiFi www.combegrove.com CG TBE 1/4 page ad.indd 1 ROOM HIRE Free onsite parking. You can enjoy a dip in the pool, a steam and sauna or one of our dynamic studio classes for as little as £12 extra per person. 01225 834 644 Get in touch to book your bespoke meeting today. Combe Grove is owned by The Elmhurst Foundation, a charity that is transforming the site into a centre for work-based learning excellence with a range of high quality, enhanced apprenticeships. Over the coming months and years, The Elmhurst Foundation will continue to evolve the hotel into a go-to destination for health & wellbeing, making the very most of its tranquil woodland setting and outstanding views. [email protected] 22/08/2019 THE BUSINESS EXCHANGE 2019 16:53 37