Over the past few years I’ve been running my interactive workshops for barristers and solicitors wanting to gain insights into the Silk and/or Judicial application processes. I’ve very much enjoyed doing these and have received some excellent feedback. I was approached to run another one for a chambers on the Midlands Circuit in May – but then we were hit by the Covid-19 pandemic.
I think there are some absolutely brilliant Ted Talks and I’ve eagerly shared them with many clients as well as during my workshops on leadership and communication. However, I find that music and songs have a greater impact on people. Perhaps it is true: “We learned more from a 3-minute record then we ever learned in school”.
When we were in Wasdale last summer we saw two guys swimming Wast Water and although we are all now blaming each other, someone (Sarah, Jim or I) said “we should do that next year”. The vague idea has been in the back of our minds and then, before we knew it, it was Easter and a few months to our annual camping trip.
To complicate matters our local swimming pool has been closed for refurbishments. We’ve had to find other pools and I’ve had the most flexibility and have swum most mornings. It has been much harder for Sarah and Jim to find space in their schedules and swimming a distance takes us some time!
What is it like starting your own business? I use the analogy of an airplane taxiing down the runway and then opening the throttle to take off. It is unnerving. It takes a lot of effort and you think you’ve built enough momentum, but you’re running out of runway and you have to hold your nerve. It is stressful, liberating, fun, challenging, frustrating, rewarding. It is time and life consuming.
I started my business 4 years ago and I’ve learnt so much. One of the toughest things, when you are building your business, is trying to find a healthy work/life balance.
When I was growing up in West London we had a wonderful next door neighbour, Mrs. Cooper, who was more like a grandmother to me. She was such a gentle yet great character, frail but immensely strong, wise and patient. As a trainee nurse she slipped while pushing a trolley and lost all her teeth when she was just 18. She drove ambulances throughout London during the Second World War. She had a budgie called Joey and deep brown eyes. If I were to describe her in one word it would be: kind.
**** Feedback from my Faculty of Advocates Workshop Vice-Dean to Tim Collins ****
How to approach making a judicial or Silk application and how to stand out from the crowd at your selection day or interview.
In a two hour interactive workshop I will discuss and answer any questions candidates may have on:
Why competency based recruitment?
How do the qualifying tests work?
How do you select and support your referees?
How to develop compelling application forms?
How you can prepare to succeed at interviews?
Many who know me will recognise one of my favourite quotes “Use your ears and mouth in the ratio God gave them to you!” And know how often I transpose that ratio – sorry!
But my ears pricked up when I heard Peter Lumley talk about ting – which I felt I just had to share. Apparently “ting” is the Chinese word for “to listen” so let me try and explain the four elements and how it is such a rich and challenging description. The symbol (shown) is in effect four elements: An ear, 10 eyes, a heart and a king.
Please click on any hyperlinks that take your fancy or just jump to the song at the end…
People, People, People
It was great to meet with Simon Biltcliffe but what really stands out is how fantastic his PA Lisa Bowen was with me – open, generous, encouraging, efficient and a real unexpected bonus to encounter when trying to arrange a meeting with a phenomenally busy guy. The Australian Paralympian Elizabeth Wright has been a joy to meet and an inspiration to work with. Thanks to Nadio for introducing me to David Broadhead who has really helped to crystalise my thinking about Leadership.
I’ve also met a great bunch of diverse people at numerous events who have been engaging, thought provoking and also very generous. I love Suits and Vinyl – what a great way to meet other business people.
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© The Tim Collins Consultancy 2024. Disclaimer: The Tim Collins Consultancy is the trading name of Wow Thank You Limited Company Number 8570216 Registered Office in England: 8 Oxford Villas Guiseley Leeds West Yorkshire LS20 9AD. The ideas and thoughts contained here have been harvested from many people and businesses over the years and the company acknowledges and thanks all the contributors. If you see something you are unhappy with please let us know.
