Not this kind of axe.

“When you go to chop down a tree, you need to spend the first 45 minutes sharpening your axe.”

So said a colleague of mine, now sadly deceased. His name was John and he was a wise and wiley Managing Director, who knew the value of planning and who always took time to get organised. He was also full of useful little quotes and I was reminded of this one today, whilst sharing a pot of tea with a mutual friend.

The next time a colleague of yours dons their superhero cape and prepares to leap into action, pause them gently and ask: “How sharp is your axe?”