You Can't Make an Omelette Without Breaking a Few Eggs

"You Can't Make an Omelette Without Breaking a Few Eggs". The view from 'Palmy' - politics, poultry and popular culture 2018 - 2025. Opinionist, Steve Stannard's view on how to make our world better. Cycling doyen, sports scientist and lately barista, Steve Stannard succumbed to cancer on Saturday, 30th August 2025, aged 58. This book is a tribute to Steve Stannard and his contribution to his community, and indeed the wider society. Where today's leadership is often antagonistic and polarizing, you'll find Steve's articles reflect his often 'way out', but always practical, advice on how to better live our lives in a collaborative rather than confrontational manner. The title, "You Can't Make an Omelette Without Breaking a Few Eggs", comes from a very old saying meaning to "put an alternative view, or challenge current thinking or practices", and so "breaking the egg" to make things better (a new dish or meal) is the meaning behind the metaphor. Steve Stannard's writing is always about expressing a point of view that may be contrary to current accepted practices (e.g.., business - politics - change management - the environment - education - health - productivity - bureaucracy - sport - restructuring, and more, in a practical and often humorous way so that others who hold an opposing view may stop and look at things a little differently - and that's one of the rare qualities about his writing. It's so different to what's happening in world politics today (even at a local level), where differences (and questions) escalate into full blown arguments rather than reasoned debate around the issues, not personal attacks. And of course, Steve loved his chooks, which were referred to in a number of his articles, such as "Sneaking the sunrise past the rooster" - where he discusses successful people and business management using the analogy of the "boss" (the chook owner), "Middle Management" ("Foghorn" the rooster), and the "The production Workers" (the hens) and whether the stick, carrot, or perhaps restructure are the best ways of improving productivity.

About the Author :
Cycling doyen, sports scientist and lately barista, Steve Stannard succumbed to cancer on Saturday, 30th August 2025, aged 58. "You Can't Make an Omelette Without Breaking a Few Eggs" is a tribute to Steve and his contribution to his community, and indeed the wider society. Where today's leadership is often antagonistic and polarising, you'll find Steve's writing reflects his often 'way out', but always practical advice on how to better live our lives in a collaborative rather than confrontational manner. Bob Selden is an author, editor, coach and business consultant who has assisted many well-known organisations and their leaders on four continents design and implement impactful management and leadership development processes. As a Coach at one of the world's leading business schools, the International Institute for Management Development, Lausanne, Switzerland, Bob Selden's also helped managers develop their full leadership potential. You may see testimonials from sone of these managers and contact Bob for more information and advice via his website www.bobselden.com. In addition to being a best-selling author, Bob now assists other aspiring authors as a developmental editor to publish their dream books.

Review :
Matthew Dallas, Steve's Editor at The Post for whom he wrote many articles, said of Steve, "Steve Stannard was one of the Manawatū regions most energetic advocates, a personality fuelled by perseverance and passion" Grant Smith, Mayor, Palmerston North City Council, "Having known Steve for over two decades, he contributed hugely to the Palmerston North community. He cared deeply about people and process, and I can remember how losing the National Velodrome project meant to him, when he felt gutted and cheated by a dodgy process. He was an amazing man who could write the most interesting opinion pieces, often challenging the status quo and in many cases with a good dose of humour, and I miss those columns already".