My (mostly) weekly thoughts on leadership, high performance, wellbeing and more.
Have a read through, or you can see a complete index here
How to cope with anxiety after making a mistake at work
So… You’ve had an incident at work you feel embarrassed about. You may be feeling anxious about the consequences of this mistake, and worried that your performance or reputation will suffer as a result. Here are some tips on how to ease anxiety when you've made a mistake at work.
The transition from functional expert to executive leader
The transition from functional expert to executive leader is often thought of as a quantum leap from the security of subject matter knowledge to something completely new. Really, it’s just about learning new skills – just like you’ve always done. Here’s a framework to help make sense of the shifts from graduate to senior executive leader.
The Quick Wins Worksheet
Need some more bandwidth? Grab a (free) copy of my Quick Wins Worksheet. It steps you through a very easy, focused process for identifying one (or 2 or 3) simple, achievable changes to create that extra space.
Your coworker has become your boss – what now?
It can be tricky when your workmate gets promoted and is now your boss. Here’s some tips for making a graceful transition from peer to direct report.
Helpful and unhelpful thinking
Last week I wrote about ways to find more time for strategic thinking. But even when you’re not specifically out to think strategically, you’re thinking…
So how much of that thinking is productive?
How to Be a Strategic Leader When You're Constantly In Meetings
It’s not easy in an era of constant noise: meetings, messages and notifications, but if you can do it, you'll be better off. Here’s 4 tips for making time for strategic thinking.
Use the Pareto Principle to give yourself time
It makes sense to focus your attention on the most critical tasks at work and at home. Identifying what inputs have the most impact and prioritising those can save you spending fruitless time and energy on the rest. Here’s how…
Commercial acumen for lawyers
As lawyers, we hear about the importance of being “commercial” – but what does it mean?
If your legal team is known as the department for the prevention of sales, it’s probably not a good sign…
If it’s not important…
You’ve no doubt seen the important/urgent matrix. But, how does your to-do list look?
Not getting buy-in at work? Try this
As you become more senior, success at work becomes less about completing tasks and more about influencing other people.
That can feel difficult for people such as lawyers whose technical expertise have propelled them thus far. So what to do?
How to Keep Your Values Strong Amid Uncertainty
A strong connection to your values helps you navigate uncertainty, but how do you keep your values strong when it feels like everything is up for grabs? Here’s some ideas for how to keep clear on what matters.
7 Advantages of Taking Breaks
Many people believe – consciously or unconsciously – that a break is a reward for hard work – or worse, that needing a break is a sign of weakness. But your effectiveness and efficiency will improve if you take regular breaks. Here’s 7 benefits you can expect to enjoy when you build more breaks into your day.
Feeling overwhelmed? It could be because things are overwhelming
If you feel overwhelmed, consider that that might be because things are overwhelming. Don’t make yourself wrong for feeling how you do. We are finite humans and our capacities can be overwhelmed. It’s ok. But what does help?
The right and wrong reasons to get people back to the office
On Saturday night I went to my first proper party since the Before Times. It was fabulous. There were so many people there I hadn’t seen in ages – some for nearly 30 years (how did I get to be so old?) - and some delightful new people to meet as well. It got me thinking about the right and wrong reasons to get people back in the office. Is it for community? Or is it for surveillance and control?
Need more time? Here’s 10 time-wasters to drop from your day
Most of us waste a lot more time each week than we think. Here’s 10 top time-wasters for you to cut from your day.
The Influence Continuum
For many ethical and compassionate leaders I’ve worked with, seeking to increase their influence can feel difficult, because on some level they think of it as a choice between good and bad
I need your help fixing my team
From time to time I will have a meeting with a potential client about working with them or their team.
Want to know a big red flag?
Who else wants to try a social media detox?
Maybe you’re one of many people trying to change your relationship with Facebook and other online platforms. Start with these suggestions that will help you to clarify your priorities and reclaim your time.
Embracing Imposter Syndrome in Your New Leadership Role
You might know of the children's game "follow the leader". The front child marches confidently where they will, and the followers tread purposefully behind them. That’s easy, because the stakes are low. As a grown up leader who isn't sure of your footing in a world where your decisions have real consequences, how can you possibly presume to take on the mantle of leader, set a direction and expect others to follow?