My (mostly) weekly thoughts on leadership, high performance, wellbeing and more.
Have a read through, or you can see a complete index here
Build trust before you need it
If you find yourself facing a high-stakes situation without trust in each other, it’s like entering a freeway before you’ve mastered the basics of driving. The results can be predictably chaotic. Investing time in building trust is not just about improving current dynamics but ensuring you have that safety net when you most need it.
3 ways leading your team is like teaching your teenager to drive
My daughter’s first driving lessons got me thinking about the parallels in leadership: trust, boundaries and stretching outside the comfort zone.
How your mood impacts your team
As a leader, you’re only human – you will have highs and lows just like everyone. But your impact is outsized – so be aware and take care to adjust accordingly – especially when you’re busy!
How to manage emotions through change
A mistake I often see leaders make is to try and snap people from the point of first hearing about a change to being totally on board with it, skipping over all the uncomfortable complexity in between. Here’s why that doesn’t work
Hit a plateau? Try this
Hitting a plateau when you’re trying to make a change can be frustrating. Here’s some ways through it…
Are you leading a team or a group?
Efficient managers are great for groups, but teams need more. Groups gather for tasks; teams unite to achieve a vision.
If we aren’t machines, then what are we? I asked ChatGPT…
It is an enduring mystery why we insist on crushing people in the name of productivity. Here are some alternative ideas…
Let’s unplug the machine metaphor once and for all
This humans as machines thing has got to go.
5 things to do when the going gets tough at work
Surprise! Work isn’t always easy. Here’s 5 things to do when the going gets tough – and a nifty downloadable infographic for you
Empathy as a leader - some tips
I sometimes hear leaders worry that empathetic leadership is some kind of soft and squishy nice-to-have thing that trades off performance. Are we really still having this conversation?
Why “sorry, not sorry” isn’t as annoying as it sounds
In both your work and personal life, “sorry, not sorry” is about recognising that your decisions may not always align with societal norms or expectations, but they are true to who you are and what you value.
The power of selective affirmation: when you say “yes”, what are you saying “no” to?
Saying "yes" to something is not merely an affirmation but a subtle, often overlooked declaration of priorities. Here’s why and how to take control of your own time and life…
Alone in the tundra? Here’s your compass
Figuring out your true north is a bit like trying to tune into a radio station while on a road trip. There's a bit of static, some stations come in clearer than others, and every so often, you hit that sweet spot where everything comes in loud and clear. Your compass questions are there to help cut through the static, asking you to consider not just the job title you want, but the impact and fulfillment you seek.
Instead of goals, try compass questions
As we return to our professional lives after the summer break, it’s a perfect moment for introspection and setting the tone for the year ahead. This year, I’m shifting from setting traditional goals or resolutions to embracing what I’m calling “compass questions”. Here’s my 4…
Dial down for summer
Are you tired? Me too. The festive season isn't just about celebration; it's an opportunity to dial down, reflect, and prepare for the year ahead. Here are five ways to make the most of your summer break.
Leadership: 10 ways you’re making it worse
You mean well, right? Even the most well-intentioned leaders can sometimes inadvertently make situations worse. Here are ten common leadership mistakes and how to avoid them.
And breathe out – the beauty of the pause
Pauses are powerful – here’s some thoughts on how to use them well.
3 Counterintuitive Retirement Tips for Professional Services Partners
Retiring from partnership in law or professional services firm means deep personal and professional identity shifts. You’ve been operating in one mode for a long time – possibly your whole career in the one place. How to prepare for a new kind of life?
Psst: 4 ways you're unwittingly encouraging a gossipy work environment
I love some tasty spilled tea as much as the next person, but gossip at work is a double-edged sword. As a leader, your actions and attitudes can inadvertently fuel a negative gossip culture. Here's how you might be doing it and what you can do instead.
5 tips for giving feedback to your boss
Need to give some potentially unwelcome feedback to your boss? Some will welcome the direct approach, but often a little tact is more effective.
Here are 5 tips for giving feedback to those above you (or really, anyone) …