My (mostly) weekly thoughts on leadership, high performance, wellbeing and more.

Have a read through, or you can see a complete index here

Madeleine Shaw Madeleine Shaw

Flexible working means trusting your team

Here’s a hard question for you as a leader:

Do you trust your team to work just as well (if not better) when you’re not there to oversee it all?

Here’s some questions to help you gauge your readiness to lead in a world of flexible working

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Madeleine Shaw Madeleine Shaw

Is it nerves or imposter syndrome?

We all feel nervous at times—whether it's a big presentation, a new role, or preparing for a tricky conversation. But how do you tell the difference between normal nerves and imposter syndrome?

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Madeleine Shaw Madeleine Shaw

Tired? 3 sleep tips

So often we stay up late to get work done but that’s like bailing water out of a sinking boat without fixing the leak: it might feel like you’re getting lots done and for a while, you do keep the boat afloat. Until you don’t. Here’s the science on sleep and performance.

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Madeleine Shaw Madeleine Shaw

How your thoughts shape your leadership

You’ve probably noticed how a single thought can shift your entire mood, either lifting you up or dragging you down. It’s not just a coincidence—there’s solid science behind this. Find out more…

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Madeleine Shaw Madeleine Shaw

To change, stay the same

Change usually isn’t about chucking out the old and replacing it with the new. It’s about adapting and expanding from a strong base. Here’s how…

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Madeleine Shaw Madeleine Shaw

3 easy steps to change everything

Burnt out from trying to change? Ready for an “easy” 3-step plan to use instead? Here's the catch—it's not really easy, and it's not really 3 steps.

But it is a game-changer if you're serious about evolving without losing yourself in the process.

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Madeleine Shaw Madeleine Shaw

How to solve problems using your forgotten skills

Clients often come to coaching sessions stumped on how to tackle a particular issue. They will have been giving it a lot of thought but not making any progress. Tapping into underestimated skills they've honed to perfection in one domain can solve problems in another. Here’s how…

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Madeleine Shaw Madeleine Shaw

What to do when your predecessor was a nightmare

Last week I shared some tips for making a role your own when your predecessor was a superstar. Surely stepping in and taking over from a nightmare leader would be a piece of cake. Not so fast! Here are three things to look out for and three tips to help you succeed…

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Madeleine Shaw Madeleine Shaw

4 easy ways to add mindfulness to your busy day

Incorporating mindfulness into your day doesn't require oodles of spare hours you don’t have. Here’s 4 easy ways to reduce your stress and build calm into your day that take little or no extra time.

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Madeleine Shaw Madeleine Shaw

You’ve earned your seat in the C-suite: use it!

I see many of my clients – particularly those from law and finance backgrounds – holding themselves back from contributing outside their areas of expertise. While this is understandable, it is a problem. Here’s why.

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Madeleine Shaw Madeleine Shaw

When positivity is negative

Optimism and positivity are often touted as indispensable leadership qualities. We’re told to keep our chins up, see the glass as half full, and always look on the bright side. However, too much positivity can actually be a negative. Here’s why…

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Madeleine Shaw Madeleine Shaw

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.

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Madeleine Shaw Madeleine Shaw

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!

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