Think of this blog as a library of my most read and resonant reflections. If you’re looking for the ongoing thinking – please join me in The Thinking Room on Substack.
I hear a version of this more often than I’d like: “I don’t understand why they can’t just do it. I’ve explained it. It’s really
I worked with a lovely leader recently. She’d started in her company when it was small – and her role had grown into one of
In every restructure, there’s the visible story – and the quieter subplot. The one told in announcements and all-hands calls.And the one told in glances
I’ve noticed something in boardrooms, coaching sessions, and leadership circles I spend time in. Most leaders I work with aren’t struggling with strategy or skill
Here’s the truth bomb. Career plans are good. But agility is better. A client of mine worked in crisis communications, where the only predictable thing
Ever been told to stay calm, be rational, don’t take it personally? That’s the leadership script. But here’s the paradox:When leaders edit out their emotions,
Perseverance.We’re taught it’s a virtue.And mostly, it is. But it does depend on what you point yours at. Have you ever felt like persevering is
It’s not the kind of question leaders ask out loud, is it? But it’s often the one hanging in the air when you step into
But If You Pretend There Isn’t One – You’ll Definitely Lose. Leadership doesn’t shield you from politics. If anything, it puts you right in the
I remember what it’s like to get the letter. Mine came shortly after a brutal reorg.Actually it was more like a chain of restructures. The
It happens quietly. You grow good at what you do. And noticed for it. Opportunities appear.Responsibilities grow. And before you know it, you’re moving through
The title’s in your email signature. The congratulations have rolled in. The celebration’s done. And then it hits you: Leadership isn’t about being the best
Or You Can Do This – and Love It Again. Most professionals don’t walk away from their careers because they’re lazy. They don’t walk away
Chatting in the sun.Not rushing.Not producing.Not proving anything. Just… sitting still. It’s not always easy to choose, is it? Especially for high-achievers. And leaders-in-waiting. Stillness
And the kind others want to stay for You wouldn’t tolerate that tone from a teammate. So why would it be okay when it’s coming
Feeling watched and judged? Even when you’re on holiday? You are. Not by your friends or followers. But by your team. Because even when you’re
I’m taking my own advice this summer.(Not always easy – can even feel complicated when supporting others is your work.) I have no VA. No
Tom’s family flew out ahead. He drove… ostensibly for the extra luggage space. But the boot wasn’t full of beach gear. It held dual screens.A
They put up with what’s been plaguing them for longer than they’d ever recommend to someone else. It happens because they’re trying to replace what’s
Office Politics Is Literally Everywhere. I know this from my own career in global PR – and from the many conversations I have with seasoned
They’re not leaving. They’re quietly disengaging. And no one’s catching it in time. The cost of unhappy careerists? A staggering $8.9 trillion to the global
Not thoughtful silence. Not a reflective pause.But the kind that says: “I’m not in this.” That’s how the session began last week. And the irony?
Or unmotivated. Or short on ideas. Or not trying.That’s not what this is. You’re stuck because something’s out of sync.And the moves you’re making are
Quietly. Almost without a sound.Not in rebellion.Not in a rage. Because she didn’t recognise herself anymore. Let’s call her Claire. On paper?She was still successful.Still
It’s Friday. The weekend’s in sight.But your mind? Still carrying more than just work. Because if you’re anything like the leaders-in-waiting I coach, your mental
It sneaks up on you. One minute, you’re thriving…taking on more, making an impact, handling it all, energised even. The next, you’re bone tired –
You might think staying put is safer. That if you work hard enough, endure long enough, clarity will come. But what if the story you
Most people think confidence is the result of success. It’s not. If that were true, senior professionals wouldn’t struggle with self-doubt.But I promise you, they
You might think bold career moves start with clarity, confidence, and a perfect plan. They don’t. They start with something most people overlook: ➔ Discomfort
I met Matt in this coffee shop. We sat across from each other, cups in hand, but he barely touched his. ➔ “I’ve just been
That’s not a coincidence. Most people assume that when they feel stuck in work that’s wrong, it means they need a new job. But jumping
Starting a new role is a high-stakes moment.You’ve worked hard to get here. You want to make a great impression. You want to hit the
Emma was the definition of resilience. She’d spent 17 years in her industry, climbing from grad-trainee to a respected leadership role. She was the one
One day, you won’t be there for your children. But that’s not today.Today is alive with possibilities. A few years ago, I faced a health
The Only Way to Fail is to Stop Trying—And That’s a Choice. We often think failure happens in a single moment—a missed opportunity, a wrong
The Power of Curiosity in Career Growth Did you know curiosity boosts productivity, resilience, and energy? I didn’t—until I explored it as a core part
Leadership is often framed as a pursuit of more—more efficiency, more results, more refinement. But what if I told you that more isn’t always better?
Your Soul-Crushing Job Isn’t a Prison Sentence. Here’s an Escape Story “James” had what many would call “the dream job.” An enviable title, a great
The answer is rarely what you think it is. Twenty years ago, I was promoted to the board of a global PR firm. I thought
Feeling stuck? You’re not alone. Most people are excellent at working hard and waiting. I call it sitting in stuckness. When we feel stuck, we
You run on fumes—until you unravel. This is the reality “Claire”, a director, faced when she came to me for coaching. Claire avoided tough conversations,
One day you won’t be here. Your chair will be empty. True legacy doesn’t begin with ambition—it begins with a question. And it’s an uncomfortable
My 3 principles for navigating them instead. Because that “I’ll deal with it later” mindset isn’t harmless—it comes at a cost. You might like to
It can be scary being seen sometimes. This week, someone close to me shared a story that got to me. She received a gift from
The start of a new year is a universally-recognised time for reflection and resolutions. Many of us focus on the wins: the milestones, the moments
Have you ever achieved exactly what you wanted…only to realise it wasn’t what you needed? It’s a story I hear often. We strive for the
I used to be one of them. A PR director with a six-figure salary, a corner office, and campaigns that turned heads. From the outside,
Success without fulfillment is the ultimate paradox. In coaching seasoned professionals, I’ve uncovered a fascinating pattern:The moments of deepest career satisfaction rarely correlate with our
Have you ever thought about your career as another relationship? How much do you trust yours? This weekend, I caught up with some friends, and
Discover How To Transform It Today! I’ve heard this from many coaching clients over the years: despite stability and success, there’s an underlying monotony that
Have you heard the saying: people don’t quit jobs, they quit bosses? It can be truly miserable when you work for a leader who isn’t
The first alarm bell started ringing when I read a check-in form and learned my client was devastated about his promotion. Yes…devastated, about his promotion!
This last month, I’ve seen more and more of my clients experiencing career conflict. As I’m supporting them, I help them understand that these are
I keep meeting people in the middle. I’m not being literal – but liminal. The liminal phase is the middle stage of transformation. Think of
I get asked more often than is comfortable, “Is it too late for me to make a career change?” I say this – and fast:
Even when it feels necessary to look for a new career, actually, the best thing you can do is to stay away from setting career
My audience of seasoned professionals come to leadership coaching knowing they want help to navigate their barriers so they can stop trying to solve the same
How we fare during times of disruption is down to whether we resist the changes that are thrust on us or have the agility to
And Why Every Conversation Needs Bookends and a Power Tool While we’re no longer physically distancing from coworkers, running teams has become more complex since
Discovering your “why” can radically change the course of your career (and life) for the better. We all feel more alive and aligned when what
Trying to redesign career-life alone is how we become our own worst enemy.
Work hard and hope is not a strategy! If we don’t invest in mapping our career-life hopes, they’ll get trapped in the land of always hoping and never coming true. Read on to learn how to hope ‘right’.
I believe the stories we tell ourselves will either see us become who we really are. Or trap us so we can’t. Autobiographical stories live
It was a very slow August this year, wasn’t it? The whole month can feel like that lull between Christmas and New Year where nothing
I used to need a lot of approval in my career-building days. Which amplified when I became a director. And later when I was headhunted
Money can’t buy happiness. So the saying goes. Fulfilment comes from doing what feels meaningful. Not a healthy bank balance or the shiny new things
Be Relentlessly You Congratulations, you got the job! Now, here’s how to make yourself indispensable in it: be relentlessly you. You were chosen ahead of
Progress. Not Perfection. Progress: the undeniable advantage of loving yourself, just the right amount. Not so much it’s selfish. Not so little we put others’
I’ve got to tell you, this year, January is bugging me. I used to think of it as productive. There’s distance from the year that
We went to New York for some festive shopping… And took a trip down memory lane. We lived near New York for a few years
When I talk to people who have been laid off or fired, I say “Congratulations!” You get to shape a positive and evolving self. Starting now. There’s real energy in shifting your plans to align with what is important to you.
I used to think of new year’s resolutions as if they were life-targets. Then run them like the appraisal system that went with my career-targets.
Recently, I asked my audience what they were most concerned with looking towards the year ahead. These are smart people who are committed to their
We’re almost at that time of year to make resolutions for the year ahead. The majority of my career redesign community is focused on this.
The Dark Power of Perseverance No-one Is Talking About I think perseverance / resilience / grit / commitment are important values. Values that are critical
There’s something I see happening all the time to professionals who are stuck at some sort of career crossroads. It’s especially common with seasoned professionals
If you don’t have a leadership coach, I don’t think you’re optimising yourself. As a leadership coach myself, I’ll admit to being biased on this
WHY YOU’RE SO HARSH IN YOUR MOST IMPORTANT RELATIONSHIP Which part of that statement has you wondering the most? What is your most important relationship?
Writing To You From 40,000 Feet Up Leadership coaching took me from London to Washington DC this week. As I write, I’m on the plane
Here are 5 Ways to Fix That and Do Work That You Love. Conversation Stopper I find people are pretty fluent at talking to their
The Lightbulb Moment After I had my first child, I moved away from being a Director for one global public relations firm and responded to
Why Chasing Hits of Happiness is Bad for You Have you ever achieved a seemingly big goal, only to feel deflated afterwards? Did you wonder
A thinking space for leadership and life.
I write psychology-led reflections on work, identity and life – for thoughtful people who sense something needs to shift.
Written with care. Read with intention.
