We often focus on vision, direction, and performance, but here’s a question that every leader needs to ask:   Do people feel safe bringing you problems? No matter how strategic or experienced you are, your impact will be limited if people are too intimidated or unsure to tell you the truth. You can say you have an open door policy, but if people don’t feel psychologically safe walking through it… what’s the point? 5 Hidden signals that make leaders less approachable Always ru

We talk a lot about clarity in leadership the ability to see the big picture, rally the team, and make progress, but none of that happens without one often overlooked skill: Decisiveness. In the below episode of The Lonely Leader Podcast I explore why decisiveness isn’t just about speed it’s about courage, clarity, and momentum. In today’s complex world, indecision has become one of the most costly forms of inaction. It slows teams, stifles innovation, and chips away at trust

When was the last time someone gave you tough feedback and you thanked them? If that question makes you pause, you’re not alone. Most leaders are far more comfortable   giving   feedback than receiving it. And that’s understandable. Receiving feedback pricks our ego, challenges our self-image, and can feel exposing. If you want to lead at a high level and build a resilient, high performing team, you have to get good at receiving feedback. Giving feedback is only half the equa

The word feedback triggers all sorts of reactions. Some leaders brace for confrontation. Some team members hear it and expect criticism. Many organisations only practice it in a tokenistic, box ticking way, annual appraisals, half yearly reviews, “feedback sandwiches” that nobody enjoys. In my experience the best teams in the world thrive on feedback, not as an occasional event, but as a rhythm, a discipline, and a foundation of their culture. In professional sport, feedback

We’ve all done it. You’re in a 1:1 or a team meeting, nodding along as someone shares a problem, but your mind is already 10 steps ahead,...

Leadership can feel like a lonely road. Many of us have experienced this, I certainly have and it drove my decision to brand my business...

In leadership, the challenges rarely arrive with warning signs. Some days, it's market shifts. Others, it's staffing issues, spiralling...

Some leadership tests arrive quietly. Others roar in like a storm. Restructures, market pivots, cultural overhauls, mergers. These...

In today’s rapidly evolving world, leaders face countless challenges from meeting aggressive targets to navigating unforeseen crises....

The text from The Man in the Arena has always resonated with me. I have hung a copy of it in every office I have worked in. I have drawn...

I regularly challenge leaders with this question. I suggest that if every meeting room was equipped with a TV that displayed the...

In leadership, experience is often the greatest teacher. Over my years as a Chief Executive, I encountered challenges that tested my...

When we think of rest, our minds often jump straight to sleep. While sleep is critical, rest encompasses so much more. It’s about...

What will you leave behind as a leader? For many, the word legacy evokes thoughts of financial wealth, accolades, or achievements....

Optimism isn’t just a mindset it’s a leadership superpower. Leadership is challenging. Every leader encounters moments of doubt,...

In today’s rapidly changing world, leaders can’t afford to stay stuck in outdated strategies or rigid plans. If the last few years have...

Toxic leadership is one of the most damaging forces in any organisation. It undermines trust, kills motivation, and creates a culture of...

A client recently mentioned a LinkedIn post of mine that had resonated. I decided to revisit it and expand for this blog post. As...

Negativity can be contagious, and as a leader, you’ve likely faced people who drain energy and hinder progress. The key to overcoming...

My recent article on burnout prompted some fabulous feedback and discussion. In particular I thank those of you who shared your personal...