Author: verawoodhead

Networking used to terrify me. Sweaty palms, forced smiles, making small talk with people I don’t know… For many leaders, networking can feel transactional, awkward or like just another task on an already full plate. But Networking isn’t about what you do – it’s about how you connect. I learned this when I realised that…

As I turned the pages of 𝐁𝐢𝐠 𝐏𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐢𝐧𝐲 𝐃𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐨𝐧 by James Norbury, tears welled up😢Not just a single drop, but a quiet cascade of emotions Some books don’t just tell a story. They touch something deep within you. The simple, yet profound narrative captures resilience, growth and connection through two characters navigating the…

For years, I wore a mask. Not a physical one. Something far more constricting. Growing up in South America was rich in experiences. Climbing coconut trees, schooling my Rhode Island Red hens, losing myself in Enid Blyton books, fuelled by the sun and endless imagination. When I was sent to live in England, my peers’…

Leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about finding the courage to ask the right questions. During a restructuring, when stakes were high and uncertainty loomed large, I received this feedback from an executive that resonated: “Thanks for all your support, kindness, patience and agitation, Vera. You have been pivotal in stretching my mindset,…

𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐏𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐫? Jim Rohn famously said, ‘You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.’ This insight isn’t just about personal growth. It is also a powerful career development strategy. Think of your professional network as your personal board of directors. Each person brings…

Ever felt like your voice doesn’t matter in the room? ‘The woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best’ Henry Van Dyke This quote challenges every senior leader who has ever held back in a crucial moment. Whether you are: · Leading from the boardroom · Driving strategic initiatives · Building…

How a Caricature Taught Me a Valuable Leadership Lesson I was walking past a caricature artist. On a whim, I stopped and decided to sit for a portrait. As I watched him sketch, I wondered how he would capture me: Would he exaggerate my smile? My wrinkles? My furrowed brow? My nose? What would he…

At 15, I stepped into the unknown. One flight. One suitcase. One life changing journey. My first time on a plane. Sent to live in England ( from South America) With an aunt I had never met. The culture shock was immediate and intense: 🏘️ Houses joined together like a giant puzzle 🥶 Weather that…

🤖How ready are you to Lead in the AI Era? As we move into 2025, AI is no longer just a buzzword. It is transforming leadership, decision making, innovation…. 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐟𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐬𝐞𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭. The shifting leadership landscape: ✅84.3% of orgs now have a Chief Data Officer (12% in 2012). ✅33.1% have…

Financial stress impacting leadership? Ever wondered why some bosses seem grumpier? New research from  reveals surprising reasons behind their behaviour: – Managers facing financial difficulties at home are more likely to exhibit controlling and sometimes abusive behaviours at work. – Nearly 40% of layoffs in 2024 affected senior managers, contributing to increased stress and reactive…