Blog
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Is your ladder facing the right wall?
What does success mean to you? How do you define it? Is it… A role in a big companyYour job titleStatus at workLots of money💰A big house or perhaps two or three 🏡Expensive cars 🚗Luxury holidays ✈️ I’m exploring this with my client, Joe. He’s climbing the ladder for all these things. He wants them.……
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Strategies to reduce inefficiencies and drive innovation
PwC’s 27th Annual Global CEO Survey reveals that 40% of time spent on tasks like emails and meetings is inefficient, impacting money, morale, and time. In a perfect world, companies would run smoothly, but most face inefficiencies, or ‘sludge’, that hinder progress. Sometimes, sludge / friction prevents hasty decisions and reckless actions. In highly regulated……
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3 strategies to tackle team communication challenges
Effective communication is the backbone of successful teamwork and organisational culture. It’s the glue that holds everything together.Yet, it’s often where many teams face their biggest hurdles. When communication flaters, you might notice: ❌ Critical information getting lost between teams❌ Inconsistent or unclear communication from leadership❌ Slow or inadequate feedback loops This can lead to: ❌ Repeated mistakes that……
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Dual Leadership: Overcoming CEO self doubt
As an executive coach, a common theme that leaders bring to coaching is navigating the complex challenges they face in their roles and how to perform effectively while also driving innovation and transformation within their organisations. The Workforce 2024 report by Korn Ferry resonate with this theme, highlighting that a significant 71% of US CEOs,……
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From winning to leading: Lessons in teamwork and leadership
𝗜 𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘄𝗶𝗻. 𝗘𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗺𝘆 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗺𝘆 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘄𝗶𝗻 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝗹𝘀𝗲. I was part of a 4 man team in an overnight sports challenge. A few kilometres from the finish line, my 3 colleagues were exhausted and moving at a snail’s pace.Driven by the desire……
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From dialogue to action: Insights from the 68th Session of CSW
Received my certificate for participating in the 68th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women CSW68. I’ve had the privilege of engaging with global leaders, advocates, and activists, all united by a common goal: advancing gender equality. It has been an incredibly enriching experience that highlighted the harsh realities faced by women……
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Deloitte Women @ Work 2024: Key Insights on career progression and wellbeing
Deloitte Woman @Work 2024 Global outlook is out, shedding light on the challenges and workplace dynamics affecting women today. Sharing my key takeaways: Career Progression: · Many women aspire to senior leadership roles, but barriers such as company hashtag#culture and pay disparities deter a 1/4 of them. Key reasons include dissatisfaction with culture (23%), concerns about……
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Empowering women leaders: How coaching transformed Sarah’s journey
Curious about the impact of coaching on empowering women leaders? I partnered with Sarah on her leadership journey. Sharing some snippets of how coaching helped her to step into her leadership power 💼 Owning her journey: Sarah possessed a keen sense of ambition and drive. Together, we crafted a strategic roadmap and development plan for……
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Invest in mothers: A call to action from CSW68
A call to change the narrative: Invest in Mothers #CSW68 My brief takeaways from this rich and encouraging UN Women discussion with such an inspiring panel. Did you know that are 2.2 billion mothers in the world? The world’s biggest ‘profession’ that is unpaid …. mothers run the most demanding startup, serve as primary caregivers,……
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Courage as Capital: Lessons from the 68th CSW on gender equality
Attended my first Commission on the Status of Women, 68 session meeting yesterday where member states shared their statements on “Accelerating the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls by addressing poverty and strengthening institutions and financing with a gender perspective” Emotions were evoked listening to hear the harsh realities……
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Beyond IWD: Everyday actions for gender equality
#internationalwomensday Let’s remember that gender equality and women’s empowerment go beyond a single day of recognition. This commitment requires us to act every day, embedding inclusivity, support and equal opportunities for women across all aspects of life and work, not just on March 8th. Creating environments where women can thrive, lead, and share their invaluable……
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Navigating between the balcony and the dance floor
Last Saturday night, amidst the flashing lights and sounds of my 1980s fundraising disco, I found myself oscillating between the dance floor and our group table. It reminded me of a metaphor that I often share with my clients. ‘Moving between the balcony and the dance floor’ Coined by Ronald Heifetz, Marty Linsky and Alexander……
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Championing gender equality: My role as a delegate at CSW68
Delighted to have been selected as a delegate for UN Women UK at the 68th Commission on the Status of Women Looking forward to connecting and collaborating with global leaders, activists and change-makers from around the world to accelerate the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls. For those who may……
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The power of self care: Enhancing leadership through wellbeing
Have you ever experienced: × Constant tiredness despite enough sleep× Difficulty making decisions× Increased frustration or irritability× Tasks taking longer or feeling more challenging× Physical symptoms like headaches or muscle tension× Overwhelm and loss of enthusiasm This was me and my body telling me to pause, stop, take a break, rest, recharge…..And I did. I’m not one for spa breaks……
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5 tips for better decision making
How effective are you at making critical decisions? In my last post , I shared some insights from McKinsey’s findings on the importance of organisational health for sustained performance and success, where decision-making emerged as a crucial skill. We’ve all face critical moments where decisions carry significant weight, yet effectively navigating them can be challenging.……
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The secret to thriving in disruptions: Prioritising organisational health
Q: What sets apart the organisations that thrive despite disruptions from those that struggle to stay afloat? A: Organisational health Lots of food for thought from these findings so thought I would share some highlights from McKinsey’s extensive research spanning over 2 decades. Organisational health encompasses how effectively leaders steer the ship, make decisions, allocate……
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7 Ways EI can transform your leadership
How has EI played a role in your leadership journey? What practical strategies do you find most effective in enhancing EI in your team ? In leadership, technical skills and strategic acumen are crucial. However, there’s another dimension that often distinguishes the exceptional leaders from the rest: Emotional Intelligence (EI). EI is the ability to……
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Use these 5 tips to escape from the Comparison Trap
Ever caught yourself scrolling through LinkedIn and your feed is full of people smashing it, celebrating big wins, successes….leaving you feeling a bit envious and then deflated? That was me recently. Had to hit the pause button and do some self-coaching. Welcome to the Comparison Trap! Whether you are job hunting, seeking promotion, running a……
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2 techniques to use when limiting beliefs hold you back
🤔 Ever been in a situation in which you did not perform as well as you could, leaving your confidence at a low and a reluctance to put yourself in such situations again? I have! The beliefs that we form when such events take place are usually not based on any evidence. They are assumptions……
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7 tips to building a powerful inner circle
The people you surround yourself with can play a pivotal role in in shaping who you are and what you aspire to become. Jim Rohn, famously said, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time”. Your inner circle can have a significant influence on your thoughts, behaviour and outlook on……
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How to embrace vulnerability
Early in my career, asking for help would have meant showing vulnerability, that I would be judged and others would think that I am not competent or resilient enough. So, I didn’t. And like many people who struggle to ask for help, I ended up stressed, burnout out, resulting in poor sleep and impacting on……
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4 warning signs that your team member is disengaged
4 warning signs that your team member is disengaged and unhappy 🚨 Daily interactions with our teams can sometimes cause us to overlook those subtle signs that gradually accumulate. ❌ Behavioural: withdrawal or reduced participation❌ Performance: decrease in work quality and productivity❌ Enthusiasm: visible disinterest in team activities and meetings❌ Communication: less interaction and slower……
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How to build trust and resilience in leadership
In their seminal work, ‘The Trusted Advisor,‘ Harvard professors David H. Maister, Charles H. Green, and Robert M. Galford introduce the Trust Equation: Trust = Credibility + Reliability + Intimacy / Self-Orientation Trust is the bedrock of effective leadership. It fosters open communication, drives engagement, and enhances team performance. Without trust, collaboration falters, and innovation……
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13 leadership rules from Colin Powell
Where do you seek guidance and inspiration to help you navigate the complexities of your role? Colin Powell’s 13 Leadership Rules provide a powerful framework to inspire and guide leaders through challenges and opportunities: 𝐈𝐭 𝐚𝐢𝐧’𝐭 𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐚𝐝 𝐚𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤! 𝐈𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠. 🌅 Perspective is everything. A new day……
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3 practical tips for aligning multiple teams
Are you a leader of teams of teams? You will know firsthand that navigating the complexities of leading multiple teams toward common shared goals is no easy feat. This week, I’m diving into common challenges that I have observed when working with teams and which are echoed by senior leaders in individual coaching sessions. Alongside,……
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3 quick wins for team leaders
In my work with teams, I observe and offer real time honest feedback 𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐨𝐛𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐚 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐦𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 📱Distracted behaviour: checking phones, nodding without contributing, reluctance to share ideas 👥 Conversation dominated by two people, one of whom consistently interrupted 🛡️ Defensive body language and one direct confrontation 🤷 Vague discussion with no concrete outcomes……
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Overconfidence: Strategies for Influencing Leaders Who Refuse to Listen
🤔 Is your leader overconfident, refuses to listen to alternative viewpoints, surrounded by many ‘yes’ colleagues? This was one of the topics that came up in a coaching session. A coach can help you elevate your executive leadership presence, confidence and skills to navigate such challenges and dynamics. Here are some strategies that we explored……
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Mastering Leadership: From Everyday Challenges to Transformative Growth
As we step into July, I’d love to hear about your most significant achievement or small win from June. My little win that I am most proud of is being able to do half a handstand. Half because I still need to balance against a wall 🤸♀️ Did you know there are 2 types of……
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Building a highly engaged organisation AND a Strategic network
June has been quite gloomy here in Yorkshire so far. Despite the dreary skies and rain, there are always moments of joy and inspiration to be found. What has brought you joy since my last newsletter? For me, it’s been the opportunity to work face-to-face and embrace creative approaches in my practice. From using LEGO……
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11 Modern Leadership practices from successful leaders
This week, I have been out and about networking as I grow my business, Executive Leadership Coaching, reconnecting and cultivating new relationships. It reminded me of the power of networks in your advancing your career and is the topic of my next newsletter! As an executive coach who has worked with thousands of leaders, I’ve……