Blog
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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……
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Transform your Leadership by adopting a coaching approach
This week it’s International Coaching Week, so it is only fitting to pen an article that includes coaching! Modern day leadership has evolved beyond command and control to one that emphasises collaboration, empowerment and development. A coaching style of leadership has emerged as a powerful approach for driving team performance, fostering innovation and cultivating a……
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Silence speaks: Amplifying leadership presence and impact
I nodded, smiled encouraging and said nothing. It felt like ages. Awkward. So quiet. I could hear my heart beating. And then she spoke.…” These are the words of Idris (not his real name), my client, as he shares an update since our last coaching session. Like many people, he finds silence uncomfortable. His tendency……
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Breaking Barriers: Strategies for women leaders to silence self doubt and amplify confidence
You’re sitting at the head of the table, about to lead a crucial meeting. As you glance around the room, doubts creep in. ‘Can I handle this? Do I deserve to be here?’ Sounds familiar? I can recall numerous episodes in my career where I have felt that I would be ‘found out’, with that……
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Breaking Barriers: Strategies for Women Leaders to Rise Above
Embarking on the journey of leadership as a woman is akin to navigating a labyrinth of challenges and triumphs. Reflecting on my own experiences, I’ve encountered many obstacles that have tested my resolve. I’d like to share some insights and strategies that have helped me, as well as women I’ve coached, in the hope of……
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Are you a ‘Meera’? 7 ways to help you empower your team
Meera flops down in the chair. Her shoulders are drooped, she looks weary. When asked how she was feeling, her response was, “I’m tired, worn out, always seem to be busy ’. ‘Tell me more’, I probed. ‘I seem to spend all my time fixing other people’s problems, and then having to catch up on……
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6 common derailers that impact team performance and what to do about it
What’s derailing your team? What’s hindering collective performance and success? In my work and research with teams over the past 20 years, some of the common derailers that I have observed and supported leaders to address are: 1. 🤝Lack of clarity in purpose can lead to misalignment and confusion with personal agendas hindering the pursuit of……
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How do leaders innovate for success beyond the world of digital?
I like a good evidence-based book and delved into, Beyond Digital: How Great Leaders Transform Their Organizations and Shape the Future by Leinwand and Mani. Over 3 years they researched 12 companies who found new ways to drive success and achieve transformation that beyond incremental digital initiatives. 🔄If you lead / work in the Transformation……
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Effective leaders coach: 5 ways to have better conversations
Tony wants to have better conversations with his team. Having experienced coaching, he is keen to embrace a coaching approaching with his own team. ‘How will I know that I my conversations are more coach like ?’ he asks. Coaching conversations differ from normal conversations. The purpose of a coaching conversation is to stimulate thinking,……
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Embracing and Cultivating Curiosity
Curiosity is a crucial leadership skill, yet it is very much underrated. It is the catalyst for innovation, problem-solving, and growth. In a rapidly changing world, curious leaders ask questions, challenge the status quo, and explore new possibilities. Embracing curiosity offers a a multitude of benefits: 🚀 Promotes innovation and creativity: curiosity drives leaders to……
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The Art of Coaching Beyond Psychometrics
Yesterday I was asked if I routinely used psychometrics in my coaching. My response of ‘NO’, resulted in a raised eyebrow and has prompted this article where I share my thoughts on Psychometrics, Use of self as an instrument and incorporating Vertical Development concepts into coaching ….and would welcome yours…. Psychometrics In my early days,……
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5 practical ways to build trust and psychological safety in teams
‘Creating a safe environment to enable dialogue between team members’ was my first ever presentation at a conference. This was back in 2010 at the 4th EMCC conference where I shared my findings from my team coaching research. Since then team coaching has become more mainstream. In this article I share how you can foster……
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How to navigate workplace transitions
Last week I shared a post about my redundancy and its impact. As a coach who has supported hundreds of clients through transitions and having experienced this recently, I’m sharing a model for understanding the process and some tips to help you navigate the transition. If you or someone that you know has lost their……