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Are you better off?

When asked whether the world would be better or worse off if I became more influential and powerful, my answer is that it would be better off. At the same time, I feel uncomfortable with the idea of seeking greater influence, as it pushes me outside my comfort zone. This raises a deeper question about priorities: whether personal comfort should take precedence, or whether making the world a better place sometimes requires discomfort.

““You don’t fix the mirror by polishing the reflection, you fix the mirror by changing what is standing in front of it.””
— Alan Watts

Vital point

We often use price as a proxy for value. We are willing to pay more for things we consider valuable, and, in turn, we tend to value things more highly when they come at a cost. From an economic perspective, consumer surplus refers to the gap between what someone would be willing to pay for something and what they actually pay. While this surplus is typically framed as a benefit, it does not necessarily generate greater appreciation or pleasure. As prices fall, our sense of value and emotional engagement often diminishes.

I think this creates a paradox within capitalism. Significant effort is invested in reducing costs and increasing efficiency, yet these gains do not reliably translate into greater human happiness. In many cases, cheaper and more abundant goods lead to reduced appreciation rather than deeper satisfaction. What do you think?

““It is more interesting, more complicated, more intellectually demanding and more morally demanding to love somebody, to take care of somebody, to make one other person feel good.””
— Toni Morrison

Let it go

Leaders can become so focused on proving how smart or right they are that they lose sight of their purpose: to make a meaningful difference. Before speaking, pause and ask yourself: “Am I willing, at this moment, to invest the energy required to create a positive impact on this issue?”
I think that If the answer is yes, speak with intention. If the answer is no, choose to let it go.

““Never confuse education with intelligence. Intelligence isn’t ability to remember and repeat, like they teach in school. Intelligence is ability to learn from experience, solve problems, and use our knowledge to adapt to new situations.””
— Richard Feynman

Let's work together

Moral revolutions are rarely the work of individuals or echo chambers; they are coalitional affairs. To achieve meaningful change, we must be willing to collaborate with those who do not mirror our views entirely.

The late American President, Ronald Reagan once famously said that if someone agrees with you 80% of the time, they are an 80% ally, not a 20% traitor. Unfortunately, modern political discourse has traded this pragmatism for moral purity. We have entered an era where any deviation from a 100% shared ideology is viewed as a disqualifying betrayal.

This quest for purity has several damaging effects as we are splintering into increasingly smaller, more insular moral circles. And by shrinking our circles, we lose the numbers necessary to exert influence. I sometimes think that we forget that the core of politics is the art of building coalitions to gain the power required to actually change the world. To move forward, we must stop treating "difference" as an enemy and start seeing it as the fundamental building block of a winning movement.

““We don’t change anything. All we can do is invest people with the morale to change it for themselves.””
— James Baldwin

Reputation matters

A brand inspires trust because when you have a strong reputation, you have something to lose by cutting corners or selling a poor product. There is always some uncertainty in any transaction, but buying from someone with a good reputation reduces that risk. There is a feedback loop at play too. If a brand lets people down, word spreads, trust erodes, and that reputation can be damaged through bad experiences or negative talk.

““Understanding that behavioural economics is a rebranding of psychology which allows you to have conversations about psychology to people who wouldn’t be happy talking about psychology.””
— Rory Sutherland

Overcoming setbacks

I think it’s a good idea to create an evidence journal. Write down the moments when you faced something difficult and came out on the other side. The human brain has a natural negativity bias. It tends to remember situations where things did not go well more vividly than moments of success, and under stress, this bias is amplified. The stress response narrows focus, increases self-doubt, and can trigger thoughts of inadequacy, overwhelm, or performance choking.

An evidence journal helps counter this pattern by reminding the brain of facts rather than feelings. It creates a tangible record of resilience, competence, and progress. And this wiring is human, not gendered. Our brains respond to stress in similar ways, regardless of gender differences.

““The best way to control the cattle is to give them a big pasture.””
— Shunryu Suzuki

Providing shelter

Even when an innovative approach is proposed, procurement processes often prevent its adoption. Procurement teams tend to require like-for-like comparisons based primarily on price, which limits their ability to evaluate solutions beyond narrow cost metrics and reduces the role of innovation in decision-making.

““True leadership demands complete subjugation of self, honesty and integrity, uprightness of character, courage and fearlessness, and above all a consuming love for one’s people.””
— Robert Sobukwe

Everything will be better when

“My schedule is intense right now. Work and family commitments require constant attention, and the pressure from always-on technology adds another layer to it. I do not often express this, but the pace can feel overwhelming. Even so, I am addressing several major challenges, and I expect the most demanding part of this period to ease within three to four months. When that happens, I plan to take two to three weeks to reset. I will focus on my family, regain structure, and begin a healthier routine. I believe that this shift will put me on a more sustainable path.”

If this feels familiar, contact with me via this link to schedule a complimentary 30-minute discovery call.

““Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.” ”
— Viktor Frankl

Active questions

6 active questions to ask yourself every day.

  1. Did I do my best to be happy?

  2. Did I do my best to find meaning?

  3. Did I do my best to be fully engaged?

  4. Did I do my best to build positive relationships?

  5. Did I do my best to set clear goals?

  6. Did I do my best to make progress toward goal achievement?

““Our mission in life is to make a positive difference, not to prove how smart we are and not to prove how right we are.” ”
— Peter Drucker

Unnecessarily delaying

Procrastination is often a response to fear, and acknowledging fear can be challenging. Yet fear plays a role in almost every meaningful endeavour. I believe that no one creates work of real value without experiencing both self-doubt and self-belief. Self-doubt keeps us alert, reflective, and committed to improving. Self-belief gives us the courage to act, persist, and take risks. Progress requires the presence of both.

““Whoever you are, no matter how lonely, the world offers itself to your imagination. When you fall into the funk of competition, think of literature, think of the early bloomers and the late bloomers. Think of the very many experimental novels that do not follow the traditional form. Your story does not have to have a traditional arc.””
— Mary Oliver

I think Mary Oliver’s beautifully expressed words remind us that growth does not follow a single path, and neither does creativity. Your work, your pace, and your process are allowed to be your own.

The power of support

c/o @GregorPurdy

Many people still distrust counsellors, therapists, or other support professionals, and as a result, become too numb to resist the weight of their struggles. However, working with a coach can be transformative. After working with me for three, six, or twelve months, my clients develop a deep understanding of themselves, learn to trust their instincts, and to feel secure in their own decisions.

I think when guiding leaders, the aim is always to empower them to think independently and act on their own behalf, ultimately making the coach’s role unnecessary. Through this process, clients come to recognise and harness the remarkable strength that lies within them.

““I have never learned anything from talking. I only learn things by asking questions.””
— Lou Holtz

Nature knows best

Do you tie your sense of identity to your achievements?

Many high performers do, often without realising it. Promotions, recognition, and external success can become the markers we use to measure our worth. Research shows that when we prioritise the external over the internal, our wellbeing suffers. I think the drive for achievement can easily blur into anxiety, self-doubt, and fear of falling short.

That inner voice , the one that questions your ability or tells you to hold back, often speaks loudest when you are stretching yourself. Yet, those same moments can be opportunities to grow. Learning to recognise and work with that voice, rather than against it, is one of the most powerful shifts you can make as a leader.

With the right tools, it’s possible to reframe stress from something threatening to something that signals growth, a challenge you can rise to and learn from. If this feels familiar, you are welcome to book a complimentary 30-minute discovery call to explore how coaching can help you strengthen your mindset and reclaim a healthier relationship with achievement. Book me…

““Never complain. Never explain.””
— Benjamin Disraeli

A proverb with meaning

““Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.””
— Lao Tzu

The underpinning philosophy is still enlightening to this day, even though this proverb is from thousands of years ago. In today’s context, truly empowering communities means working with local partners at the forefront and supporting their needs. Often, it requires you to resist the urge to present yourself as the agent of change, taking a step back and sitting in the background. I think real impact comes from enabling others to lead.

Develop your skills

Investing in coaching is one of the best investments you can make if you are a leader, manager, or aspire to become one. How much time do you spend coaching your direct reports?

Here are 10 essential coaching skills to develop:
1. Empathy – Put yourself in their shoes.
2. Self-management – The ability to regulate your own emotions and behaviour.
3. Building trust – The foundation of all relationships.
4. Observational skills – Accurately reading situations and people.
5. Planning – Increasing the likelihood of reaching goals.
6. Active listening – A core skill for effective coaching.
7. Communication skills – Explaining clearly and holding others accountable.
8. Encouragement and praise – Reinforcing effort and growth.
9. Honest, useful feedback – Delivered constructively to drive improvement.
10. Analytical and problem-solving skills – Supporting others to find solutions.

Change your perspective

Have you ever felt stuck in a rut, unable to reach your goals despite your best intentions?
It happens to the best of us. The good news is that change is always within reach, but it rarely comes from one big breakthrough moment. Instead, it’s built day by day, through the small, consistent actions that shape who we become.

Your habits are the secret ingredient, they are the bridge between your intentions and your results. When your daily routines align with your vision, progress becomes inevitable. And when they don’t, even the most inspiring goals can feel out of reach.

I think the shift starts with awareness, seeing which habits serve you and which hold you back, and then committing to steady, intentional change. Over time, those changes compound, creating momentum that makes achieving your goals not only possible, but sustainable.

““Success is a product of daily habits, not once in a lifetime transformations.””
— James Clear

The referral business

Why would a colleague recommend your coaching business to an HR leader?
I think they will only do so if it enhances their own credibility and expands their influence in shaping people and culture outcomes. HR professionals are often seen as trusted advisors within an organisation. When they introduce a coach to a leader or team, it’s not just a referral, it’s a reflection of their ability to identify meaningful, high-impact development solutions.

To earn that level of trust, you need to build a coaching practice that delivers real transformation. One that helps leaders grow, creates space for honest reflection, and aligns with business outcomes. HR leaders are far more likely to recommend a coach who addresses the challenges they care about most: inclusive leadership, resilience, emotional intelligence, and sustainable performance. When your coaching creates value at this level, HR leaders won’t just refer you, they will advocate for you because your success reinforces theirs.

““The more you practice your work, the better it will be. Practice opens channels of possibility in the brain.””
— Rick Rubin
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More speed less haste

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Most of what people are rushing to do isn’t actually urgent. And in today’s fast-moving environment, urgency can feel like the default setting. As a leader, your power lies not in keeping up with everything, but in your ability to slow down and think clearly when everything around you is speeding up. This is where emotional intelligence (EQ) becomes critical.

““You should meditate every day and if you don’t have time, you should meditate more.” ”
— Seth Godin

What do you think?

Intellectual curiosity is the foundation of wise and adaptive leadership. It's about learning to search for grounded truth, not just what's comfortable or familiar. The best leaders remain open to changing their minds when facts or evidence challenge their prior beliefs. They understand that growth comes not from being right, but from being willing to learn. I think the strongest leaders are lifelong students as well as being lifelong teachers.

““Trust is the glue of life. It’s the most essential ingredient in effective communication. It’s the foundational principle that holds all relationships.” - ”
— Stephen Covey