Musings

A range of posts, newsletters and musings about life, work and what is generally on top.

Notice Your Strengths

One of the best leadership lessons I ever learned wasn’t about fixing weaknesses. It was about noticing strengths. Like many leaders, I used to spend performance conversations focused on the gaps. What needed improving. What wasn’t happening. What someone needed to work on. Those conversations were important. But they weren’t complete. Over time I noticed…
Friday Reflection

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about legacy. Not the kind we often associate with awards or career milestones. The quieter kind. The legacy we leave in people. Most leaders can remember someone who believed in them before they believed in themselves. Someone who gave them an opportunity they weren’t entirely sure they were ready…
What ‘different’ conversations do you want to be having?

One of the greatest compliments I receive from clients isn’t about me. It’s when they tell me: “Our leaders are having different conversations.” That’s when I know the work is making a difference. Because sustainable leadership development isn’t about people leaving a workshop feeling inspired. It’s about them returning to work and leading differently. That’s…
Who Could Grow by Leading This?

One question has changed the way I lead teams. “Who could grow by leading this?” Early in my career, I measured success by efficiency. If I knew how to do something well, it made sense to do it myself. It was quicker, it reduced risk and it ensured quality. At least, that’s what I told…
Friday Reflection

One of my favourite leadership questions is: “How would your team describe the way you lead through change?” Not the strategy or the outcome. The experience. Would they say: Leadership is tested when uncertainty, competing priorities and difficult conversations become the norm. I’ve discovered that the leaders who create the strongest commitment aren’t necessarily the…
From Control to Clarity: Why Clarity Is the Kindest Thing a Leader Can Give

Why this matters One of the biggest misconceptions I encounter when working with leaders is that empowerment begins with delegation. It doesn’t. Empowerment begins with clarity. Over the past few months, through the publication of Leading Through Others, I’ve spoken with leaders across government, education, local government and private organisations. Although their contexts differ, one…