Hey Reader, One of the common complaints I hear about bosses is their lack of availability. So my tip for you this weekā¦. Donāt cancel your 1:1 meetings with your team. YOU hold the power in your role as boss (even if you donāt feel it!) If you ask your team member if itās okay to reschedule a 1:1, they will likely say yes because they donāt think they have a choice. I know you feel under pressure a lot of the time, but the 1:1ās are not the place to find space. If youāre a coachey-leader,...
about 2 months agoĀ ā¢Ā 1 min read
Hi Reader, Iām packing my bags for 2 weeks in Denmark. Perhaps you are packing bags too, or rumbling with the kids already on school holidays. So Iām going to keep it short ā and dropping in a leadership tip this week. Block out 30 minutes for reflection at the end of each day. A grumpy looking CSM taking reflection seriously! If like me, you spend a day in meetings and a whirlwind of decision making, you need time to digest the day. Reflection time is that integration of the dayās events,...
3 months agoĀ ā¢Ā 1 min read
How are you Reader, Really... Iād love to know. Me? Iām in a season of unexpected active rest. Iāve been reading a lot of novels, pottering around the garden and making friends with the Robin. And feeling a little frustrated. What is stinging a little is the thing that hasnāt worked out so well. Two things that consume a lot of my time ā the podcast, and social mediaā are not paying back the effort I am putting in. Whilst I donāt need fame and fortune, I realise I want something for the...
3 months agoĀ ā¢Ā 1 min read
Hey Reader, I spent last Tuesday cleaning out the garden shed in the company of a Robin who ate up all the insects that were evicted from the dark recesses. One of those really satisfying home jobs that I put off for years and then wonder why I delay it. But letās talk being authentic ā¦. a hot-trend in corporate culture speak. Easy if everyone in the office looks and sounds like you. What if you had to CHOOSE between being the REAL you and success in your corporate career? What if you had to...
3 months agoĀ ā¢Ā 1 min read
Hey there, First off, results are on from the poll last week about banning political discussions at work. Seems this community leans into not banning. Based on comments you sent, there is a recognition that we need to help people be able to navigate these waters - even it's it to say no. It's a yes! With a bit more time on my hands, Iāve started being more proactive in networking. Networking isnāt my favourite pastime. I often worry about wasting peopleās time or them not being interested....
4 months agoĀ ā¢Ā 1 min read
Reader In a few weeks, the United Kingdom will vote on who gets to be in charge for the next 4-5 years. (And several other countries are planning elections soon) That got me thinking about having political conversations at work. Should we ban discussions of politics at work? Do you think we should ban political discussions at work? Yes, definitely No I'm not sure Or should there be guidelines around these type of discussion? When I worked for an American consulting firm, there was an...
4 months agoĀ ā¢Ā 1 min read
Hey Reader, My dream as a teenager was to be on worldwide speaking tours giving speeches at podiums!! That was my idea of success. As a young adult, success was having enough money to have a lifestyle of holidays and clothes I thought I deserved. As a 40 yo first time entrepreneur, I JUST wanted to pay my mortgage. And another 10 years later, success is freedom. Freedom to work with who I want to work with. Freedom of how I spend my time. Our definitions of success change as we change. Iāve...
4 months agoĀ ā¢Ā 1 min read
Samson is a people pleaser. He always says 'yes' when he really wants to say 'no'. Heās tuned in to what everyone else needs but is out of touch with his own needs. His knack for reading the room stems from a childhood need to remain hyper-vigilant. But itās taking a toll. Samson is on the path to burnout. He overcommits, leading to 80-hour workweeks, and feels resentful towards colleagues who enjoy their weekends. Yet, he shies away from tough conversations about boundaries. Despite this,...
5 months agoĀ ā¢Ā 1 min read
Bossās consider themselves self-aware. But their 360 feedback results often reveal a different story. In over 100 detailed feedback assessments I've conducted, most bossās tell me they know themselves and donāt expect any surprises in the results. But there are ALWAYS gapsāwhether it's overstating strengths or not recognising weaknesses. Iām not shaming anyone here. How can you know your impact if you live in a feedback vacuum? (Time to close that feedback vacuum? Iāll share how we can work...
5 months agoĀ ā¢Ā 1 min read