“I’m a good leader, I’ve just been busy lately”. You may have heard the saying “leaders bring the weather”. Human moods are contagious, and in the workplace, leaders set the emotional and cultural climate just as surely as the sun influences the day. Stepping into a meeting where the leader exudes calm and confidence despite the looming deadlines is quite different to encountering visible anxiety or frustration. Either way, this demeanour will be contagious, spreading a sense of control and positivity – or uncertainty and fear - throughout the room. Each decision, reaction, and interaction doe ..read more

It’s tempting to pretend change is easy. As an example, you might be adopting a new software system at work. Exciting!* As the complexity and reality of the transition sets in, though, frustration and resistance can follow. This is a natural reaction to change, not a setback. It’s important to recognise these feelings without letting them dominate or derail the process. Similarly, when a company undergoes restructuring, roles and responsibilities might shift, leading to uncertainty and anxiety among employees. Here too, it's vital not to ignore these difficult emotions. Acknowledging them can ..read more

In the first weeks of covid lockdowns I began learning French on DuoLingo. I still can’t speak much French beyond the absolute basics but I *do* have a 1,322 day streak! Lately, I noticed that while I’d been dutifully logging in each day, I was doing the bare minimum. The love was gone. My motivation was waning. Quel horreur! I had reached a plateau! So, I’ve mixed it up and, while keeping DuoLingo in play (can’t risk that streak) I’ve added in French lessons on a different app, Babbel. Babbel teaches in quite a different way which I am finding refreshing. My motivation is returning. The synap ..read more

Are you directing traffic? Efficient managers are great for groups, but teams need more. A group is a collection of individuals who come together, each pursuing their own goals, yet sharing a common space or theme. The leader directs traffic, setting tasks for each member of the group based on what needs to get done. The focus here tends to be on individual contributions being managed from the top down. In a team, everyone is working together towards a common goal. The leader acts more like a coach or a guide. Their job is to make sure the team works well together, ensuring that everyone's st ..read more

Let’s say it again. Treating people well makes you MORE money. OK? It is an enduring mystery why we insist on crushing people in the name of productivity, when in fact happy, healthy people are more productive (although here’s a clue from a Nobel prize-winner in economics). I asked ChatGPT to suggest some better metaphors. While I realise there’s some irony in asking a machine this question, its responses were pretty good. Here they are verbatim: 1. Garden Metaphor: Just like a garden, a workplace thrives on diversity, care, and the right conditions for growth. Employees are seen as unique pla ..read more

I love a metaphor, but this one’s really got to go. It’s 2024 and yet a stark and brutal metaphor has remained with us since the industrial revolution: the transformation of vibrant humans into mere cogs in a machine. This dehumanisation is not just a failure of empathy but a deeply ingrained cultural malaise. Reflecting on my interactions with countless clients and friends, not to mention my own experience, the evidence is overwhelming: Talented individuals stifled and exhausted by the unrealistic expectation to work tirelessly, as if they possess an off switch for their human needs and emo ..read more

Surprise! Work isn’t always easy. Here’s 5 things to do when the going gets tough – and a nifty downloadable infographic for you. Lean into your experience Tough situations are not new to you; recall how past challenges were navigated successfully with your knowledge and resilience. Embrace adaptability The ability to adapt is more valuable than ever. View change as an opportunity to grow and innovate. Your flexibility in the face of adversity is a testament to your leadership. Pause and think strategically If you’re in fight/flight/freeze or fawn mode it helps to pause, regroup and take a bro ..read more

I hear some leaders worry that empathetic leadership is some kind of soft and squishy nice-to-have thing that trades off performance. Are we really still having this conversation? In a high-stakes, high-pressure environment - like most of the places my clients work- empathetic leadership isn’t some soft, weak, “nice to have”. It’s crucial for fostering a supportive and productive team culture. Here’s a few dos and don’ts that hopefully show how a bit (or a lot? can we have a lot?) of empathy looks. As opposed to the supposedly “realistic”, hard-driving leadership style favoured by certain folk ..read more

Last week I wrote about the power of selective affirmation: of being mindful that when you say “yes” to something, you are simultaneously saying “no” to something else. The complementary skill here is feeling ok about saying “no” to things. People will often take on commitments out of a fear of being judged or disappointing someone. In a world where conformity and compliance is often rewarded, there will be times when you will want to say “yes” to a request (in addition to saying yes to the things you WANT to do!). If you’re employed to put widgets in boxes, and your boss asks you to put widge ..read more

When you say "yes" to a new project, a social engagement, or a volunteer opportunity, you're simultaneously crafting a silent "no" to an alternative. This could be time for reflection, leisure, or other projects that might align more closely with your core values or long-term objectives. The essence of this trade-off isn't just about managing your calendar; it's a profound exercise in defining your personal and professional ethos. Each "yes" would ideally be a mirror reflecting your values, aspirations, and the legacy you aim to build. It's about more than just filling slots in a schedule; it ..read more