There are few, if any, genuinely simple, rational, and predictable organisations in our world. Instead, we live and work in a world characterised by a dynamic mix of simple, complex and chaotic spaces. Leadership requires us to embrace all of these, and increasingly the complex space – at the intersections of paradox, where certainty and uncertainty coexist, agreement and conflict dance, unpredictability teases predictability - known as the edge of chaos. In this context, a leaders greatest challenge is to embrace the paradox - to foster environments that can hold the confusion and anxiety o ..read more

Leader Identity Shifts: Unlocking Team Success At the heart of personal growth and meaningful change is one common theme: Identity shifts. While all stories are different, it's the recognition that achieving our goals often demands more than just enhancing our skill sets—it requires an evolution of our own identity, as an 'inside job'. For leaders (and Lego characters!) this self-discovery not only fosters personal growth but also holds the key to unlocking team engagement and organisational success. This blog post shares three coaching client stories; leaders who were seeking to im ..read more

"I want to take my business to the next level". This is a common aspiration among the founders and owners of well-established small-to-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that I’ve had the pleasure of working with. Their desire is nuanced—wanting to step back from the day-to-day operations, work strategically on the business, and achieve a more balanced life. Yet, this pursuit often proves elusive despite numerous attempts. Stepping back can often bring doubts, fears and unique concerns that can unconsciously sabotage efforts to transform their businesses. These range from: Doubts over the team ..read more

Today I explore the art of coach-style leadership. This style involves asking more, having less answers and finding better challenges for your colleagues and your team… In the bustling world of leadership, where time is a precious commodity, embracing such a coaching mindset might seem like a daunting task. However, with the help of these guiding principles, you can begin to transform the way you lead, making your interactions more meaningful, your team more engaged, and your time freed-up on more productive topics. The Story of Transformation: My Journey with Leaders Fifteen years ago, Danie ..read more

Moving abroad as a family can be an exhilarating adventure, but with the changing environment and the complexity of family dynamics, the experience comes with a heightened set of challenges. These challenges can be difficult to explain, let alone resolve them! In this blog, I highlight the changing dynamics experienced by both the child and teenager in expat families, and I offer practical solutions to help your family thrive during this unfamiliar transition. Unique Pain Points for Kids Living Abroad Before diving into solutions, it’s helpful to better understand what’s behind the changing f ..read more

In previous blogs, I've discussed strategies for expats to deal with the unique challenges of moving abroad. However, these challenges become even more complex when families are involved. This blog delves into how such a significant move can impact your family and how to ease the transition, focusing on the perspective of the trailing spouse/partner. Most importantly, we’ll can explore what actions you can take to create a smoother transition and reduce the risk of an early departure. Unique Pain Points for the Expat Partner Before we explore solutions, it’s helpful to understand the challeng ..read more

Have you ever felt like your life should be on a certain path, but instead, you find yourself navigating through a fog of uncertainty? You're not alone. Many of us have experienced this at some point in our lives, especially during significant transitions like moving abroad or changing careers. Today, I want to share a powerful story of transformation, one that many expats and individuals seeking clarity can relate to. It's a story of doubts, fears, and ultimately, the discovery of purpose. Meet Juliette, an ambitious leader and mother of two, who embarked on the expat journey with high hope ..read more

When I packed up my life and moved abroad, excitement filled my heart for the adventures and career growth ahead. Little did I know, challenges awaited—ones that had shadowed me back home. I found myself lost, like life was unfolding without my control. I knew something deeper was at play, something beyond the culture shock. The truth was, I was lacking direction and purpose. It felt like an existential crisis, and I couldn't help but think, "I should be grateful for this privileged international position." The first time I picked up a pen to work on a clear personal and career plan, motivati ..read more

When I packed up my life and moved abroad, excitement filled my heart for the adventures and career growth ahead. Little did I know, challenges awaited—ones that had shadowed me back home. I found myself lost, like life was unfolding without my control. I knew something deeper was at play, something beyond the culture shock. The truth was, I was lacking direction and purpose. It felt like an existential crisis, and I couldn't help but think, "I should be grateful for this privileged international position." The first time I picked up a pen to work on a clear personal and career plan, motivati ..read more

While much has been said about overcoming hurdles, I'd like to shift focus to the brighter side of the expat journey - those moments that add colour, depth and joy to our lives. This blog delves into these positive moments, weaving personal and client stories to inspire you, at a time when you’re likely returning from a summer or winter break, depending on which hemisphere this finds you When we return to our normal lives, it's easy to skim over the positive experiences, to underestimate their value in the face of challenges. This post aims to spark awareness, to encourage you to embrace thes ..read more