Creating Rituals, Establishing Connections, Building Teams.

Creating Rituals, Establishing Connections, Building Teams.

by | Feb 8, 2026 |

Have you ever noticed how the smallest routines can quietly hold a team together? A shared coffee break, a standing Friday chat, even a run to the local chippy. These simple moments aren’t just habits, they’re rituals that create rhythm, connection, and belonging. This week, “Chippy Tuesday” got me thinking about the power of these everyday behaviours, how they shape culture, build trust, and keep us feeling part of something bigger, even when we’re working apart. Grab a coffee (or a bag of chips!) and join me in exploring how rituals, big and small, can help us build stronger, more human teams.

When There’s No Strategy, Any Path Looks Like Progress

When There’s No Strategy, Any Path Looks Like Progress

by | Feb 2, 2026 |

I naively thought all organisations had strategies. Peter Drucker was talking about objectives and purpose back in 1954 so I thought that by now, all organisations would have some sort of document in place, bringing together objectives, purpose, vision, mission and values. But it turns out, that’s not the case. Sitting at the back of my mind for a few weeks has been the question, ‘what happens when organisations don’t have strategies?’. I was spurred on by a chance encounter with Randy Silver to blog it all out. So, read on for this week’s musings – all about strategy, or the lack of it.

Rising Like a Phoenix: A Leadership Lesson in Looking Up and Out

Rising Like a Phoenix: A Leadership Lesson in Looking Up and Out

by | Jan 28, 2026 |

I’ve been thinking a lot about perspective lately, especially how important it is to look up and out, and beyond our routines and familiar spaces. This week, I’m sharing some lessons from my own experiences and sharing why looking up and out might be the best advice we can give ourselves to ensure we stay current and ensure our organisations stay relevant in a changing world.

The Leadership Shift: From Command & Control to Care & Collaboration

The Leadership Shift: From Command & Control to Care & Collaboration

by | Jan 14, 2026 |

It’s not like it was 25 years ago. When I started in the world of work, talking to people in senior positions wasn’t really the done thing. You did as you were told and tried your best not to find yourself at the sharp end of your boss’s pointing finger. I’m glad to say things are different now and employees have different expectations of their organisations. They hold their leaders to account or they speak up and move on. Join me in sharing my reflections on the last 20 years and observations on what Linda said.

Wiring the Leadership Brain for 2026

Wiring the Leadership Brain for 2026

by | Jan 6, 2026 |

Welcome to a new look Knowing Self-Aware Leadership! I’ve decided to have a rebrand and shift from the yellow, black and pink to navy and gold. A new year, a new haircut and a new start seemed to warrant some new colours! I hope you like it.

Join me in the first blog of 2026 as I share my thoughts on starting the year on a positive note with a mindset poised for success.

Beaujolais in the Boardroom: The Clear Line Between Work and Wine.

Beaujolais in the Boardroom: The Clear Line Between Work and Wine.

by | Jan 5, 2026 |

I’ve been thinking about alcohol and its relationship with the world of work recently. It’s been on my mind and in true ‘honestly, the internet isn’t listening’ style, an article by the brilliant Dr Gerrit Pelzer flashed up on my LinkedIn feed about his 1,000 day experiment to give up alcohol. Join me in sharing my experiences with the demon drink in work and why my line between work and wine is as unforgiving as the ‘walk and turn test’.

Watchwords for 2026

Watchwords for 2026

by | Jan 1, 2026 |

For the last few years I’ve been setting out watchwords for the coming year, as both premonitions and guiding principles. As we head into the second quarter of the century, I suspect change will be underpinned and overarched by ultra-digitalism. And as we move further into the digital age, we’ll need to balance it with hyper-humanism to ensure man and machine can co-exist in harmony! Check out my watchwords for 2026.

On Hot Coals & Shifting Sands: Reflecting on Leadership in 2025

On Hot Coals & Shifting Sands: Reflecting on Leadership in 2025

by | Dec 31, 2025 |

At the end of 2024, I was asked what i thought the main trends shaping leadership were and now, as 2025 comes to a close, I want to reflect on those top trends to see how things have panned out, where we are and where I think we’ll be going in 2026. Join me in reflecting on 2025, a year of rapid change and throwing the baby out with the bath water and scanning the horizon to see what’s coming in 2026.

Road Blocks and Fairy Goth Mothers: The Hidden Costs of Toxic Workplaces

Road Blocks and Fairy Goth Mothers: The Hidden Costs of Toxic Workplaces

by | Dec 2, 2025 |

This week, a conversation reminded me of an old story I’ve wanted to to share with you – my lived experience of micromanagement, bullying, and working with unpleasant colleagues. It’s a theme that has replayed through my career, sometimes painfully, but always with lessons that eventually made me a stronger, more self-aware leader.

From Boardroom to Blog: The Many Writing Styles of Leadership

From Boardroom to Blog: The Many Writing Styles of Leadership

by | Nov 2, 2025 |

This week, through a mutual LinkedIn friend, I was connected with someone who wanted to write a book. It reminded me of this blog that’s been sitting in my ‘want to write’ pile for far too long. So, here are some thoughts on different leadership writing styles and how you can find your own voice to suit the right occasion.