There’s a time when most business leaders start sleeping better. Less second-guessing, less doubting a big decision, less endlessly running scenarios through their head. Doesn’t that sound like a sign of success? Well, I’m not so sure. Confidence and certainty aren’t the same thing Experienced business leaders rightly feel more confident. When you’ve made enough […]
The Sorry Tale of the Leader Who Stopped Doubting Read More »
I work with a lot of capable, intelligent people. And for one reason or another, so many of them end up in the same trap: wrestling with one decision for weeks. Then, worrying that they aren’t proactive enough with their business. And possibly getting themselves caught in a cycle of indecision followed by frustration with
You’re Not Indecisive. Or Are You? Read More »
Businesses change, fast. One day you’re operating from your kitchen table or back bedroom during evenings and weekends. The next you may be juggling many-digit revenue, a team of experts and demanding clients or customers, day-in day-out. When you’re in the thick of it, the transition can be blink-and-you-miss-it. And before you know it, the
Getting Clear on Who Does What Read More »
From the outside, many businesses look like they’ve cracked it. They have a steady flow of clients and revenue, a growing team, and a polished brand. But when I sit down with the people running them, it’s often a different picture that emerges. Beneath the surface, things aren’t always so perfect – there’s strain, overwork,
What’s Often Missing from Successful Businesses Read More »
There comes a point as a business leader when you realise something important: You shouldn’t be doing most of the work you’re currently doing. In the early days, or when you were more junior, it’s normal to do a bit of everything. To make the plans and follow them through. As you progress your to-do
From Doing to Leading: The Work You’ve Outgrown Read More »
When I was at university, I always thought there were two kinds of lecturers. The first kind would march in, slap their notes on the lectern, and reel off an uninterrupted monologue for sixty minutes. You could have swapped the entire lecture hall for a row of cardboard cut-outs and they wouldn’t have noticed. And
Why Plain English Is the Most Underrated Leadership Skill Read More »
A growing business feels fantastic. Landing more clients, building your team, opening into new markets – maybe even moving into new offices. But there’s a moment when that changes. Growth stops being an energising force, and starts feeling like a weight. It might be that you start to feel things slipping: your time, your clarity,
How to Scale Your Business Without Losing Control Read More »
In the last few weeks, I’ve taken on three new coaching clients with a striking similarity. They all came to me looking for ‘business coaching’, and yet, none of them own businesses. Instead, they’re senior leaders in their organisations, responsible for teams, performance, and big decisions. So, in truth, what I’m helping them with is
How to Choose Your Coach: Business or Executive? Read More »
One of the trickiest transitions you make in business is letting go of the things that made you successful. In the early days, you probably did everything yourself (maybe you still do?). The accounts. The website. The sales orders. The customer service. That’s on top of building the business plan, attracting trade, and developing your
Letting Go to Help Your Business Grow Read More »
If you’re running a business or in a senior leadership role, stress is part of the job. There’s ‘good’ stress: adrenaline that motivates, focuses, and energises, that feels like a high-performing muscle. Then there’s the other kind: that creeps in slowly, weighs you down, and saps your drive to continue. It’s not always easy to
The Slow Creep of Business Stress, and What to Do Read More »
