Blog

This week, in the middle of a coaching conversation, something quite simple and quietly moving happened. A client paused, looked up, and said something along the lines of: “What you do… this is what leaders actually need right now.” I’ve been sitting with it ever since. Because what struck me wasn’t the compliment. It was the context. This client has been leading inside a system marked by prolonged pressure, unresolved conflict, and repeated change. The kind of environment wh

At the start of each year, I begin as I hope to end, with lots of energy, a vision and purpose, hope and also openness to what will come. As the year begins, in my coaching sessions many leaders are already being asked for certainty, clarity, and confidence. Plans to finalise.Decisions to land.Energy to muster. Many of you will have rituals that help you to slow down, come back to yourself, and notice what this new year is quietly asking of you. And yet, even with the best i

Through my training and my life experience, I have studied grief for many years. I became a Grief Astronomer ( a nod to Andrea Gibson, thank you for your gift). And by grief, I do not only mean the loss of loved ones. I mean all forms of transition and loss. Loss of status, role, company, identity. Changes in teams, values, direction, or life circumstances. Like many of you reading this, my strategy was to cope with grief by focusing intensely on a passion, a role, or a job.

A few days ago, I found myself on the windswept promenade at Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, staring out at that rather striking sculpture of a couple looking towards the horizon. If you know it, you’ll know it’s hard to forget. Two ordinary people, cast in bronze, positioned out at sea as if they’re contemplating the great beyond. There’s another version of them on the promenade too, slightly smaller, watching their larger selves out on the breakwater. It’s public art, yes, but like a

Is That True of You Today? Years ago, in a session with my own coach (yes, us coaches need coaching too ), I was sharing a story about myself.A paradigm I believed to be absolutely true. She paused, looked at me and asked: “Is that true of you today?” It stopped me in my tracks.That single question caused me to pause and reassess.And I realised… it wasn’t true anymore. That old belief had expired, but I was still living as if it were real. In my work with leaders, Imposter Sy

Have you ever wanted something so badly it hurt? A new role, a relationship, a project, a client, a “yes” that would validate your effort, your readiness, your worth. And then — you hear no .“No, you’re not ready.”“No, this isn’t the right fit.”“No, we’re going in a different direction.” It stings, doesn’t it? That kind of rejection can feel deeply personal. Years ago, I remember being determined to land a particular role. The interviewer looked me straight in the eye and sai

I talked about emptying your mind and creating headspace recently. One thing I didnt tell you... Plan Mindfully, Not Mechanically When...

A busy mind doesn’t need fixing — it needs space. Try this:Write down everything  that’s on your mind.Not a to-do list — a thought dump ....

“I haven’t got time to stop!”Sound familiar? That’s usually the moment you need to pause the most. Just sit. Just walk. Just breathe....

Your head is buzzing. Your focus is scattered. You feel like you’re running just to stay still. Most of us live in a world where there’s...

Stillness sounds simple. But anyone who has tried it knows it isn’t easy. Here in Baroniškė forest in Lithuania, I’ve been sitting among...

I love a challenge and an adventure . Learning by stepping outside of comfort zones and seeing how that learningcan be applied and...

What if leadership was less about what you say—and more about how you are  when you say it? This isn’t a post about strategy. It’s about...

Rachel Reeves and the Courage to Be Seen When was the last time you cried at work, or saw someone else do it, and didn’t immediately feel...

With tight deadlines, team tensions, changing priorities, it’s easy to fall into the trap of blame. “They didn’t deliver.”“That meeting...

I’ve been using juggling in my work for years, not as entertainment, but as insight. When I teach it to leaders, I always say: it’s never...

Rethinking Leadership from the Inside Out In June’s Number 8 Club session, we explored the Japanese philosophy of Ikigai —a concept...

Its quite natural to ask this question if you ar looking to work with me: I work with leaders who are navigating change, pressure, or a...

People often describe me as calm, grounded, easy to be around.And that’s true… most of the time. But what many don’t see is my impulsive...