I wasn’t expecting my final coaching session of the year to involve a red suit, a snowy beard and the faint smell of cinnamon… but here we are. Santa — yes, that Santa — arrived five minutes early, hung his coat carefully over the chair (which was impressive given the size of it), and smiled as he…
A Guide for Senior Leaders Leadership leaves a trace. Long after a leader walks out of a meeting or closes their laptop, the imprint of their behaviour, tone, and presence lingers. This is what many people call the leadership shadow — the emotional and cultural footprint that shapes how others think, feel, and act. Sometimes this shadow…
In the age of social media and self-branding, we’re often told to “be the main character” in our own story — to take control, stand out, and make things happen. It sounds empowering. But as the philosopher C Thi Nguyen argues in his Aeon essay https://aeon.co/essays/why-main-character-syndrome-is-philosophically-dangerous Why Main Character Syndrome Is Philosophically Dangerous, this mindset can subtly distort how…
(Inspired by Gallup’s insights — read the full article here) In today’s rapidly shifting work environment, development isn’t optional — it’s the oxygen for engagement, retention, and performance. Gallup’s research shows a wake-up call: just 31% of employees strongly agree there is someone at work who encourages their development — a drop from 36% before the pandemic. When people feel…
Imposter Syndrome in Executives and the Power of Coaching In the high-stakes world of executive leadership, confidence and decisiveness are often seen as non-negotiable traits. Yet, behind the polished exterior of many successful executives lies a quiet, yet persistent struggle: imposter syndrome. Despite their achievements, many leaders grapple with the fear of being exposed as a…
If Santa were autistic, it would likely bring unique traits to how he approaches his role. Autism is a spectrum, and people with it often have strengths such as a deep focus, attention to detail, creativity, and a commitment to fairness—all of which could enhance Santa’s duties. Here’s how it might play out: Meticulous…
Embracing and making the most of life before it’s too late involves recognizing the fleeting nature of our existence and acting with intention and urgency. Here’s how to embrace life fully and ensure you don’t miss out on what truly matters: Establishing clear goals gives direction and purpose. Identify what you want to achieve in…
What stops us from moving forward in our lives? For many the answer is simple: Procrastination. The definition of the word is described as “the action of unnecessarily and voluntarily delaying or postponing something despite knowing that there will be negative consequences for doing so”. Procrastinators are usually perfectionists: for whom it may be psychologically…
When we think about the evolution of music through the decades and the historical legacy left for the generations who listen, what message and effect has its impact left and how can it be used in the world of Coaching? From the rock and roll of Elvis in the 50’s to the eclectic mix of…
This edition of the Coaching diaries we turn the spotlight on Confidence and look at Andy Murray. We give our thoughts on how confidence or lack of it plays a significant part on the matches he has lost and why coaching in this area can help absolutely everyone. When a client first embarks on the…
