Confronting the hidden cost of inaction on career progress

History is littered with examples of businesses that failed to assess the cost of inaction and are no longer with us. Mainframe computer company DEC failed to capitalise on the shift to personal computing. Kodak had the opportunity to enter the digital photography market but famously missed exploiting it. We have all seen and heard … Read more

The power of a people strategy and transformational leadership

When Natalie started a new role leading a critical branch of her organisation, she knew she had to create a people strategy. Staff turnover was through the roof and employee engagement was low and it was costing them a high price. She grappled with her self-doubts about her lack of experience and expertise in strategy, … Read more

Outstanding leaders build a reputation for integrity

Tradesmen turned up this week to repair our shower right on the dot, just as they promised. When we booked them in six weeks earlier, they gave us a clear start date. They sent us a friendly reminder a week ahead and turned up as promised. And when they arrived, they explained each step of … Read more

The power of being curious in leadership and life

You don’t have to be a fan of the award-winning TV series Ted Lasso to relate to the scene where Ted plays a high-stakes game of darts with a wealthy, entitled Rupert Mannion. Ted baits Rupert into a wager by throwing a couple of darts using his weaker right hand, fooling him into thinking he … Read more

Why leaders challenge groupthink and embrace contrarian views

Steve Jobs’s decision to streamline Apple’s product line in 1997 was a pivotal moment in the company’s history. Confronted with a cluttered array of over a dozen Macintosh models, Jobs recognised the need for a radical overhaul. According to Walter Isaacson’s 2011 biography, ‘Jobs interrupted a product strategy session, grabbed a marker, and drew a … Read more