Why ‘Ponderings’?
My brain is like a cooker/stove top. It has ‘stuff’ bubbling away on it all the time. Some is quietly blipping away in the background. Others front of mind and needing my attention.
I’m inspired by conversations, news items, articles, events and these blogs are the results of those musings!
In case you missed it, my take on workplace stress from Entrepreneur UK
Most workplace stress training soothes rather than solves. I unpacked why in a recent Entrepreneur UK feature, and what diagnosing the real cause really looks like.
Why I still bang on about a sinking ship
Spoiler alert, nobody died. Here's why I keep telling the story of the time my ship nearly sank. It might be exactly what your next offsite needs.
Have you watched my TEDx talk?
You wouldn't book a wedding band without hearing them play. So why book a conference speaker without watching them speak? Here's my TEDx talk, and why it is more useful than my bio.
Why being a control freak is a good thing!
Most leaders know the circles of concern, influence and control, but knowing the model and using it under pressure are two very different things.
When the problem isn’t skills, it’s stress
"We need to upskill our team" is the brief I hear most. But more often than you'd think, the team doesn't need training, they need to stop being exhausted.
Stop taking “hopium”, your stress management strategy needs an intervention
Hopium is the dangerous combination of hope and optimism that convinces you everything will somehow work out fine without you actually taking any action.
‘Tis the season that stretches relationships
While we're all decking the halls, workplace tensions can be rising faster than Santa up the chimney.
The three questions every high-performing team must answer
High-performing teams don't just happen by chance. They are built on clear focus, effective time management and continuous information flow.
Overcoming the curse of competence
Many leaders believe that lacking solutions or needing input from others somehow makes them appear less competent. Does asking for help really signal weakness, or does it demonstrate humility?
Overcoming your leadership shadow
Every leader has a leadership shadow. If we fail to address these shadows, they restrict our leadership potential and impact the people we lead.
Managing a difficult boss
While dealing with toxic bosses can feel daunting, it’s something we should all feel confident to do. In this article Johanna takes a look at what you can do if you’re experiencing toxic leadership in your organisation.
The loneliness of command
In this article, Johanna explores the loneliness of command and shares how it’s possible for leaders to have better difficult conversations with their teams.
Are you a leaky leader?
Are you a Leaky Leader?
And how to make changes for the good of you, your team and your business.
Many years ago when I was serving aboard HMS Illustrious, a Chief in my team commented, “I can tell your mood by the way you walk through the office”.
In a hierarchical organisation like the Royal Navy, making a comment like that to a senior officer takes a certain level of confidence (and some might say courage).
But, decades later, I can still recall that exchange with absolute clarity.
Why?