My (mostly) weekly thoughts on leadership, high performance, wellbeing and more.

Have a read through, or you can see a complete index here

Madeleine Shaw Madeleine Shaw

Notes from Paris: What actually builds trust

Being trusted as a leader takes more than good intent or credibility. Inside teams, trust is shaped by how you show up, what you prioritise, and what you are willing to say out loud, even when it feels uncomfortable.

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Madeleine Shaw Madeleine Shaw

Done is better than perfect

This week I struggled coming up with a polished leadership insight… just a reminder that done is often kinder (and braver) than perfect.

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Madeleine Shaw Madeleine Shaw

The problem with best practice

Best practice can be a useful yardstick, but it’s also yesterday’s answer. Stronger leaders ask what’s right for here and now.

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Madeleine Shaw Madeleine Shaw

Your calendar is your culture

If you want to know a leader’s real priorities, don’t read their strategy… look at their calendar. Your calendar is your culture

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Madeleine Shaw Madeleine Shaw

When to show your homework

Brevity builds confidence, true… but sometimes the detail is the message. The real leadership skill is knowing which one the moment calls for…

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Madeleine Shaw Madeleine Shaw

The courage to change your mind

Consistency builds trust. But the bravest leaders know when to change their mind — and why it builds credibility, not weakness.

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Madeleine Shaw Madeleine Shaw

Here’s to the lazy ones

“Lazy” is often seen as a flaw. But what if a little laziness is actually the secret to effective leadership?

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Madeleine Shaw Madeleine Shaw

When “good” becomes a trap

When being good at work stops helping you - and starts holding you back. A reflection on how real leadership sometimes means letting go of doing things right.

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Madeleine Shaw Madeleine Shaw

Enough about me; what do you think of me?

I don’t love the term “personal brand” (I prefer reputation), but whatever you call it,

I want to share a process that can help you think it through in a structured way.

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