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

The Leadership Metrics No-one Talks About

Most leadership success is measured in numbers—revenue, engagement, retention. But some of the most critical leadership skills aren’t easily tracked.

How well do you handle unfinished business? Can you influence beyond your authority? Do you recover quickly from bad decisions?

These invisible factors separate good leaders from great ones. In this post, we break down five leadership metrics no one talks about—but every leader should master.

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Madeleine Shaw Madeleine Shaw

How to lead a change you don’t agree with

One of the toughest challenges in leadership is guiding your team through a change you don’t fully agree with. It’s a test of professionalism, resilience, and values—especially when the line between authenticity and organisational unity feels razor-thin. Here are some tips for handling this challenge.

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Madeleine Shaw Madeleine Shaw

The leadership unicorn … in a Venn diagram

Working with a client a few weeks ago, we came up with this model for the "perfect" senior leader. They combine strategy, execution, team building and influence. Where do you see yourself on the model?

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Madeleine Shaw Madeleine Shaw

Comfort zones are underrated

Learning and growth requires stretch and discomfort AND rest and consolidation. In the zeitgeisty rush to get out of our comfort zones, don’t forget to head back there sometimes for a little R&R.

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Madeleine Shaw Madeleine Shaw

Influence vs manipulation

Whether through manipulation or influence, a leader drives decisions and changes how others act or respond. If you’re someone who “doesn’t do politics”, consider whether these insights might help you to dial up your impact without sacrificing your moral compass.

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Madeleine Shaw Madeleine Shaw

Flexible working means trusting your team

Here’s a hard question for you as a leader:

Do you trust your team to work just as well (if not better) when you’re not there to oversee it all?

Here’s some questions to help you gauge your readiness to lead in a world of flexible working

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Madeleine Shaw Madeleine Shaw

Is it nerves or imposter syndrome?

We all feel nervous at times—whether it's a big presentation, a new role, or preparing for a tricky conversation. But how do you tell the difference between normal nerves and imposter syndrome?

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Madeleine Shaw Madeleine Shaw

Tired? 3 sleep tips

So often we stay up late to get work done but that’s like bailing water out of a sinking boat without fixing the leak: it might feel like you’re getting lots done and for a while, you do keep the boat afloat. Until you don’t. Here’s the science on sleep and performance.

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Madeleine Shaw Madeleine Shaw

How your thoughts shape your leadership

You’ve probably noticed how a single thought can shift your entire mood, either lifting you up or dragging you down. It’s not just a coincidence—there’s solid science behind this. Find out more…

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