Can I be happy and a lawyer?

If you find yourself facing a high-stakes situation without trust in each other, it’s like entering a freeway before you’ve mastered the basics of driving. The results can be predictably chaotic. Investing time in building trust is not just about improving current dynamics but ensuring you have that safety net when you most need it.

My daughter’s first driving lessons got me thinking about the parallels in leadership: trust, boundaries and stretching outside the comfort zone.

As a leader, you’re only human – you will have highs and lows just like everyone. But your impact is outsized – so be aware and take care to adjust accordingly – especially when you’re busy!

A mistake I often see leaders make is to try and snap people from the point of first hearing about a change to being totally on board with it, skipping over all the uncomfortable complexity in between. Here’s why that doesn’t work

Hitting a plateau when you’re trying to make a change can be frustrating. Here’s some ways through it…

Efficient managers are great for groups, but teams need more. Groups gather for tasks; teams unite to achieve a vision.

It is an enduring mystery why we insist on crushing people in the name of productivity. Here are some alternative ideas…

This humans as machines thing has got to go.

Surprise! Work isn’t always easy. Here’s 5 things to do when the going gets tough – and a nifty downloadable infographic for you

I sometimes hear leaders worry that empathetic leadership is some kind of soft and squishy nice-to-have thing that trades off performance. Are we really still having this conversation?

In both your work and personal life, “sorry, not sorry” is about recognising that your decisions may not always align with societal norms or expectations, but they are true to who you are and what you value.

Saying "yes" to something is not merely an affirmation but a subtle, often overlooked declaration of priorities. Here’s why and how to take control of your own time and life…

Figuring out your true north is a bit like trying to tune into a radio station while on a road trip. There's a bit of static, some stations come in clearer than others, and every so often, you hit that sweet spot where everything comes in loud and clear. Your compass questions are there to help cut through the static, asking you to consider not just the job title you want, but the impact and fulfillment you seek.

As we return to our professional lives after the summer break, it’s a perfect moment for introspection and setting the tone for the year ahead. This year, I’m shifting from setting traditional goals or resolutions to embracing what I’m calling “compass questions”. Here’s my 4…

Are you tired? Me too. The festive season isn't just about celebration; it's an opportunity to dial down, reflect, and prepare for the year ahead. Here are five ways to make the most of your summer break.

You mean well, right? Even the most well-intentioned leaders can sometimes inadvertently make situations worse. Here are ten common leadership mistakes and how to avoid them.

Retiring from partnership in law or professional services firm means deep personal and professional identity shifts. You’ve been operating in one mode for a long time – possibly your whole career in the one place. How to prepare for a new kind of life?

I love some tasty spilled tea as much as the next person, but gossip at work is a double-edged sword. As a leader, your actions and attitudes can inadvertently fuel a negative gossip culture. Here's how you might be doing it and what you can do instead.

Need to give some potentially unwelcome feedback to your boss? Some will welcome the direct approach, but often a little tact is more effective.

Here are 5 tips for giving feedback to those above you (or really, anyone) …

As we navigate the corridors of our professional lives, comfort tasks often become soothing and familiar landmarks. They can also be a trap. Here’s why, and what to do about it.

You've just landed a leadership role (congratulations!) and your team is seasoned, skilled, and let's just say it, has been around the solar system a few more times than you. They've got experience tucked in their belts while you’re still trying to figure out where the coffee machine is. No worries – here’s what to do.

The law firm hierarchy used to be clear: work hard, put in the hours, respect the pecking order, do what you’re told, and await your turn. Not anymore.

Here’s what’s changing, and how to adapt.

If you've ever wondered how to cast a dark cloud over the start of the workweek, I’m here to help.

Here are some top-notch (though not recommended) ways to make Mondays the most dreaded day for your team…

The lights are on, the audience is watching, and there's an expectation to deliver. In these moments, it's easy to gaze across and compare our own behind-the-scenes chaos with the polished performances of our peers.

Here’s why we shouldn’t.

Preparing for a crucial meeting?

Elevate your insight by asking yourself these 5 questions.

I often hear clients ask how to balance driving accountability in their teams while remaining true to their value of treating people well.

Here’s why that’s the wrong question…

I’ve noticed three clear themes in the challenges talented leaders face as they approach their first senior executive role.

Here are the red flags to look out for, and what to do about them.