I picked this word out of the small bowl of words on my desk this morning. A daily ritual: drawing one small card, turning the word over, letting it land. Today’s word stopped me in my tracks. Be. Such a small word. One of the oldest verbs in the English language, in fact. Its roots […]

I’ve been invited to contribute a chapter to a book on thoughtful leadership. It’s an honour, and I don’t take it lightly. One of the ground rules is clear and non-negotiable: no AI. Every word must come from me — from my experience, my mistakes, my hard-won understanding of what actually works when you’re sitting […]

Something has shifted. I feel it, and I suspect you do too. Wars that seem without end. Geopolitical fractures deepening by the day. Organisations consuming their best people. Brilliant, capable leaders who arrive full of energy and leave hollowed out. Environmental damage accumulating faster than our willingness to address it. These aren’t isolated failures. They […]

This morning I received a small surprise in the post. A parcel containing two books. Both written by the same author. Both signed. And both with a personal dedication to me. The only problem is… I have no clear memory of meeting him. I’ve been racking my brain ever since. Where did we meet? What […]

Today I chose the word power from my bowl of inspiration. It’s a word that can feel heavy, even loaded. In boardrooms and political arenas, power is often associated with hierarchy, authority and control. Yet the kind of power that most interests me — and the kind I build all my work around — is […]

This past Saturday was Valentine’s Day. I was surprised and blessed with a beautiful bouquet of roses and tulips. I spent the afternoon preparing a delicious meal for my husband and me to share. Candles lit on the table. Soft music playing in the background. A simple, intentional pause to celebrate the many years we […]

It’s so easy to get distracted these days. Endless emails. WhatsApp notifications pinging at all hours. Teams messages. “Quick” questions. Crises that erupt without warning. And then there’s our own tendency to just check one thing… only to find ourselves still roaming the internet, or quizzing ChatGPT, half an hour later. I’ve noticed it in […]

Last week I took two full days out to begin a new coaching programme.  Not one I offer my clients. One for me. A space to deepen my own wellbeing, to grow my mastery as a coach and trainer, and quite simply, to become a better player in my own life and work.  And those […]

Today the word I’ve chosen is timing. It’s a word that’s been sitting with me since the weekend, after I spent a full day immersed in music with around forty other amateur musicians. Violins and violas, cellos and pianists, singers, flautists, and one wonderfully expressive clarinettist. A room full of people who love music enough […]

My word to reflect on today is power. It’s a word that often carries a heavy charge. For some, it evokes authority, hierarchy, dominance. For others, it brings up discomfort, restraint, or memories of power misused. Yet at its root, power comes from the Latin posse — “to be able”. Capacity. Capability. The ability to […]