The phrase "feedback is a gift" is pretty common in many workplaces. 

While feedback can be a great way to know how you're doing and to improve, it can also be a bad thing. 

Many people are terrible at giving feedback, so accepting it all would be a mistake. 

In this episode I take a look at how to decide whether to accept or reject feedback, and how to use feedback to keep improving. 

Book your free 30-minute consultation, where we'll discuss your goals and challenges and how my coaching may be able to help. 

Then we can decide whether we're a good fit to work together. 

>>> Click here to book your free consultation.

Show Links: 

• Blind Spots: How to Shrink Yours to Lead Better – A guide on how to reduce blind spots in leadership to lead more effectively.
• 10 Simple & Effective Tips For Giving Feedback – Practical advice on how to give feedback in a constructive and helpful manner.
• Thoughtful Leader Podcast #247: How to Listen Better at Work (and Why It Matters) – A podcast episode discussing the importance of active listening in the workplace.
• Why Leaders Should Have a Reflective Practice – An article emphasizing the benefits of reflective practice for leaders.
• My Useful Thinking Journal – A tool designed to help individuals reflect and improve their decision-making processes.
• How to Stop Ruminating – A resource offering strategies to stop overthinking and reduce stress from negative thoughts.

Everyone wants to feel more confident, because we worry less and feel as if we've got everything under control. 

The problem is, we all have those self-doubting thoughts from time to time. 

And the more you push yourself and improve, you'll be putting yourself in new situations which will stretch you even more, and potentially make you feel even less confident!

But, what if your lack of confidence could actually be a good thing? I reckon it is, and that's what I'll talk about in this episode. 

If you're ready to improve your leadership situation, click the link to apply for your complimentary 30-minute discovery call: Apply Now.

Show Links: 

• Thoughtful Leader Podcast #219: 4 Steps to Grow Your Leadership Confidence – Gain insights into practical steps for building confidence in your leadership role.
• Leadership Confidence Problem? Let's Diagnose It – Explore potential confidence challenges in leadership and strategies to overcome them.
• How Much Technical Expertise Should You Have to Lead Your Team? – Delve into the role of technical expertise in effective team leadership.
• Thoughtful Leader Podcast #58: Why Leaders Should Do More Planning (and Why They Don't) – Understand the benefits of planning in leadership and reasons why leaders sometimes avoid it.
• Why Leaders Should Show Vulnerability at Work – Learn why showing vulnerability can help leaders build trust and credibility with their teams.
• Start Being Trustworthy For Your Team: Here's How – Discover actionable steps for developing trustworthiness as a key leadership trait.

Talk to many employees, and they'll tell you that their boss is one of their biggest time management challenges.

So is this the case when it comes to your leadership?

In this episode, I take a look at whether you might be time management problem for your team, and what to do about it. 

If you're interested in potentially working with me, I invite you to apply for a complimentary coaching call.

This can help you to: 

• Understand more about how I coach
• Make progress on some of your key challenges; and
• Decide whether we're a good fit to work together.

I can't coach everyone who applies, but if you don't try, we'll never know!

 >>> Click here to apply for your complimentary coaching session. 

If you like this episode or the show in general, please take a few minutes to leave a review by clicking one of the links below.

Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏

>>> Click here to leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

>>> Click here to leave a rating on Spotify.

Show Links: 

• Thoughtful Leader Podcast #156: Let's Dismantle the Cult of Busyness
• Forget the Tools, Master These Top 3 Time Management Skills
• Self Assessment Tools: How to Get the Most Out of Them
• 4 Subtle Signs That Your Team is Overworked
• Thoughtful Leader Podcast #80: What to Do When You Have Too Many Priorities
• Why Leaders Must Push Back and Say "No".

Reflection has significant benefits for leaders, but I find that many leaders don't engage in reflection very often.

In this episode, I'll take a look at the benefits of reflection and some of the issues that people encounter with it.

Then, I'll outline some practical steps to implement a reflective practice for yourself (and keep it up!)

If you like this episode or the show in general, please take a few minutes to leave a review by clicking one of the links below.

Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏

>>> Click here to leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

>>> Click here to leave a rating on Spotify.

If you're interested in potentially working with me, I invite you to apply for a complimentary coaching call.

This can help you to: 

• Understand more about how I coach
• Make progress on some of your key challenges; and
• Decide whether we're a good fit to work together.

I can't coach everyone who applies, but if you don't try, we'll never know!

 >>> Click here to apply for your complimentary coaching session. 

Show Links: 

• Gratitude journalling overview.
• 3 Ways to Reduce Unhelpful Thinking.
• Want to Show Confidence? Start by Noticing.
• Learning from successes and failures: Ellis et al, 2006.
• How Reflection Aids Performance: Di Stefano et al, 2014.
• Positive Work Reflection: Sonnentag et al 2021.
• People Not Doing What You Want? Ask This Leadership Question.
• Thoughtful Leader Podcast #204: Create Better Leadership Habits With These 3 Key Ingredients.
• Charles Duhigg: How habits work.
• Why does writing by hand promote better and faster learning?

Having a sense of purpose is critical according to several motivation theories and models. 

So how do we help our people find it?

In this episode, I take a look at some practical ways that you can assist your team to find their sense of purpose. 

It's not our responsibility to find it for our team, but we can help to create the right environment. 

If you like this episode or the show in general, please take a few minutes to leave a review by clicking one of the links below.

Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏

>>> Click here to leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

>>> Click here to leave a rating on Spotify.

If you're interested in potentially working with me, I invite you to apply for a complimentary coaching call.

This can help you to: 

• Understand more about how I coach
• Make progress on some of your key challenges; and
• Decide whether we're a good fit to work together.

I can't coach everyone who applies, but if you don't try, we'll never know!

 >>> Click here to apply for your complimentary coaching session. 

Show Links: 

• Dan Pink's "Drive".
• Job Characteristics model.
• David Rock's SCARF model.
• Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs.
• Thoughtful Leader Podcast #84: How to Give Your Team More Meaningful Work.
• Why No One Cares About Your Company Values (and How to Fix It).
• Why You Should Prioritise That Career Conversation.
• Team Improvement: 5 Reasons Smart Leaders Love It.
• Roles and Responsibilities Unclear? Do This.
• Making Difficult Decisions: Essential Steps for Leaders.
• Thoughtful Leader Podcast #156: Let's Dismantle the Cult of Busyness.

Getting out of your comfort zone is a worthwhile thing to do. 

But being out of your comfort zone all the time is stressful and draining. 

So when it comes to leadership, when should we make the effort to get out of our comfort zone?

I take a look at this topic in this episode. 

If you like this episode or the show in general, please take a few minutes to leave a review by clicking one of the links below.

Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏

>>> Click here to leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

>>> Click here to leave a rating on Spotify.

If you're interested in potentially working with me, I invite you to apply for a complimentary coaching call.

This can help you to: 

• Understand more about how I coach
• Make progress on some of your key challenges; and
• Decide whether we're a good fit to work together.

I can't coach everyone who applies, but if you don't try, we'll never know!

 >>> Click here to apply for your complimentary coaching session. 

Show links: 

• Waking Up app.
• David Whyte Poem: Just Beyond Yourself.
• 4 Critical Steps to Grow Your Confidence In Leadership.
• Thoughtful Leader Podcast #53: Why Trusting Your People Is Your Best Strategy.
• 5 Ways to Say No Without Getting Fired.
• Thoughtful Leader Podcast #224: Are You a Quiet Leader? Use These Tips to Lead More Effectively.
• How to Influence People to Achieve Your Leadership Goals.

"Quiet quitting" is a relatively recent term that describes people doing the bare minimum at work. 

They aren't exactly quitting, but they're no longer going "over and above" for their organisation.

In this episode, I take a look at whether this is a real problem at all… and whether simply leading better could be the solution.

If you like this episode or the show in general, please take a few minutes to leave a review by clicking one of the links below.

Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏

>>> Click here to leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

>>> Click here to leave a rating on Spotify.

If you're interested in potentially working with me, I invite you to apply for a complimentary coaching call.

This can help you to: 

• Understand more about how I coach
• Make progress on some of your key challenges; and
• Decide whether we're a good fit to work together.

I can't coach everyone who applies, but if you don't try, we'll never know!

 >>> Click here to apply for your complimentary coaching session. 

Show Links: 

• 5 Questions to Ask An Unmotivated Team Member
• Thoughtful Leader Podcast #231: Tips to Set More Effective Team Goals
• How Leaders Can Avoid Setting Unrealistic Expectations
• Roles and Responsibilities Unclear? Do This
• Taking On Too Much? Here's Why.

Thoughtful leaders have the positive quality of being… well… thoughtful.

This can be a great thing, but it can also come with challenges of overthinking and rumination which aren't at all helpful.

In this episode, I take a look at some research-based ideas that might help when you are struggling to get out of an unhelpful thinking rut.

If you like this episode or the show in general, please take a few minutes to leave a review by clicking one of the links below.

Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏

>>> Click here to leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

>>> Click here to leave a rating on Spotify.

If you're interested in potentially working with me, I invite you to apply for a complimentary coaching call.

This can help you to: 

• Understand more about how I coach
• Make progress on some of your key challenges; and
• Decide whether we're a good fit to work together.

I can't coach everyone who applies, but if you don't try, we'll never know!

 >>> Click here to apply for your complimentary coaching session. 

Show Links: 

• Overthinking Things? How Thoughtful Leaders Can Stop It
• Thoughtful Leader Podcast #219: 4 Steps to Grow Your Leadership Confidence
• Worrying About Work? Tips For Thoughtful Leaders
• All or Nothing Thinking: How Is It Impacting Your Leadership?
• Thoughtful Leader Podcast #140: Are You Being Too Optimistic?
• Why Self Acceptance is a Foundation for Good Leadership.

Having career conversations with your team members can make a huge difference in leadership.

However, many leaders don't make the time for them and I think they're missing an opportunity.

In this episode, we'll take a look at the benefits of career conversations, how to have them effectively and some of the reasons why many leaders don't have them… or really struggle to deliver them effectively.

If you like this episode or the show in general, please take a few minutes to leave a review by clicking one of the links below.

Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏

>>> Click here to leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

>>> Click here to leave a rating on Spotify.

If you're interested in potentially working with me, I invite you to apply for a complimentary coaching call.

This can help you to: 

• Understand more about how I coach
• Make progress on some of your key challenges; and
• Decide whether we're a good fit to work together.

I can't coach everyone who applies, but if you don't try, we'll never know!

 >>> Click here to apply for your complimentary coaching session. 

Show Links: 

• How Short Term Thinking Leads to Bad Leadership
• Thoughtful Leader Podcast #214: How to Start Being More Trustworthy For Your Team
• Book by Daniel Pink: Drive
• Meaningful Work, the #1 Motivator (and How to Provide it in Your Team)
• Liked or Respected: Which Would You Rather Be?
• Thoughtful Leader Podcast #165: How to Provide Development Opportunities For Your Team.

Displaying vulnerability takes courage, especially when you're in a leadership role. 

Many leaders feel an expectation to know all the answers or give the perfect directions, or to display the "stiff upper lip" mentality and show resilience in the face of any challenge.

In this episode, we're going to look at the potential benefits of showing vulnerability and how you might start going about it. 

If you like this episode or the show in general, please take a few minutes to leave a review by clicking one of the links below.

Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏

>>> Click here to leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

>>> Click here to leave a rating on Spotify.

If you're interested in potentially working with me, I invite you to apply for a complimentary coaching call.

This can help you to: 

• Understand more about how I coach
• Make progress on some of your key challenges; and
• Decide whether we're a good fit to work together.

I can't coach everyone who applies, but if you don't try, we'll never know!

 >>> Click here to apply for your complimentary coaching session. 

Show Links: 

• Directive Leadership: 4 Situations When You Should Be Using It
• How to Manage Your Emotions For Better Leadership
• Thoughtful Leader Pocast #214: How to Start Being More Trustworthy For Your Team
• Are You Taking Yourself Too Seriously?
• 5 Leadership Misconceptions We Need to Correct.

It's easy to fall prey to some common leadership excuses that stop us from taking action. 

But… doing nothing is a choice like any other!

In this episode I discuss some common excuses I hear for putting up with bad behaviour or poor performance.

Do any of them sound familiar?

If you like this episode or the show in general, please take a few minutes to leave a review by clicking one of the links below.

Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏

>>> Click here to leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

>>> Click here to leave a rating on Spotify.

If you're interested in potentially working with me, I invite you to apply for a complimentary coaching call.

This can help you to: 

• Understand more about how I coach
• Make progress on some of your key challenges; and
• Decide whether we're a good fit to work together.

I can't coach everyone who applies, but if you don't try, we'll never know!

 >>> Click here to apply for your complimentary coaching session. 

Show Links: 

• Thoughtful Leader Podcast #149: Steps to Break Negative Behaviour Patterns
• 6 Steps to Deal With Behaviour Issues In Your Team
• Thoughtful Leader Podcast #183: Power Dynamics: How Are They Impacting Your Team?
• How to Influence People to Achieve Your Leadership Goals
• Thoughtful Leader Podcast #229: Is a Direct Conversation Needed? Use This Checklist.
• Why Leaders Must Drive Consequences in the Workplace
• Setting Team Goals: Tips for Thoughtful Leaders
• Why No One Cares About Your Company Values (and How to Fix It)
• Power Dynamics: Are They Impacting Your Team?
• Seeing Negative Behaviour Patterns? Here's How to Stop Them
• Thoughtful Leader Podcast #82: Thoughtful Leader's 5 Cs of Performance Management
• Got People Problems? Here Are 5 Reassuring Thoughts
• Imperfect Principles for Having a Challenging Conversation
• Is It Picking Your Battles or Just Avoidance?
• People Not Doing What You Want? Ask This Leadership Question.

Dealing with people problems in a team can be stressful and frustrating. 

But to manage them effectively, you need to demonstrate persistence!

So in this episode, I take a look at some point to keep in mind that may help you feel a little more positive about your situation.

If you like this episode or the show in general, please take a few minutes to leave a review by clicking one of the links below.

Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏

>>> Click here to leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

>>> Click here to leave a rating on Spotify.

If you're interested in potentially working with me, I invite you to apply for a complimentary coaching call.

This can help you to: 

• Understand more about how I coach
• Make progress on some of your key challenges; and
• Decide whether we're a good fit to work together.

I can't coach everyone who applies, but if you don't try, we'll never know!

 >>> Click here to apply for your complimentary coaching session. 

Show Links:

• Harvard article: Positive reframing and examining evidence
• Essential Daily Habits to Maintain Your Workplace Wellbeing
• Thoughtful Leader Podcast #200: How to Feel More Positive at Work
• The Iceberg Model of Human Behavior
• Thoughtful Leader Podcast #149: Steps to Break Negative Behaviour Patterns
• Thoughtful Leader Podcast #129: Are Your People Resistant to Change? Try These Tips!
• Tips for Thoughtful Leaders Who Worry about Work.

Our beliefs shape the actions we take, which makes a big difference in how we lead. 

In this episode, I'm going to look at some key beliefs which can make a positive difference on your team.

But what if you don't have these beliefs? Well, I'll discuss that too. 

If you're ready to improve your leadership situation, click the link to apply for your complimentary 30-minute discovery call: Apply Now.

Show Links: 

• Thoughtful Leader Podcast #158: Let's Build a Better Leadership Mindset. – Explore how mindset shifts can improve leadership and build a positive workplace environment.
• Team Improvement: 5 Reasons Smart Leaders Love It – Discover strategies to help leaders support team growth and encourage continuous improvement.
• Motivation at Work: Moving Your People Along the Motivation Spectrum – Learn techniques to increase employee motivation and productivity within your team.
• Thoughtful Leader Podcast #22: Self-Fulfilling Prophecy & Leadership. – Understand how a leader's beliefs and expectations can impact team behaviour and outcomes.

Most of us don't feel like we're very inspiring. We tend to leave that to the "celebrity" leaders out there.

But wait a minute – being an inspiring leader might be easier than you think!

In this episode I take a look at why being inspiring is important, and some simple ways you might go about it.

If you like this episode or the show in general, please take a few minutes to leave a review by clicking one of the links below.

Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏

>>> Click here to leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

>>> Click here to leave a rating on Spotify.

If you're interested in potentially working with me, I invite you to apply for a complimentary coaching call.

This can help you to: 

• Understand more about how I coach
• Make progress on some of your key challenges; and
• Decide whether we're a good fit to work together.

I can't coach everyone who applies, but if you don't try, we'll never know!

 >>> Click here to apply for your complimentary coaching session. 

Show Links:

• The Leadership Challenge
• Thoughtful Leader Podcast #90: Beating Leadership Imposter Syndrome
• How to Stay Calm at Work: 5 Tips for Leaders
• How to Manage Your Emotions For Better Leadership
• The Impact and Importance of Emotions in Leadership
• Worrying About Work? Tips For Thoughtful Leaders
• 6 Great Ways to Support Your Team
• Wellbeing at Work: How Leaders Can Support It
• Thoughtful Leader Podcast #144: Is It Time to Start Putting Yourself First?
• Compelling Reasons to Say "No" Today
• Brené Brown website.
• Start Being Trustworthy For Your Team: Here's How
• Thoughtful Leader Podcast #134: Improve Your Leadership With Daily Commitments.

Many people are looking for one thing: a perfect way to have a challenging conversation without people getting upset or saying the wrong thing.

Unfortunately, this doesn't exist, and a challenging conversation will always be uncomfortable!

In this episode, I take a look at some principles to apply to challenging conversations, instead of focusing on the perfect preparation or process.

If you like this episode or the show in general, please take a few minutes to leave a review by clicking one of the links below.

Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏

>>> Click here to leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

>>> Click here to leave a rating on Spotify.

If you're interested in potentially working with me, I invite you to apply for a complimentary coaching call.

This can help you to: 

• Understand more about how I coach
• Make progress on some of your key challenges; and
• Decide whether we're a good fit to work together.

I can't coach everyone who applies, but if you don't try, we'll never know!

 >>> Click here to apply for your complimentary coaching session. 

Show Links:

• Crucial Conversations Course.
• Crucial Conversations Book.
• Difficult Conversations Book.
• Thoughtful Leader Difficult Conversations eBook.
• Build Empathy With the Iceberg Model.
• Thoughtful Leader Podcast #214: Self-interest is a trust destroyer.
• Article: Why Building Trust Is Better Than Authority.

"Pick your battles" is pretty good advice. 

Unless you use this statement to avoid tackling important issues, when you should be trying to solve them. 

In this episode, I take a look at some guidelines to help you decide whether you're actually practicing avoidance, or wisely picking your battles. 

If you like this episode or the show in general, please take a few minutes to leave a review by clicking one of the links below.

Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏

>>> Click here to leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

>>> Click here to leave a rating on Spotify.

I invite you to a complimentary Discovery Coaching Session, where we will:

• Get clear on your most important goals and what is most important to you
• Identify blockers and limiting beliefs that are holding you back; and
• Develop key actions you can take to move forward and make progress.

You will leave the Discovery Coaching Session with a sense of clarity, purpose and practical steps to move you forward.

There is no obligation to pursue further coaching after this session - but many people do!

 >>> Click here to apply for your complimentary coaching session. 

Show Links: 

• Avoiding Conflict? Here's What's Really Happening.
• Is Optimism Bias Sabotaging Your Leadership?
• Adaptive leadership theory.
• The War of Art.
• 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.
• Sphere of Control – Leadership Mindset Change.
• Do You Have a Victim Leadership Mentality?

We know that communication is an important leadership skill. 

However, I think we sometimes get stuck on the speaking and writing more than the listening. 

In this episode, I offer some ideas of how you might listen better at work, and why this can be so important. 

The DISC Model

If you like this episode or the show in general, please take a few minutes to leave a review by clicking one of the links below.

Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏

>>> Click here to leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

>>> Click here to leave a rating on Spotify.

I invite you to a complimentary Discovery Coaching Session, where we will:

• Get clear on your most important goals and what is most important to you
• Identify blockers and limiting beliefs that are holding you back; and
• Develop key actions you can take to move forward and make progress.

You will leave the Discovery Coaching Session with a sense of clarity, purpose and practical steps to move you forward.

There is no obligation to pursue further coaching after this session - but many people do!

 >>> Click here to apply for your complimentary coaching session. 

Show Links: 

• The Power of Paying Attention.
• DISC psychometric assessment.
• Build Empathy with the Iceberg Model.
• The Neuro-Science of Everybody's Favorite Topic – Themselves.
• Coaching Employees? Try These Tips.
• Too Busy at Work? Try These 5 Things.

I think there is a difference between displaying confidence and being confident. 

One is within your control, the other isn't. 

In this episode, I take a look at how you might start to display confidence in leadership from a simple starting point: noticing.

If you like this episode or the show in general, please take a few minutes to leave a review by clicking one of the links below.

Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏

>>> Click here to leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

>>> Click here to leave a rating on Spotify.

I invite you to a complimentary Discovery Coaching Session, where we will:

• Get clear on your most important goals and what is most important to you
• Identify blockers and limiting beliefs that are holding you back; and
• Develop key actions you can take to move forward and make progress.

You will leave the Discovery Coaching Session with a sense of clarity, purpose and practical steps to move you forward.

There is no obligation to pursue further coaching after this session - but many people do!

 >>> Click here to apply for your complimentary coaching session. 

Show Links: 

• Want to Build Empathy? Use the Iceberg Model.
• Thoughtful Leader Podcast #219: 4 Steps to Grow Your Leadership Confidence.
• Why You Need to Speak Up at Work (and Why You Don't).
• Want to Be More Assertive? Watch Your Words.

Hearing "it's not my job" from a team member can be frustrating, and it's a common occurrence in many workplaces.

But before we blame the team member, it's worth thinking about the possible reasons for this statement.

In this episode, I take a look at some of the common causes of this behaviour and what you can do about it.

I invite you to a complimentary Discovery Coaching Session, where we will:

• Get clear on your most important goals and what is most important to you
• Identify blockers and limiting beliefs that are holding you back; and
• Develop key actions you can take to move forward and make progress.

You will leave the Discovery Coaching Session with a sense of clarity, purpose and practical steps to move you forward.

There is no obligation to pursue further coaching after this session - but many people do!

 >>> Click here to apply for your complimentary coaching session. 

If you like this episode or the show in general, please take a few minutes to leave a review by clicking one of the links below.

Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏

>>> Click here to leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

>>> Click here to leave a rating on Spotify.

Show Links:

• Thoughtful Leader Podcast #149: Steps to Break Negative Behaviour Patterns
• Thoughtful Leader Podcast #106: Not Seeing Enough Teamwork? Try This!
• 4 Types of Motivation to Look For In Your Team.
• Motivate Your People Using These 3 Levers.
• Meaningful Work, the #1 Motivator (and How to Provide it in Your Team).
• Thoughtful Leader Podcast #71: A Simple Model for Team Motivation.
• Thoughtful Leader Podcast #142: How Leaders Can Support Wellbeing at Work.

I'm a big fan of using self-assessment (or psychometric) tools to help people understand more about themselves and each other.

However, they aren't perfect and we need to use them with a bit of caution.

In this post, I take a look at some of the things to watch out for and clarify when you're using these types of tools for your team.

If you like this episode or the show in general, please take a few minutes to leave a review by clicking one of the links below.

Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏

>>> Click here to leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

>>> Click here to leave a rating on Spotify.

I invite you to a complimentary Discovery Coaching Session, where we will:

• Get clear on your most important goals and what is most important to you
• Identify blockers and limiting beliefs that are holding you back; and
• Develop key actions you can take to move forward and make progress.

You will leave the Discovery Coaching Session with a sense of clarity, purpose and practical steps to move you forward.

There is no obligation to pursue further coaching after this session - but many people do!

 >>> Click here to apply for your complimentary coaching session. 

Show Links: 

• Article: The Iceberg Model
• PRINT® assessment
• Clifton Strengths
• DISC
• MBTI
• EQi 2.0 Emotional Intelligence
• Thoughtful Leader Podcast #203: Want to Feel Better Leading? Self-Acceptance Is a Good Start.
• Article: Introverted Leaders vs. Extroverted Leaders. Who Wins?
• Article: Professor Brian Little refers to deviations of behaviour like this as "free traits"
• Thoughtful Leader Podcast #153: Why Knowing Yourself Equals Better Leadership.
• Article: 5 Tips For Quiet Leaders
• Article: Blind Spots: How to Shrink Yours to Lead Better
• Article: Don't Know Your Employees? Here's Why You Should.

Being assertive is important in leadership, because it helps us to look out for our own needs and those of our team.

But it doesn't come naturally to everyone, and we can fall into non-assertive habits. 

In this episode, I take a look at some tips to appear more assertive, based on tweaking the language that we use.

If you like this episode or the show in general, please take a few minutes to leave a review by clicking one of the links below.

Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏

>>> Click here to leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

>>> Click here to leave a rating on Spotify.

I invite you to a complimentary Discovery Coaching Session, where we will:

• Get clear on your most important goals and what is most important to you
• Identify blockers and limiting beliefs that are holding you back; and
• Develop key actions you can take to move forward and make progress.

You will leave the Discovery Coaching Session with a sense of clarity, purpose and practical steps to move you forward.

There is no obligation to pursue further coaching after this session - but many people do!

 >>> Click here to apply for your complimentary coaching session. 

Show Links: 

• Thoughtful Leader Podcast #219: 4 Steps to Grow Your Leadership Confidence
• Article: 7 Things Leaders Should Stop Saying
• Article: Is Passive Leadership Destroying Your Team's Motivation?

I find that many thoughtful leaders are introspective and often stuck in their own heads. 

It goes with the territory of being thoughtful, I suppose!

This can be problematic if we start to worry excessively about work. 

So in this episodes, I've collected some tips that have helped me over the years and hopefully they can help you too.

If you like this episode or the show in general, please take a few minutes to leave a review by clicking one of the links below.

Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏

>>> Click here to leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

>>> Click here to leave a rating on Spotify.

I invite you to a complimentary Discovery Coaching Session, where we will:

• Get clear on your most important goals and what is most important to you
• Identify blockers and limiting beliefs that are holding you back; and
• Develop key actions you can take to move forward and make progress.

You will leave the Discovery Coaching Session with a sense of clarity, purpose and practical steps to move you forward.

There is no obligation to pursue further coaching after this session - but many people do!

 >>> Click here to apply for your complimentary coaching session. 

Show Links: 

• Black Dog Institute Website (For mental health resources)
• Thoughtful Leader Podcast #72: How You Can Be a More Thoughtful Leader Today.
• Thoughtful Leader Podcast #143: How to Stop Overthinking Things
• Thoughtful Leader Podcast #200: How to Feel More Positive at Work
• Book: The Happiness Trap.
• Waking Up.
• Article: Box breathing
• Huberman Lab Podcast: How to breathe correctly for optimal health, mood, learning, and performance.

Company values have been around for years, but they can certainly attract a lot of cynicism.

If they are just a poster on the wall which nobody reads, they probably aren't doing much good.

However, I think they can be valuable when you're trying to get lots of people working in the same direction!

In this episode, I take a look at why many people don't care about company values, and some ways that you might start to make them more useful for your team.

If you like this episode or the show in general, please take a few minutes to leave a review by clicking one of the links below.

Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏

>>> Click here to leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

>>> Click here to leave a rating on Spotify.

I invite you to a complimentary Discovery Coaching Session, where we will:

• Get clear on your most important goals and what is most important to you
• Identify blockers and limiting beliefs that are holding you back; and
• Develop key actions you can take to move forward and make progress.

You will leave the Discovery Coaching Session with a sense of clarity, purpose and practical steps to move you forward.

There is no obligation to pursue further coaching after this session - but many people do!

 >>> Click here to apply for your complimentary coaching session. 

Show Links: 

• Brene Brown values list: Brene Brown.
• James Clear values list: James Clear.
• "Built to Last" by Jim Collins and Jerry Porras: Built to Last.
• Podcast: Lead Better By Understanding Your Core Values.
• Article: Why Even Good Leaders Can Show a Lack of Integrity.
• Article: Seeing Negative Behaviour Patterns? Here's How to Stop Them.
• Resources: Live Your Values Deck.
• Article: Why Team Purpose Matters.

Leaders have a huge impact on the people they lead in terms of job satisfaction, morale and performance. 

So do we want leaders who are running around busy, with no time to think?

No, you need time and space to think, so you can be more intentional about what you're doing. 

You'll make better decisions, and that will benefit your teams and your organisation (not to mention yourself).

In this episode, I discuss some ideas to get more thinking time in your day, so you can lead better.

If you're ready to improve your leadership situation, click the link to apply for your complimentary 30-minute discovery call: Apply Now.

Show Links: 

• 3 Ways to Reduce Unhelpful Thinking – Practical tips to manage and reduce unproductive thought patterns.
• Parkinson's Law – Explanation of Parkinson's Law and how shorter meetings can increase productivity.
• Thoughtful Leader Podcast #156: Let's Dismantle the Cult of Busyness – Podcast discussing the need to move away from constant busyness.
• Too Busy at Work? Try These 5 Things – Advice for leaders feeling overwhelmed by work.
• Stakeholder Management Tips For the Everyday Leader – Tips to handle challenging stakeholders and maintain focus.
• Why Leaders Should Have a Reflective Practice – Benefits of a regular reflective practice for leadership.
• Risk & Reward: How to Provide Development Opportunities For Your Team – Ideas for identifying and providing team growth opportunities.
• Thoughtful Leader Podcast #112: Why Smart Leaders Seek Continuous Improvement – Podcast discussing continuous improvement as a leadership skill.
• Meaningful Work, the #1 Motivator (and How to Provide it in Your Team) – Insight on creating meaningful work for team motivation.
• Thoughtful Leader Podcast #73: Why We Need More Mindfulness In Leadership – Explores how mindfulness can enhance leadership.

We all have stories that we carry around in our heads like baggage. 

Some of these stories are helpful, while others can actually work against us. 

In this episode, I take a look at the concept of stories and think about how we might challenge them to put ourselves in a better place. 

I invite you to a complimentary Discovery Coaching Session, where we will:

• Get clear on your most important goals and what is most important to you
• Identify blockers and limiting beliefs that are holding you back; and
• Develop key actions you can take to move forward and make progress.

You will leave the Discovery Coaching Session with a sense of clarity, purpose and practical steps to move you forward.

There is no obligation to pursue further coaching after this session - but many people do!

 >>> Click here to apply for your complimentary coaching session. 

If you like this episode or the show in general, please take a few minutes to leave a review by clicking one of the links below.

Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏

>>> Click here to leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

>>> Click here to leave a rating on Spotify.

Show Links: 

• Article: How Are Your Stories Shaping Your Leadership?
• Article: How to Manage Your Emotions For Better Leadership.
• Podcast: Thoughtful Leader Podcast #158: Let's Build a Better Leadership Mindset.

Encouraging someone to change their behaviour or attitude is hard work, because there are a bunch of barriers that may get in the way. 

To help you understand and navigate your way through the process you can use the simple model in this episode.

It's simple, generic and can be used in many situations!

I invite you to a complimentary Discovery Coaching Session, where we will:

• Get clear on your most important goals and what is most important to you
• Identify blockers and limiting beliefs that are holding you back; and
• Develop key actions you can take to move forward and make progress.

You will leave the Discovery Coaching Session with a sense of clarity, purpose and practical steps to move you forward.

There is no obligation to pursue further coaching after this session - but many people do!

 >>> Click here to apply for your complimentary coaching session. 

If you like this episode or the show in general, please take a few minutes to leave a review by clicking one of the links below.

Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏

>>> Click here to leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

>>> Click here to leave a rating on Spotify.

Show Links: 

• Article: Encourage Change In Your Team With This Simple Model.
• Article: 10 Simple & Effective Tips For Giving Feedback.
• Podcast: Thoughtful Leader Podcast #113: Do You Have a Victim Leadership Mindset?
• Article: People Not Doing What You Want? Ask This Leadership Question.

We often hear about controlling managers who micromanage people. 

But what about controlling employees, who hoard information and wield influence?

In this episode, I take a look at trying to lead a controlling employee, as well as what might be beneath the surface for them.

I invite you to a complimentary Discovery Coaching Session, where we will:

• Get clear on your most important goals and what is most important to you
• Identify blockers and limiting beliefs that are holding you back; and
• Develop key actions you can take to move forward and make progress.

You will leave the Discovery Coaching Session with a sense of clarity, purpose and practical steps to move you forward.

There is no obligation to pursue further coaching after this session - but many people do!

 >>> Click here to apply for your complimentary coaching session. 

If you like this episode or the show in general, please take a few minutes to leave a review by clicking one of the links below.

Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏

>>> Click here to leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

>>> Click here to leave a rating on Spotify.

Show Links: 

• Article: How to Lead a Controlling Employee.
• Article: Build Empathy With the Iceberg Model.
• Article: Seeing Negative Behaviour Patterns? Here's How to Stop Them.
• Article: Power Dynamics: Are They Impacting Your Team?
• Article: Stakeholder Management Tips For the Everyday Leader.

Hopefully they can help you too!

I invite you to a complimentary Discovery Coaching Session, where we will:

• Get clear on your most important goals and what is most important to you
• Identify blockers and limiting beliefs that are holding you back; and
• Develop key actions you can take to move forward and make progress.

You will leave the Discovery Coaching Session with a sense of clarity, purpose and practical steps to move you forward.

There is no obligation to pursue further coaching after this session - but many people do!

 >>> Click here to apply for your complimentary coaching session. 

If you like this episode or the show in general, please take a few minutes to leave a review by clicking one of the links below.

Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏

>>> Click here to leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

>>> Click here to leave a rating on Spotify.

Show Links: 

• Article: 5 Thoughtful Resources to Help Your Leadership.
• Seth Godin: "Everyone is Doing Their Best".
• Article: 4 Ways Leaders Can Build Empathy in the Workplace (and Why It Matters).
• Article: Are You Too Busy to Lead Effectively?
• Nancy Kline: Time to Think.

There are many stereotypes we hear about younger generations.

They're lazy…. uncommitted…. have no loyalty. 

But are the younger generations actually just showing behaviours that can guide us towards better leadership?

In this episode, I take a look at some lessons I think we can learn from younger generations which can make our workplaces better.

If you like this episode or the show in general, please take a few minutes to leave a review by clicking one of the links below.

Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏

>>> Click here to leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

>>> Click here to leave a rating on Spotify.

I invite you to a complimentary Discovery Coaching Session, where we will:

• Get clear on your most important goals and what is most important to you
• Identify blockers and limiting beliefs that are holding you back; and
• Develop key actions you can take to move forward and make progress.

You will leave the Discovery Coaching Session with a sense of clarity, purpose and practical steps to move you forward.

There is no obligation to pursue further coaching after this session - but many people do!

 >>> Click here to apply for your complimentary coaching session. 

Show Links: 

• Article: 4 Leadership Lessons to Learn From Younger Generations.
• Article: Want to Build Empathy? Use the Iceberg Model.
• Leadership Model: Kouzes and Posner's Exemplary Leadership model.
• Article: Millennials – The Job-Hopping Generation.
• Article: American Institute of Stress – Are You Experiencing Workplace Stress?

Leaders don't set out to seem like they don't care. 

They become that way because of stressful work environments and chaotic workplaces. 

Even thoughtful leaders can seem uncaring if they aren't careful.

In this episode, I take a look at my top 5 innocent uncaring leadership actions, so you can look out for, and avoid them.

If you like this episode or the show in general, please take a few minutes to leave a review by clicking one of the links below.

Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏

>>> Click here to leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

>>> Click here to leave a rating on Spotify.

I invite you to a complimentary Discovery Coaching Session, where we will:

• Get clear on your most important goals and what is most important to you
• Identify blockers and limiting beliefs that are holding you back; and
• Develop key actions you can take to move forward and make progress.

You will leave the Discovery Coaching Session with a sense of clarity, purpose and practical steps to move you forward.

There is no obligation to pursue further coaching after this session - but many people do!

 >>> Click here to apply for your complimentary coaching session. 

Show Links: 

• Article: 5 Innocent Actions That Make You Seem Like An Uncaring Leader.
• Forbes: Discover the Top 5 Reasons Workers Want to Quit Their Jobs.
• Article: The Cult of Busyness: How Leaders Can Kill It.
• Podcast: Thoughtful Leader Podcast #130: How to Make Your 1 to 1 Meetings Better.
• Article: Why Leaders Don't Delegate (and How to Do It More).
• Article: 5 Ways to Say No Without Getting Fired.

Sometimes leaders can let their roles go to their heads, becoming wrapped-up in their own self-importance.

This can be a trap which even thoughtful leaders can fall into!

In this episode, I'll take a look at some common warning signs that you might be taking yourself a little too seriously, so you can lighten up a bit.

You never know, people might respect you more for it. 

If you like this episode or the show in general, please take a few minutes to leave a review by clicking one of the links below.

Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏

>>> Click here to leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

>>> Click here to leave a rating on Spotify.

I invite you to a complimentary Discovery Coaching Session, where we will:

• Get clear on your most important goals and what is most important to you
• Identify blockers and limiting beliefs that are holding you back; and
• Develop key actions you can take to move forward and make progress.

You will leave the Discovery Coaching Session with a sense of clarity, purpose and practical steps to move you forward.

There is no obligation to pursue further coaching after this session - but many people do!

 >>> Click here to apply for your complimentary coaching session. 

Show Links: 

• Article: Are You Taking Yourself Too Seriously?
• Book: The Art of Possibility.
• Video: Rule #6.
• Article: Is Your Ego Damaging Your Leadership?
• Article: Lessons Learnt From Career Burnout.
• Podcast: Thoughtful Leader Podcast #132: Would You Rather Be Liked or Respected?
• Podcast: Thoughtful Leader Podcast #78: Want to Feel More In Control of Your Team? Try Letting Go.

Tuckman's Team Development Model has been around for a while, but I find it to still be relevant and useful today.

Some people think that you can whack people together and become high-performing straight away.

This just ain't true, and this model helps to understand what stages a team goes through to get to that high-performing point.

In this episode, I'll take a look at the stages and how you can navigate them.

If you like this episode or the show in general, please take a few minutes to leave a review by clicking one of the links below.

Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏

>>> Click here to leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

>>> Click here to leave a rating on Spotify.

I invite you to a complimentary Discovery Coaching Session, where we will:

• Get clear on your most important goals and what is most important to you
• Identify blockers and limiting beliefs that are holding you back; and
• Develop key actions you can take to move forward and make progress.

You will leave the Discovery Coaching Session with a sense of clarity, purpose and practical steps to move you forward.

There is no obligation to pursue further coaching after this session - but many people do!

 >>> Click here to apply for your complimentary coaching session. 

Show Links:

• Article: The 5 Stages of Team Development.
• Article: Don't Have a Team Operating Model? Here's Why You Need One.
• Online Course: Team Accountability Builder Online Course.
• Article: Motivation at Work: Moving Your People Along the Motivation Spectrum.

It is fairly common knowledge now that providing people with more autonomy can drive big improvements in motivation.

However, it's not as easy as it sounds.

Sometimes providing your team with more autonomy is daunting and frustrating. 

In this episode, I take a look at some of the common traps and what we can do to avoid them.

If you like this episode or the show in general, please take a few minutes to leave a review by clicking one of the links below.

Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏

>>> Click here to leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

>>> Click here to leave a rating on Spotify.

I invite you to a complimentary Discovery Coaching Session, where we will:

• Get clear on your most important goals and what is most important to you
• Identify blockers and limiting beliefs that are holding you back; and
• Develop key actions you can take to move forward and make progress.

You will leave the Discovery Coaching Session with a sense of clarity, purpose and practical steps to move you forward.

There is no obligation to pursue further coaching after this session - but many people do!

 >>> Click here to apply for your complimentary coaching session. 

Show Links:

• Article: Struggling to Foster Autonomy In Your Team? Here's Why.
• Podcast: Thoughtful Leader Podcast #215: Why Autonomy Matters For Your People and How to Provide It.
• Article: Want to Build Empathy? Use the Iceberg Model.
• Article: Proactive vs Reactive Team Members: Make the Switch.
• Article: People Not Doing What You Want? Ask This Leadership Question.

Goal setting is very common in most organisations, but that doesn't mean it's done very well. 

If you get it right it can provide a big motivational boost, but when it goes wrong it can have the opposite effect. 

In this episode, I take a look at some tips to help you set more effective goals for your team.

If you like this episode or the show in general, please take a few minutes to leave a review by clicking one of the links below.

Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏

>>> Click here to leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

>>> Click here to leave a rating on Spotify.

I invite you to a complimentary Discovery Coaching Session, where we will:

• Get clear on your most important goals and what is most important to you
• Identify blockers and limiting beliefs that are holding you back; and
• Develop key actions you can take to move forward and make progress.

You will leave the Discovery Coaching Session with a sense of clarity, purpose and practical steps to move you forward.

There is no obligation to pursue further coaching after this session - but many people do!

 >>> Click here to apply for your complimentary coaching session. 

Show Links:

• Article: Setting Team Goals: Tips for Thoughtful Leaders.
• Book: 5 Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni.
• Book: Drive by Dan Pink.
• Podcast: Thoughtful Leader Podcat #165: How to Provide Development Opportunities For Your Team.
• Article: Want a Committed Team? Check These Factors.

Self-motivation is an important ingredient in the leadership puzzle. 

After all, we generally know how we should be leading. We've read the leadership books and listened to all the leadership podcasts. 

But it's hard to show up every day with a great attitude and feeling motivated.

That's why in this episode, I take a look at some self-motivation ideas to help you show up in the best way you can, more often.

If you're ready to improve your leadership situation, click the link to apply for your complimentary 30-minute discovery call: Apply Now.

Show Links: 

• Dan Goleman – Psychologist Daniel Goleman popularized the concept of Emotional Intelligence, essential for leadership.
• Emotional Intelligence has been shown to be one of the best predictors of leadership success – Harvard Business highlights EQ as key to effective and successful leadership.
• How to Manage Your Emotions For Better Leadership – Practical tips for leaders to manage emotions and handle stress constructively.
• Why You Need to Know Your Values In Leadership – Understanding core values guides leaders toward more authentic decision-making.
• Lead Better By Understanding Your Core Values – A podcast on aligning leadership actions with personal values to inspire authenticity.
• Values at INSEAD – INSEAD shows how core values enhance leadership effectiveness in its programs.
• Wellbeing at Work: How Leaders Can Support It – Strategies for leaders to promote well-being and balance in the workplace.
• Setting Team Goals: Tips for Thoughtful Leaders – Tips on creating clear, achievable team goals that motivate and align with vision.
• Writing down goals – Writing down goals boosts commitment, motivation, and follow-through.
• Hal Elrod's Miracle Morning – A morning routine guide aimed at boosting daily productivity and positivity.
• Waking Up – A meditation app by Sam Harris to help improve focus, self-awareness, and emotional health.
• Morning sunlight – Morning sunlight supports better sleep, mood, and overall health.
• Smiling and mood – Smiling, even when forced, can improve mood and reduce stress.

It's pretty common knowledge that recognising the contributions of your team can be a useful motivational tool.

Praise is a cost-effective way to do this, but sometimes I notice it falls flat.

In this episode, I take a look at some situations where praise becomes ineffective and how you might use it better. 

If you like this episode or the show in general, please take a few minutes to leave a review by clicking one of the links below.

Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏

>>> Click here to leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

>>> Click here to leave a rating on Spotify.

I invite you to a complimentary Discovery Coaching Session, where we will:

• Get clear on your most important goals and what is most important to you
• Identify blockers and limiting beliefs that are holding you back; and
• Develop key actions you can take to move forward and make progress.

You will leave the Discovery Coaching Session with a sense of clarity, purpose and practical steps to move you forward.

There is no obligation to pursue further coaching after this session - but many people do!

 >>> Click here to apply for your complimentary coaching session. 

Show Links:

• Article: Praising Employees Is Good – But Here's Why It Isn't Working
• Harvard Research: A Little Recognition Can Provide a Big Morale Boost.
• Article: 3 Ways That False Praise is Ruining Your Team.
• Article: Start Being Trustworthy For Your Team: Here's How.
• Article: 10 Simple & Effective Tips For Giving Feedback.

I think organisations could function more effectively if there were a few more direct conversations. 

But, as thoughtful leaders, direct conversations can be daunting, and we don't want to have them when they're not really needed or appropriate. 

In this episode, I look at some of the factors to help you decide whether a more direct conversation is the answer for your situation.

If you like this episode or the show in general, please take a few minutes to leave a review by clicking one of the links below.

Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏

>>> Click here to leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

>>> Click here to leave a rating on Spotify.

I invite you to a complimentary Discovery Coaching Session, where we will:

• Get clear on your most important goals and what is most important to you
• Identify blockers and limiting beliefs that are holding you back; and
• Develop key actions you can take to move forward and make progress.

You will leave the Discovery Coaching Session with a sense of clarity, purpose and practical steps to move you forward.

There is no obligation to pursue further coaching after this session - but many people do!

 >>> Click here to apply for your complimentary coaching session. 

Show Links: 

• Article: Should You Have a Direct Conversation? Try This Checklist.
• Article: Avoiding a Difficult Conversation? Ask Yourself These 3 Questions.
• Podcast: Thoughtful Leader Podcast #149: Steps to Break Negative Behaviour Patterns.
• Article: People Not Doing What You Want? Ask This Leadership Question.

Many leaders grapple with challenges that come with leading or working with people who they consider to be friends.

So that begs the question: should you be friends with your team members? Or should you try not to let that happen?

In this episode, I take a look at some of the challenges that can come from being friends with team members, and what you could potentially try to do about them.

If you like this episode or the show in general, please take a few minutes to leave a review by clicking one of the links below.

Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏

>>> Click here to leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

>>> Click here to leave a rating on Spotify.

I invite you to a complimentary Discovery Coaching Session, where we will:

• Get clear on your most important goals and what is most important to you
• Identify blockers and limiting beliefs that are holding you back; and
• Develop key actions you can take to move forward and make progress.

You will leave the Discovery Coaching Session with a sense of clarity, purpose and practical steps to move you forward.

There is no obligation to pursue further coaching after this session - but many people do!

 >>> Click here to apply for your complimentary coaching session. 

Show Links: 

• Article: Should You Be Friends With Your Employees?
• Gallup Article: The Increasing Importance of a Best Friend at Work.
• Article: Avoiding Groupthink.
• Podcast: Thoughtful Leader Podcast #132: Would You Rather Be Liked or Respected?
• Article: Why Even Good Leaders Can Show a Lack of Integrity.

I receive a lot of emails asking for advice about difficult or disruptive team members. 

While all of these situations have their intricacies and quirks, I reckon that underlying them all is a simple idea.

And this simple idea is the basis for a very useful leadership question that I like to ask people when they have these sorts of issues.

You can ask it too, so listen to this episode and let me know what you think.

If you like this episode or the show in general, please take a few minutes to leave a review by clicking one of the links below.

Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏

>>> Click here to leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

>>> Click here to leave a rating on Spotify.

I invite you to a complimentary Discovery Coaching Session, where we will:

• Get clear on your most important goals and what is most important to you
• Identify blockers and limiting beliefs that are holding you back; and
• Develop key actions you can take to move forward and make progress.

You will leave the Discovery Coaching Session with a sense of clarity, purpose and practical steps to move you forward.

There is no obligation to pursue further coaching after this session - but many people do!

 >>> Click here to apply for your complimentary coaching session. 

Show Links:

• Article: People Not Doing What You Want? Ask This Leadership Question.
• Podcast: Thoughtful Leader Podcast #149: Steps to Break Negative Behaviour Patterns.
• Article: Why Leaders Must Drive Consequences in the Workplace.
• Article: Power Dynamics: Are They Impacting Your Team?

Leaders often need to negotiate, even if they aren't involved in closing high-powered deals all the time.

We might negotiate a pay rise for ourselves or with our team members, negotiate for extra resources on a project or even when buying a used car. 

Whatever the negotiation situation, these 3 simple concepts will help you prepare and hopefully get a better outcome for you and the other party.

If you like this episode or the show in general, please take a few minutes to leave a review by clicking one of the links below.

Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏

>>> Click here to leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

>>> Click here to leave a rating on Spotify.

Show Links: 

• Article: 3 Useful Negotiation Concepts For the Everyday Leader.
• Article: How to Influence People to Achieve Your Leadership Goals.

Reading about leadership can be quite confusing. 

There are lots of leadership styles, theories and models out there, which can make it hard to gain a basic understanding of what it all means. 

So in this episode, I go back to basics with a simple 4-step process which covers what I believe are the core parts of leadership to concentrate on.

If you like this episode or the show in general, please take a few minutes to leave a review by clicking one of the links below.

Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏

>>> Click here to leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

>>> Click here to leave a rating on Spotify.

Show Links

• Article: Overwhelmed? Follow This Simple Leadership Process.
• Article: Leadership Weaknesses: Use Them to Lead Better.
• Article: How to Delegate Work to Improve Your Team.

Leadership used to be about command and control. 

Over time, it has become much more inclusive and collaborative. 

However, I feel that the quiet leaders among us still feel the pressure to be louder and more outgoing than they may naturally be. 

In this episode, I look at the benefits of quiet leadership and offer some tips for those quiet leaders out there.

I invite you to a complimentary Discovery Coaching Session, where we will:

• Get clear on your most important goals and what is most important to you
• Identify blockers and limiting beliefs that are holding you back; and
• Develop key actions you can take to move forward and make progress.

You will leave the Discovery Coaching Session with a sense of clarity, purpose and practical steps to move you forward.

There is no obligation to pursue further coaching after this session - but many people do!

 >>> Click here to apply for your complimentary coaching session. 

If you like this episode or the show in general, please take a few minutes to leave a review by clicking one of the links below.

Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏

>>> Click here to leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

>>> Click here to leave a rating on Spotify.

Show Links: 

• Article: 5 Tips For Quiet Leaders.
• Article: Introverted Leaders vs. Extroverted Leaders. Who Wins?
• Article: Brian Little – Free Traits.
• Podcast: Thoughtful Leader Podcast #28: Why Softly Spoken Leaders Make a Big Impact.
• Podcast: Thoughtful Leader Podcast #206: Lead Better By Understanding Your Core Values.
• Article: Why You Need to Speak Up at Work and Why You Don't.
• Article: Essential Daily Habits to Maintain Your Workplace Wellbeing.

Motivating team members is an ongoing challenge for leaders. 

Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all motivation solution because everyone is different.

In this episode, I cover three factors that you can use to try to motivate your people.

Hopefully you can use these as a guide to develop more specific strategies to help your people feel more engaged with the work that they do.

I invite you to a complimentary Discovery Coaching Session, where we will:

• Get clear on your most important goals and what is most important to you
• Identify blockers and limiting beliefs that are holding you back; and
• Develop key actions you can take to move forward and make progress.

You will leave the Discovery Coaching Session with a sense of clarity, purpose and practical steps to move you forward.

There is no obligation to pursue further coaching after this session - but many people do!

 >>> Click here to apply for your complimentary coaching session. 

If you like this episode or the show in general, please take a few minutes to leave a review by clicking one of the links below.

Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏

>>> Click here to leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

>>> Click here to leave a rating on Spotify.

Show Links: 

• Article: Motivate Your People Using These 3 Levers.
• Podcast: Thoughtful Leader Podcast #71: A Simple Model for Team Motivation.
• Article: Job Characteristics model.
• Book: "Drive", by Dan Pink.
• Article: 4 Ways to Provide Autonomy For Your People.
• Article: Risk & Reward: How to Provide Development Opportunities For Your Team.

Saying "No" is a superpower in leadership (and in life), in my opinion.

Many thoughtful leaders feel stressed at the prospect of pushing back or saying no, especially to someone like their own boss. 

This episode is a little encouragement for you to start saying "No" a little more often, so you can create space for the most important work and set a positive example for the people around you.

If you like this episode or the show in general, please take a few minutes to leave a review by clicking one of the links below.

Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏

>>> Click here to leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

>>> Click here to leave a rating on Spotify.

I invite you to a complimentary Discovery Coaching Session, where we will:

• Get clear on your most important goals and what is most important to you
• Identify blockers and limiting beliefs that are holding you back; and
• Develop key actions you can take to move forward and make progress.

You will leave the Discovery Coaching Session with a sense of clarity, purpose and practical steps to move you forward.

There is no obligation to pursue further coaching after this session - but many people do!

 >>> Click here to apply for your complimentary coaching session. 

Show Links:

• Article: 4 Great Things That Happen When You Start Saying No.
• Podcast: Thoughtful Leader Podcast #92: Struggling to Say No? Try These 5 Ways!
• Article: Too Many Priorities: What to Do When You're Asked to Do It All.
• Article: Do You Have a Victim Leadership Mentality?

Staff turnover is a natural part of life, even for excellent leaders.

Even so, it can have a big impact on the functioning of a team if we aren't careful. 

In this episode, I take a look at some ideas to help reduce the impact of turnover in your team, so that the wheels don't fall off when someone says goodbye.

If you like this episode or the show in general, please take a few minutes to leave a review by clicking one of the links below.

Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏

>>> Click here to leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

>>> Click here to leave a rating on Spotify.

I invite you to a complimentary Discovery Coaching Session, where we will:

• Get clear on your most important goals and what is most important to you
• Identify blockers and limiting beliefs that are holding you back; and
• Develop key actions you can take to move forward and make progress.

You will leave the Discovery Coaching Session with a sense of clarity, purpose and practical steps to move you forward.

There is no obligation to pursue further coaching after this session - but many people do!

 >>> Click here to apply for your complimentary coaching session. 

Show Links: 

• Article: 4 Ways to Reduce the Impact of Staff Turnover.
• Podcast: Thoughtful Leader Podcast #33: Employee Turnover: Why It's Good and When You Should Worry.
• Article: Process Mapping – Lucidchart.
• Article: Roles and Responsibilities Unclear? Do This.
• Article: How Leaders Can Improve Team Performance Through Cross Training.
• Podcast: Thoughtful Leader Podcast #64: Overwhelmed? Start Working at 80%.

The 4-day work week is becoming more popular these days, following several trials in various countries. 

There are a few characteristics of the 4-day work week which I find contribute to its success.

In this episode, I look at these characteristics and how we can apply them to any workplace, even if you aren't lucky enough to have a 4-day work week!

If you like this episode or the show in general, please take a few minutes to leave a review by clicking one of the links below.

Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏

>>> Click here to leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

>>> Click here to leave a rating on Spotify.

If you're interested in potentially working with me, I invite you to apply for a complimentary coaching call.

This can help you to: 

• Understand more about how I coach
• Make progress on some of your key challenges; and
• Decide whether we're a good fit to work together.

I can't coach everyone who applies, but if you don't try, we'll never know!

 >>> Click here to apply for your complimentary coaching session. 

Show Links: 

• ABC: 4-day work week study.
• How the working week originated.
• Too Many Priorities: What to Do When You're Asked to Do It All.
• How to Set Clear Priorities For Your Team.
• Thoughtful Leader Podcast #156: Let's Dismantle the Cult of Busyness.
• Thoughtful Leader Podcast #92: Struggling to Say No? Try These 5 Ways!
• 3 Major Work Time Wasters That Create an Unhappy Team.

In many respects, it's good to be a nice leader. 

But what happens if you're one of those leaders who is perceived as "too nice"?

In this episode, I take a look at some tips for nice leaders, to help to counter some of the common perceptions that can hold them back in the workplace. 

If you like this episode or the show in general, please take a few minutes to leave a review by clicking one of the links below.

Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏

>>> Click here to leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

>>> Click here to leave a rating on Spotify.

I invite you to a complimentary Discovery Coaching Session, where we will:

• Get clear on your most important goals and what is most important to you
• Identify blockers and limiting beliefs that are holding you back; and
• Develop key actions you can take to move forward and make progress.

You will leave the Discovery Coaching Session with a sense of clarity, purpose and practical steps to move you forward.

There is no obligation to pursue further coaching after this session - but many people do!

 >>> Click here to apply for your complimentary coaching session. 

Show Links: 

• Article: 4 Critical Considerations for "Nice" Leaders.
• Article: Struggling as a Kind Leader? Ask Yourself These 3 Questions.
• Article: Hiring People? Here Are 5 Essential Personality Traits to Watch Out For.
• Article: CNBC Interview With David Kawasaki.
• Article: Jacinda Ardern.
• Podcast: Thoughtful Leader Podcast #83: Handling Emotions in Leadership.
• Article: How to Manage Your Emotions For Better Leadership.

Feeling confident in your leadership role always makes leading a whole lot easier. 

So in this episode, I take a look at the four steps I believe are necessary to grow in confidence.

I share a few personal examples from my own journey in confidence-building, and hopefully you can view some of your challenges in a different light, and use these four steps to build your own confidence. 

If you like this episode or the show in general, please take a few minutes to leave a review by clicking one of the links below.

Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏

>>> Click here to leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

>>> Click here to leave a rating on Spotify.

I invite you to a complimentary Discovery Coaching Session, where we will:

• Get clear on your most important goals and what is most important to you
• Identify blockers and limiting beliefs that are holding you back; and
• Develop key actions you can take to move forward and make progress.

You will leave the Discovery Coaching Session with a sense of clarity, purpose and practical steps to move you forward.

There is no obligation to pursue further coaching after this session - but many people do!

 >>> Click here to apply for your complimentary coaching session. 

Show Links: 

• Article: 4 Critical Steps to Grow Your Confidence In Leadership.
• Podcast: Thoughtful Leader Podcast #90: Beating Leadership Imposter Syndrome.
• Article: Working For An Insecure Manager? Here's What to Do.
• Assessment Tools: DISC, PRINT, MBTI, Clifton's Strengths or Hogan.
• Article: Why You Need to Know Your Values In Leadership.
• Article: 5 Questions Confident Leaders Ask.
• Article: Leadership Confidence Problem? Let's Diagnose It.
• Podcast: Thoughtful Leader Podcast #56: Why Thoughtful Leaders Need the Most Confidence.
• Online Course: Leadership Confidence Online Course. (Discount ends June 30th 2023!)

Many people are looking for a quick fix for their time management challenges, in the form of tools and technologies. 

While these can be helpful for working more efficiently, nothing beats having the skills and mindset to actually set clear boundaries and become more effective. 

The only thing is… it's much harder, takes effort… and might even involve a few challenging conversations. 

In this episode, I take a look at the top 3 time management skills I think will *really* help you become more effective.

If you like this episode or the show in general, please take a few minutes to leave a review by clicking one of the links below.

Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏

>>> Click here to leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

>>> Click here to leave a rating on Spotify.

I invite you to a complimentary Discovery Coaching Session, where we will:

• Get clear on your most important goals and what is most important to you
• Identify blockers and limiting beliefs that are holding you back; and
• Develop key actions you can take to move forward and make progress.

You will leave the Discovery Coaching Session with a sense of clarity, purpose and practical steps to move you forward.

There is no obligation to pursue further coaching after this session - but many people do!

 >>> Click here to apply for your complimentary coaching session. 

Show Links: 

• Article: Forget the Tools, Master These Top 3 Time Management Skills.
• The Urgent-Important Matrix: How to Be More Productive at Work: A Simple Tool for Leaders.
• Article: How Better Time Management Will Help Your Team (Not just you!)
• Podcast: Thoughtful Leader Podcast #80: What to Do When You Have Too Many Priorities.
• Article: Why Leaders Must Push Back and Say "No".
• Podcast: Thoughtful Leader Podcast #18: How to Delegate to Improve Your Team.
• Podcast: Thoughtful Leader Podcast #105: Downsides of Delegation.

Communication skills are a hot topic in leadership, and are often one of the most sought-after skills for leaders. 

However, we don't usually dig much into what good communication means.

So in this episode, I thought I'd look into what it means (Thoughtful Leader style, that is) and how you bring it more often.

If you like this episode or the show in general, please take a few minutes to leave a review by clicking one of the links below.

Your review really helps me to reach a wider audience of thoughtful leaders, so we can improve workplaces around the world. I appreciate you taking the time! 🙏

>>> Click here to leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

>>> Click here to leave a rating on Spotify.

I invite you to a complimentary Discovery Coaching Session, where we will:

• Get clear on your most important goals and what is most important to you
• Identify blockers and limiting beliefs that are holding you back; and
• Develop key actions you can take to move forward and make progress.

You will leave the Discovery Coaching Session with a sense of clarity, purpose and practical steps to move you forward.

There is no obligation to pursue further coaching after this session - but many people do!

 >>> Click here to apply for your complimentary coaching session. 

Show Links: 

• Article: What Good Communication Means, and How to Do It.
• LinkedIn Learning Blog: Top Skills to Future Proof Your Career.
• Article: 5 Leadership Communication Principles to Help Your Team.
• Statista: Emails Sent Per Day Stats.
• Podcast: Thoughtful Leader Podcast #122: Suffering From a Communication Breakdown? Let's Fix It.
• Article: 5 Communication Skills Every Leader Needs.
• Podcast: Thoughtful Leader Podcast #35: How to Create Open Communication in Your Team.