February - 2022

Feb 23
2 min

Power, love and change [WISE WEDNESDAYS]

It’s easy to see power and love as antithetical to each other. You might have an instinctive reaction to one or the other word. [Read on or try this 1 min video] Power has often been abused in human history escalating into oppression; while love can become placid and weak in relationships devolving into people-pleasing subordination. Great leaders are aware of these pitfalls. “Power without love is reckless and abusive, and love without power is sentimental and anemic. Pow

Feb 16
4 min

Let go of misplaced guilt and move forward in your career [Wise Wednesdays]

When you’re claiming your freedom to the career and life that you truly want (and stepping into a level of leadership and impact that is yours to create in this life), you will feel two things: fire and guilt. Why the guilt? Well, allow me to share from my experience. When I started to change my career I felt guilty for: 1) A sense that I’m disrespecting the sacrifices my family have made for me (with no guarantee of success in my new path) 2) A feeling that I’m damagin

Feb 9
4 min

How are your boundaries? [Wise Wednesdays]

Boundaries, boundaries. We tend to think of them as a self-protective thing. Yet, there is nothing more conducive to healthy relationships and a strong social fabric than the ability to put a loving and honest boundary in place. A boundary gives clear information about your needs and gives others a chance to meet you and also have their own. If done well, we learn to live together a little better and more happily. But we often resist setting boundaries out of fear of being re

Feb 2
3 min

Have you become too serious with the pandemic? [Wise Wednesdays]

Have you noticed that being energised feels a little more challenging than usual this January? Perhaps you have great ideas but feel a little sluggish? Me thinking about "goals" I was talking with a client last week who, over the past three years, has transitioned from a director role in a global organisation to being an independent consultant in sustainable food policy. Her project roster is pretty full – a blessing and a challenge - and she’s getting to the point where she

Feb 1
3 min

How imposter fear helped me (and then didn’t) [Wise Wednesdays]

My good friend James is a lead scientist at the US National Center for Atmospheric Research. They’re the first to get warnings of catastrophic weather events. It’s a high pressure environment and tough psychologically. But like any frontline scientist or clinician you have to be detached. Not everyone can or even wants do this work. Some of his top performing colleagues left to do completely different jobs even though they loved the work – they burned out. I asked him what he

Feb 1
3 min

Time is a construct: shift into a possibility mindset [Wise Wednesdays]

Time needs more love. We talk about it, plan it, measure it and make judgements about whether we have enough or not. We think we can control it somehow. But it wasn’t always like that. Our ancestors looked to the seasons to organise their work and functioned beautifully without knowing exactly what hour of the day it was or which year they were born. When I was at school, we’d write down both solar and lunar year dates on the blackboard. It turns out about 40 calendars remain

Feb 1
2 min

The true wisdom of guilt and procrastination [Wise Wednesdays]

Reflecting on coaching conversations this past month brought me to a conclusion: we believe in guilt too much. Guilt says: You should be doing more/better/faster. What you’re doing is not enough! And while sometimes that’s true… …most of the time it’s not. Distinguishing which one is wisdom. But there’s a catch 22… To discern the true message behind guilt, you need to take time to slow down and reflect on it. But then you feel guilty for taking time and d

Feb 1
4 min

Why your present predicts your past (and therefore your future) [Wise Wednesdays]

Do you sometimes feel like you’re a problem-solving machine? Whatever problem life throws at you, you get your teeth stuck right in there and gnaw relentlessly until it’s solved? Perhaps you’re like a serial killer of problems… When people called me “intense” I knew exactly what they meant. I could stay focused on one thing for hours if not days or more. I wouldn’t give up until there was a resolution, whether it was a maths problem, an argument or a holiday dilemma. But you

Feb 1
2 min

Why your ‘weirdness’ is a gift [Wise Wednesdays]

Why your ‘weirdness’ is a gift [Wise Wednesdays] If you have a slightly unusual background, you might feel like a perpetual outsider. And that’s actually an asset to groups you’re part of. Change comes from diversity. So one thing I'm proud of in 2021 is owning my weird. Last Friday, I found myself in a traditional British pub, talking spirituality and personal development with others who are equally passionate about those things - and it felt like home. But thinking back t

Feb 1
4 min

How to know when to speak up: 5 questions to check in with yourself [Wise Wednesdays]

Ram Dass once said: You think you’re enlightened? Go spend a week with your family!... Whether it’s colleagues, teams or family, communication can be tricky even if you’re super self-aware. Developing strong communication that helps you share your ideas, reduce conflict and lead your career and life in a way that feels fulfilling is worthwhile work indeed. In fact, the Buddha made it one of his core teachings alongside meditation. And the holiday season is perfect for expandi

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