We often talk about dementia as though it is something that arrives suddenly in later life. In reality, brain health is shaped over decades by how we live, learn, connect and stay engaged. Education matters, but not only in the formal sense. A brain that keeps learning, solving, adapting and interacting is a brain that [...]
Why the move out of work needs to be a move into purpose, challenge and connection When people think about preparing for retirement, they usually focus on money, timing and lifestyle. Will we have enough? Where will we live? What will we do with our time? Far fewer people ask a quieter but equally [...]
One of the most useful leadership ideas to emerge from the military over the past century is the concept known as Commander’s Intent. While the phrase originates from military doctrine, the principle behind it has enormous relevance for modern organisations, particularly those operating in complex, fast-moving environments. At its core, Commander’s Intent is about clarity. [...]
For many professionals, the most uncomfortable part of a career transition isn’t uncertainty — it’s networking. Particularly for people in mid- to late-career, networking can feel artificial, self-promotional, or misaligned with how they’ve built their reputation over decades. Many have never needed to “network” in a formal sense; their roles came through performance, reputation, and [...]
There was a time when building your network meant building it inside one organisation. If you stayed long enough, worked hard enough, and built the right internal relationships, promotion followed. Your future sat within the walls of your employer. That world has changed. Today, job tenure is shorter. Restructures are common. Industries evolve rapidly. Loyalty [...]
The Hidden Source of Stress in Modern Leadership We have all heard the humourous lines about stress. One suggests that the greatest source of stress is other people not doing or thinking what we believe they should. Another describes stress as that moment when the mind overcomes the body’s desire to strangle someone who desperately [...]
Most people prepare for interviews by rehearsing behavioural stories. These “Tell me about a time when…” questions still matter, but they’re only one part of the picture. In reality, strong interviewers use three broad types of questions, each designed to uncover a different dimension of capability: behaviour, approach, and insight. Understanding these three categories helps [...]
Most leaders spend a lot of time thinking about capability: skills, systems, structures, KPIs. But one of the most powerful forces shaping performance isn’t a process at all — it’s the leader’s expectations. This is the Rosenthal Effect, also known as the Pygmalion Effect: the idea that people tend to rise (or fall) to the [...]
Ask someone what their personal brand is and the answer is often a job title. “I’m a project manager.” “I’m a lawyer.” “I’m a consultant.” That’s understandable—but it misses the point. What you do is not your brand. Your brand is the outcomes you consistently create, regardless of role, industry, or context. Jobs change. Titles [...]
Have you ever found yourself in a conversation, receiving and email, or getting a notification — personal or professional — where something just hits you the wrong way? Maybe it’s a tone of voice, a perceived criticism, or a seemingly innocent comment that feels like a jab. Before you know it, you’re triggered. You feel [...]
Dr Susan Roberts says: