“Managing up is making it easier for your manager to support you in doing great work.“ - Kellan Elliot-McCrea

As I collaborate with @seokhian on a cross-border project (excited!), I had the privilege to be coached by her on managing up. After our session, I realized that many of my past difficulties with former bosses were more about my approach than theirs. While relationships often started well, they eventually deteriorated, and I saw I was part of the problem.

Are you laying the groundwork now to hit the new year running?

A mentor once told me that the secret to a breakthrough year is to lay the foundation early. Now is the time to set yourself up for a remarkable 2025 by creating momentum before the new year even arrives

Recently, I had the privilege of being appointed as a trainer and coach by an independent digital agency, where I worked with their middle managers to empower them in their critical role of driving organizational success. In fact, this memorable quote came from one of the participants when he reflected on his vital role.

"Anyone can work hard when they feel motivated. It's the ability to keep going when work isn't exciting that makes the difference." - James Clear, author of Atomic Habits.

This simple truth speaks to the core of success: CONSISTENCY. Motivation is fleeting; it can drive you in the short term but will inevitably fade. What sets high achievers apart is their ability to embrace the monotony of daily effort - because real progress often comes from showing up when it's dull.

I recently had the privilege of conducting a leadership workshop for mid-level managers from a major media agency network. While I enjoy connecting with participants and delivering the content I’ve spent weeks preparing, I also look forward to learning from them. This time, I discovered the concept of 'tough love in leadership.'

Escape games are a fun way to teach essential leadership skills like teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and time management.

In today’s fast-paced and unpredictable VUCA world, problem-solving is a vital leadership skill. Many leaders fail to realize they don't need all the answers.

In today’s uncertain world, a values-driven leader is like a lighthouse in a storm.

Values provide clarity and direction amidst turbulence, preventing leaders from reacting impulsively or slipping into autopilot mode. This is the essence of value-based leadership, and it's more important now than ever in our VUCA environment.

In my previous post, I introduced The Four Quadrants of Emotional Intelligence (EQ). EQ can be developed just like any other skill. Here’s how to enhance your EQ as a leader.

We all know someone who seems to lack emotional intelligence (EQ), but what exactly are the signs?

As leaders, understanding and managing our mental state is crucial for effective decision-making and guiding our teams to success.

Leaders are humans too, and need immediate acknowledgement to know that we’re on the right path.

The problem is that it’s not as simple to measure success in leadership. Unlike games with clear rules and defined endpoints, the pursuit of impactful leadership is an infinite game.

Overthinking is part of the human experience, but when left unchecked, it can take a toll on our mental well-being. As a person recovering from it, here's the one thing I’ve learned that has centred me.

Getting 80% done is better than 100%? This idea might seem counterintuitive to progress but there is some wisdom behind this mantra.🦉

You see, the pursuit for 100% often leads to delays, burnout, and even missed opportunities. In contrast, focusing on reaching the 80% mark acknowledges the diminishing returns associated with achieving absolute perfection.

When it comes to building strong relationships, rapport matters. Here’s a simple framework to build instant rapport.

What is rapport? Rapport is simply defined as having a good understanding of someone and the ability to communicate well with them. It usually involves mutual respect, trust, and empathy.

Here’s how a simple idea has improved my self-confidence overtime: Keeping promises made to ourselves. 💪

How it looks like on a day-to-day:
In my case, if I tell myself that I’ll go for a jog today, even if it’s only for 10 minutes I’ll do it no matter what. If I promise to wake up an hour earlier, I’ll do my best not to hit the snooze button (OK, maybe I’ll hit it once).

John C. Maxwell said, “Momentum solves 80% of your problems.” Here’s how to build momentum. 🚀

If you’re leading a team, you would know that momentum is your best friend. When you don't have it, everything seems difficult. Momentum is the force that will propel you to success.

Stage plays vs films: What’s the difference?

🎭 Given their limited proximity, stage plays often emphasise heightened expressions to ensure visibility and impact for the audience. Plots in stage plays are generally simpler as immediate and continuous engagement is required. Also, it needs to regard practical considerations such as limited sets and swift scene changes.

🛠️ When developing aspiring leaders in your organisation, consider the 4Es of leadership development (Environment, Equipping, Exposure, and Execution); a framework that offers a holistic approach to nurturing leadership skills.