NASA’s strategy, on a page
See how NASA’s vast, multi-decade mission could be captured on a single page using the Team Alignment Canvas. A case study that shows how even the most complex organisations can bring strategic clarity to life
Articles
Patagonia’s strategy, on a page
See how Patagonia’s strategy comes to life on a single page using the Team Alignment Canvas. A clear case study in purpose-led planning and strategic clarity
Why good managers don’t jump to conclusions
A common issue amongst managers is attribution bias. We all do it. This is where we judge others by their actions, and ourselves by our intentions. For example, if someone on our team fails to meet a deadline, we might default to thinking it’s because…
Fifty shades of leadership: Why strong leaders sit with the grey
A huge issue in management is falling into the trap of black and white thinking. What is it? It’s called splitting in psychology – when we fail to see the shades of grey in issues (and in ourselves), and instead view people and situations as…
Why real leadership means doing the right thing, even when it’s hard
“Leadership is doing the right thing, even when it hurts”. This is a quote I picked up from Scott Galloway recently. And I think it’s a good point. We’re so often faced with a choice – in leadership, as in life – between what’s convenient…
Authenticity matters more than doing leadership the way it’s always been done
When we enter management, we often feel we have to become what we can see. We tend to assume that leadership has to look a certain way. That it needs to be strong, unemotional, rigid and in control – because that’s how it’s so often…
Stop calling people lazy: A smarter way to understand poor performance
No one is lazy. Just disengaged. And the problem with labelling someone as lazy? We shut the door on the possibility they could ever be more than that. I used to be freewheeling – like terrible – in labelling people as lazy. That guy who…
Systemic sexism in the workplace: How male leaders can acknowledge and help address gender bias
Sexism is a complicated topic, both in organisations and society more generally. As a man, I’m interested in how male leaders approach the topic of sexism. And – more importantly – how we can be advocates for addressing the issue. I know I’ll never fully…
Shiny suits and gruff exteriors: Why executives and workers aren’t so different
“It’s all very ordinary once you get past the shiny suits and gruff exteriors”. I read that somewhere recently, though I can’t remember where. It was about celebrities (or maybe organised criminals 🤔😆). But the line stuck with me because it applies just as much…
The real cause of burnout: it’s not just working too much
Burnout is real. Burnout is tough. It’s the depressing feeling that descends on a Sunday night. The weariness that fills us when waking up before work. Most people have experienced episodes of this at points in their career. A few have experienced the pain of…
Why tough conversations aren’t harassment – and how to have them well
You can’t performance manage people anymore – you’ll just be accused of harassment. I’ve heard this so many times 🙄. And it’s just not true. So, why do people say this? I think some are genuinely misguided, but I think what many are really trying…
Daily Acts of Leadership: A simple tool to build stronger leaders every day
They’re here! Our Daily Acts of Leadership card decks are officially on sale 🥳🎉! Leadership isn’t just about the big moments. It’s shaped in the small, everyday actions that build trust, inspire others and create meaningful change. That’s exactly why we created this deck. Want…
The hard truth about managing people: It’s stressful, frustrating and not for everyone
Managing people is often annoying and exhausting. Our team members can confuse us, rub us the wrong way and disappoint us. This is genuinely frustrating and difficult to navigate at times. But it’s no excuse to drop our standards of respect and effectiveness as leaders.…
Why avoiding pain leads to more problems (and what to do instead)
Pain is inevitable. But what happens next is up to us. We can process it and grow. Or avoid it and watch it repeat. It’s inevitable that we experience painful moments, at work and in life. Pain is part of being human. Things go wrong:…
Would you work for a tobacco company? The ethics of choosing an employer
Would you work for a tobacco company? A gambling giant? A payday lender? Is it ok to do work for any organisation? Would you offer your time, effort and intelligence – whether as an employee or a consultant – to any kind or organisation, involved…
Sonder and leadership: The one mindset shift that changes everything
Here’s a word for something we all know, but rarely articulate: sonder. American writer John Koenig published an ambitious book in 2012, ‘The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows’. It’s an amazing project: he set about creating new words to describe complex emotions that lack a precise…
Are corporations bad? Exploring the role of leadership in shaping organisational impact
Are corporations inherently harmful, or are they simply reflections of the leaders who run them? It’s increasingly fashionable – particularly on the political fringes – to dismiss corporations as inherently harmful: exploitative, profit-driven and destructive to society. But I don’t think there’s anything inherently wrong…
Why good managers don’t need to be perfect
To be a good manager – or just a good person – doesn’t mean we need to be perfect. Being a good manager simply means that when we make mistakes, we: Nobody is perfect. To be imperfect is to be human. And striving for perfection…
Behind the scenes: Launching our first physical product, the Daily Acts of Leadership cards
I felt a mix of anxiety and excitement as Joel carefully cut open the carton on my dining room table yesterday. Inside was the final piece of something we’ve been working on for months: our first ever physical product, the Daily Acts of Leadership card…
Leadership with a beat: Impact Society’s 2024 Mixtape Volume 1
Leadership might be serious business, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t enjoy ourselves along the way. So often, management and leadership content and advice is as dry as it is out of date and out of touch. We’re trying to change that in many…