Everyone is in the team

October 26, 2022

When you create a high performance car every tiny screw and nut is there for a purpose, when one goes missing the car may continue to function for a while, but eventually something is going to go wrong.  In the same way, it doesn’t matter how senior or junior a team member’s position may be, … Read more

Firing up Britain’s smart potential

October 12, 2022

There’s so much doom and gloom about, whether it’s the economic crisis, the government’s decision making – or even the weather, and what other nation spends so much time talking about that?  It’s time to look at something more positive – the untapped potential we have in our population. Getting a business off the ground … Read more

World class climbing

September 28, 2022

I have just spent a day visiting two of the companies that I am involved with.  In one company I led the team through a substantial turnaround before appointing a new CEO and stepping back into the role of executive chairman. The CEO has developed and led the new team and taken the business forward … Read more

Walk the talk

September 13, 2022

This term is often heard in relation to leaders, but it goes far beyond a leader who stands behind their ideals.  A company has a brand and identity and everything they do and say at every level influences what the outside world thinks of the company. That includes individual team members. When the Ocean 5 … Read more

What do you call fun?

August 25, 2022

Work should be fun.  But my idea of fun might not be the same as yours. I love my work and split my time between several companies.  If I’m not visiting them, I’m working at home in my office – often until late into the evening.  I keep intending to slow down, but I enjoy … Read more

A little thing called ‘trust’

August 2, 2022

Trust is critical within any successful team.  How does trust grow in a working team? The simple answer is that it is built through clarity, honesty and openness.  It’s reinforced through shared values, which are essential for creating a team culture of shared responsibility that can deal with whatever is thrown at it. Honest communication … Read more

How good could your business be?

July 19, 2022

Most leaders find themselves in the position, at some point, of thinking ‘we could do better’. In some cases, the organisation may have even arrived at a point where it needs bold decisions and fast action to survive. As a leader this will test your ability, your courage, your integrity and your commitment to the … Read more

It’s all about the customer

July 5, 2022

Building a world class organisation is exciting.  The leader’s role is to generate that excitement and inspire the team to share the journey to an extraordinary future. That’s a key ability for a leader – to share a vision and inspire the team to action.  When people understand the what and the why of success, … Read more

10 words that changed our world

June 15, 2022

If you’ve been following my adventures, you’ll know that back in 2020/21 I was part of a 5-man team of rowers that tackled the daunting task of rowing – unsupported – across the Atlantic. We spent three years preparing for this adventure, because we knew that, to succeed, we needed to know what we were … Read more

How to eliminate whinges

May 15, 2022

Every company has someone – sometimes several someones – who grumble about how the organisation does things.  Sometimes the complaints have a basis in reality and there are operational habits that are not productive. An inspiring leader doesn’t pretend they don’t exist.  To create an inspired organisation the issues raised must be dealt with – … Read more