Katie's Leadership Lounge

Tackling a challenge can feel overwhelming, but the key is to start right and stay the course. In this short episode, I share a simple yet powerful four-step framework: (1) Understand the issue, (2) Ask questions, (3) Start small, and (4) Keep going. It’s about clarity, curiosity, and the grit to see things through. A short and practical listen for leaders in the thick of it! Links and Resources 5...

What happens when staff are afraid to speak up? Healthcare teams struggle with stress, turnover, and burnout—but when psychological safety is strong, collaboration, learning, and performance thrive. In this episode, we break down what psychological safety is, the stories of where it started and the impacts when you have it, and what happens when you don’t. We look at why hierarchy and fear hold te...

Healthcare leaders are being asked to do the impossible. So, how do we make the work achievable ? In this episode, we talk about the courage it takes to prioritise, the role of risk conversations in setting boundaries, and how tools like FMEA and Cal Newport’s ideas in Slow Productivity can help us work differently. I also revisit the ‘big rocks’ allegory and why health—our own and our teams’—must...

Your environment influences more than just your workflow—it affects how you feel, how you lead, and even how others perceive you. Rabbit holes aside, an organised and decluttered workspace helps your focus and reduces frustration. Taking some of the hard work of what is often hard work. In short, your workspace isn’t just where you work—it’s how you work. In this episode, I’m sharing ideas and sto...

Frustration, burnout, feeling like something is off —these emotions don’t just come from the workload or the people around us. Often, they’re a signal of a deeper misalignment with our core values. If you don’t have clarity on what truly matters to you, decision-making becomes harder, confidence wavers, and tough situations feel even heavier. In this episode, I explore how understanding your value...

Links and Resources Are you there yet? Developing a Growth Mindset The Infinite Game - Simon Sinek Stephen Covey - Urgent versus Important time matrix Patrick Lencioni and The 5 Dysfunctions of a Team A collection of Trust The Libby App for audiobooks 5 qualities of high-impact healthcare leaders Got a topic you want the lounge to explore let me know here .  Let’s connect on LinkedIn

Links and Resources Inspiration as a physiological construct . Todd M Thrash and Andrew J Elliot Ken Robinson TED talk : Do Schools Kill Creativity Grit, Purpose and Hope Angela Duckwork Keep Going, You’re Doing Great Simon Sinek Start with Wh y TED talk Martin Seligman Brene Brown and The Power of Vulnerability

Links and resources 5 qualities of high-impact healthcare leaders Gratitude Practice Guide  When was the last time anyone said ‘thank you’ to you Tracking those goals Showing up and finding a bright spot

Links and Resources Introduction to the SCARF model Another day of meetings (using the SCARF model to review your calendar - a challenging leadership activity). The SCARF model of engagement Unleash the Power of the SCARF Model for Effective Leadership and Coaching Examining the engagement of health services staff in change management: modifying the SCARF assessment model SCARF in 2012 5 qualities...

Links and Resources Eddie Izzard and the best-laid plans of Mice and Men Helen Bevan sharing how to adapt SMART goals Alicia McKay - a fresh take on SMART goals 2025 Bingo Card Susannah Conway and Find Your Word 2025 Got a topic you want the lounge to explore let me know here .  Sign up for the No Jedi email here   Let’s connect on Linkedin  or if Facebook is more you, join me in th...

Links and Resources Download your reflect, refine and reimagine workbook here Register for free for the online end-of-year session with the Emotional Culture Deck Getting started with reflection as a healthcare leader . Wrapping up the year Chewing the cud and getting stuck in rumination The Infinite Game by Simon Sinek I’m still here on Instagram with the December Reflections Got a topic you want...

Speak to yourself like you’d speak to a friend. It’s easy to look around at the world’s struggles and feel guilty for your own. That’s what I was doing, and I was going in a downward spiral until I was pausing and reminding myself of the advice I give to others. It’s easy to look around at the world’s struggles and feel guilty for your own. In this raw and vulnerable episode, I share a recent expe...

This episode explores the role of open, diverse, and deep connections in gaining perspective, sustaining resilience, breaking silos, and unlocking joy during challenging times. Hear how a simple phone call helped me shift from spiralling to succeeding and why generosity—not self-interest—should drive your network-building efforts.

Links and resources 5 qualities of high-impact healthcare leaders The beginner’s guide to vertical development Adeption Nick Petrie Developing talent: You’re probably missing vertical development Building your network as a healthcare leader Getting started with reflection as a healthcare leader Let’s connect on Linkedin  or if Facebook is more you, join me in the Healthcare Leadership Hub Mee...

Links and Resources: Gratitude Practice Guide  Meet me on Instagram Let’s connect on Linkedin   or if Facebook is more you, join me in the Healthcare Leadership Hub Grit, Purpose and Hope

This week I’m sharing Stephen Covey’s Circle of Concern, Influence, and Control, focusing on practical ways to shift from worry to action. I’ll share some personal insights and simple, actionable ideas—like practising self-compassion, staying present, setting meaningful goals, and adopting a growth mindset—to help us feel more focused, empowered, and ready to make progress. Links and Resources Det...

In this episode, I’m looking at the challenges and strengths of working across generations in healthcare today. From the experienced perspectives of Gen X leaders to the fresh approaches of younger healthcare professionals, the workplace has never been more diverse—or more dynamic. So yes, frustrations and learning moments arise from different attitudes towards work-life boundaries, commitment, an...

Links and Resources 5 qualities of high-impact healthcare leaders Help me I’m overwhelmed The Healthy Mind Platter Wheel of Life from Tuhi Stationar y as part of thier planning tools collection Register for the Spark and Support Webinar Let’s connect on Linkedin  or if Facebook is more your thing, join me in the Healthcare Leadership Hub Interested in coaching with me - find out more here

This week, we unpack the concept of "Sharpening the Saw" from The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People , applying it to leadership renewal. Explore Stephen Covey’s four pillars—mental, physical, spiritual, and social—and how they play a critical role in sustaining leadership performance. From organizing your mental space to discovering what inspires you, this episode is packed with ideas to keep yo...

When someone comes to you with a problem, it’s easy to dive in and fix it. But what if, instead, you coached them through the solution? In this episode, we’ll talk about how to shift from solving to developing. Consider how to shift your mindset from being the problem solver to the coach. The episode discusses techniques to assess the urgency of tasks and make informed decisions about when to dele...

Change is constant and we all know that, yet leading and change in healthcare is still a big challenge. Honest talking, ideas and perspective on change in this week's episode of the Leadership Lounge. Links and Resources 5 tips for managing change in the workforce Change management models Tim Ferris and Fear Setting Storytelling for Change from Acumen The Long Time Academy Register for the Spark a...

Build trust and empower your team Support your mind, body and spirit Boost your creativity and let your mind wander into something new and amazing Rest. You don’t have to earn it or prove you deserve it. You are entitled to rest because you are a human being (not a human doing).  Links and Resources   5 qualities of high-impact healthcare leaders How taking a vacation improves your wellb...

“The quality of our reading stands as an index to the quality of our thought” Maryanne Wolf, cognitive scientist.  The evidence is out for why reading fiction supports you as a leader, developing capacities and capabilities that will support you with the challenges and context of healthcare right now.  Increasing understanding and building empathy Build your emotional capacity  Enha...

You want to be credible, confident, and clear, yet you also need to be honest and open. If your job is on the line, or you are not sure what will happen next it’s hard to hold both of those. Your fears and worries will show through your words, your tone and how you hold yourself. Don’t be fooled into thinking you can hide it. Equally don’t think that your teams don’t know what’s going on. Show the...

Spring is in the air and I got to wondering if leadership has seasons. And of course, we have seasons as leaders, time for high energy full on summer and times of more reflective and considerate winter. What does this mean for you, your team and the organisation you’re in? What season are you in right now?  I get into the gardening theme and think about how we create the environment for growt...