the word is leadership

In this milestone 75th episode I explain how the concept of "macrophysics" can transform your leadership approach. Too many high achievers struggle in leadership positions because they focus too much on doing rather than enabling others. The solution? Adopt a physicist's mindset to see the forest, not just the trees. Discover the Three Habits of Extraordinary Leaders I introduce three powerful hab...

In this episode I offer you a framework for managing difficult relationships at work. On my birthday week the dictionary gave me by a gift – the random word goblin – and I know a thing or two about Goblins, given some of my clients call me "Gobi the goblin" (affectionately I a told). In this episode I tackle a universal workplace challenge - dealing with those difficult personalities who seem supe...

What if the secret to transformative leadership lied in a single concept? In this episode of The Word is Leadership, I dissect the multifaceted idea of “charter” – far beyond its dry legal definitions – to reveal three frameworks every leader needs. Ditching generic mission statements, the episode redefines organisational success through external, internal, and personal charters. The external char...

What if the key to transformative leadership lies in a barrel of fermenting wine? In this week’s episode of The Word Is Leadership, I uncork a surprising metaphor for organisational innovation: the science and art of fermentation. Drawing on Burgundian winemaking traditions and a revealing conversation with a South African master maker, the episode dissects how leaders can cultivate environments w...

In Episode 71 of The Word is Leadership, I serve up a steaming blend of wisdom and practical strategies to energise your team inspired by this week’s random word: espresso. Drawing on my nostalgic mornings in French cafés, I show you how intentional rituals can ignite focus, connection, and innovation in your daily routine. This isn’t just about caffeine; it’s about crafting moments that sharpen y...

In this milestone 70th episode of The Word is Leadership I am faced with the random word simple - a concept every leader champions but rarely masters. I argue that far from superficial; simplicity emerges as a strategic balancing act between subtraction and coherence, dissected through analogies that reframe how we tackle complexity. The episode begins by untangling “complicated” from “complex”: a...

In what I hope is another thought-provoking episode of The Word is Leadership, I challenge leaders to combat institutional amnesia by rediscovering their organisation’s founding purpose. The discussion centres on the organisational flip law – the tendency for companies to transition from being “a purpose in search of assets” to “assets in search of purpose” as they grow. This shift creates bureauc...

In this episode of "The Word is Leadership," I explore the implications of our random word "empty" for leaders. I share three key insights to challenge conventional leadership wisdom: The Empty Generalist Do leaders need to be experts in everything? I argue that credibility stems not from encyclopaedic knowledge, but from your ability to: • Codify your experience • Articulate expertise in broader...

Discover the secret to breaking free from your career jam in this week's episode of "The Word is Leadership"! Are you feeling stuck in your professional life? Do you wonder why you're not getting that promotion you deserve? In this week’s episode I discuss the concept of being "jammed" in your career and offer insights on how to escape this all-too-common predicament. Highlights of this episode: U...

This week on The Word is Leadership, we explore the word “Optic” and how it connects to the idea of vision and focus in leadership. While “visionary leadership” is often romanticised as the ability to foresee the future, this episode argues that focusing on clarity, culture, and climate - the Three Cs - can deliver far more tangible results than the often elusive notion of vision. Our word, optic,...

This week on The Word is Leadership, our random the word is “Artificial” which leads me to talk about artificial intelligence (AI). However, instead of adding to the noise, this episode focuses on the four key questions leaders must ask before engaging with AI AI is not magic—it’s made by humans, trained by humans, and marketed by humans. Leaders must critically ask: “Who designed this AI and for...

In this week’s episode of The Word is Leadership, I use the metaphor of an hourglass to reframe how leaders approach career development. When planning your career trajectory, the hourglass provides a unique lens for gaining clarity and momentum. Leaders often view their careers as a funnel, narrowing with specialisation and limiting opportunities. However, a career is better understood as an hourg...

In this week’s episode of The Word is Leadership, we explore the word "Constellation" and what it means for leadership. Just as stars exist within a larger system and context, leadership operates across three interconnected units: the individual leader, the team, and the organization. Understanding the dynamic interplay between these levels is essential for intentional and effective leadership. 1....

In this episode of The Word is Leadership, we explore the word "Carnage," using its more colloquial sense of “total disaster” to discuss how leaders can rebuild after major failures. Whether stepping into a role amidst chaos or managing through a significant organizational breakdown, every leader will face a moment when they must recover from carnage. So, how do you rebuild? This episode gives me...

In this episode of The Word is Leadership, we explore the word “Peace”. Peace doesn’t have to be the absence of conflict, it can also suggest a state of harmony, where conflict can exist but be managed constructively. As leaders, embracing "peaceful conflict" enables growth, creativity, and stronger relationships. To navigate conflict effectively, I offer a practical series of questions to ensure...

In this episode of The Word is Leadership, we explore the word “Composition” and its implications for leadership. Rather than focusing on legacy or vision, which can feel abstract and out of reach, we’re asking a simpler, yet profound question: What will your impact be? Using the definition ‘composition’ I identify two key themes: The first is composition as the act of bringing together elements t...

In this week’s episode of The Word is Leadership, we explore the word “Fever” and its implications in leadership and organisational health. Just as a fever is both a warning that something is wrong and a reassurance that our body is fighting it, the same can be said for our organisations - knowing when things are heating up can be both a red flag as well as a sign that the system is working hard t...

In this week’s episode of The Word is Leadership, we dissect the verb "quell" and its implications in leadership scenarios. We explore the dual aspects of this powerful verb: suppressing rebellion and alleviating pain or grief, both of which are essential skills in a leader’s toolkit. We discuss how rebellion, while overtly disruptive, is charged with the energy of change and can be redirected con...

In this episode of The Word is Leadership, I look for lessons in the ancient role of the Skald, or bard, and draw parallels to modern leadership. Our journey brings us to understand how these figures weren't just entertainers but crucial historians and advisors who used the power of words to influence courts and leaders. This leads me to ask: should leaders today embrace the poet within? The episo...

In this episode of The Word is Leadership, we unpack the concept of “Handle” and its deeper connections to leadership. A handle allows us to move, use, and pick up an object, but how does this apply to leading people and organisations? We explore three key ways this metaphor illuminates the leader's role. First, we discuss how leaders “move” things—whether it’s managing resources or emotionally in...

In this episode of The Word is Leadership, we explore the metaphor of “Cruise” as it applies to leadership and career development. Is your career a crossing - a direct path with a clear destination - or a cruise, where the journey itself is filled with meaningful stops along the way? We discuss the psychology of both approaches. A crossing focuses on reaching a destination quickly and efficiently,...

This week on The Word is Leadership, we explore the significance of small, often overlooked elements in leadership, symbolised by the word of the week—Radicel, a small root. Just as radicels are crucial for sustaining a tree, it is small things in an organisation that are often what keep it thriving. I discuss the “radicel conundrum” faced by many leaders. Ignore the small things and they can beco...

In this week's episode of The Word is Leadership, we're diving into the multifaceted concept of ‘Journal’. What does it mean to be a leader who not only reports but reflects, analyses, and learns? Discover how the simple act of journaling can transform your leadership approach—from being a reporter who clarifies the "what" and "why," to an analyst who connects actions to values, and even a mirror...

Welcome to the first episode of the second season of ‘The Word is Leadership’. I hope you had a chance to recharge over the break. If you’re new here, you can catch up on season one by listening to previous episodes or checking out our eBooks and paperback on Amazon ( https://amzn.to/3DlzlKv ). Today, the word is "bostryx," a botanical term for a type of cymose inflorescence and, honestly, I have...