Show One, Watch One, Do One – How to Build Capability Fast
Most agency leaders know they should delegate more. But many don’t know how to do it without losing control, slowing things down, or feeling like they’re setting someone up to fail. Here’s a simple model I often share with leaders looking to grow their team’s confidence and capability: Show one….
The beta version beats the bottleneck
If you’re waiting for the perfect version of your agency’s next big internal process before you roll it out, you’re likely waiting too long. This is a pattern I see time and again in agency leadership conversations: a brilliant new way of doing things gets scoped, scoped again, drafted, redrafted,…
Over-servicing is self-sabotage: how to change the culture
Most agency teams are overworked. But worse than that — they’re over-giving. Over-servicing doesn’t just erode profit margins. It chips away at morale, motivation and, ultimately, people’s sense of ownership. Why? Because when your team can’t see the cost of their generosity, they don’t realise they’re giving away their own bonuses, bandwidth…
Get excited. Here’s how to reframe nerves…
We’ve all felt it — that rush before a big moment. The sweaty palms. The racing thoughts. The stomach doing somersaults. Whether it’s stepping on stage, pitching to a client, or having a tough conversation with your team, anxiety before performance is part of leadership life. It’s natural. It’s common. And…
You know enough. Take action.
I jotted this one down after a conversation with a client recently — and it’s been buzzing around in my head since. She shared a quote with me. We’re not sure who originally said it — and I suspect it’s been misquoted somewhere along the line — but here’s how…
Stop chasing efficiency. Aim for this instead…
The other day, I scribbled something down after a coaching session — one of those notes where you think, this might be worth a share. So, here it is… I was talking with a client about her daily habits, and she mentioned something that caught my ear. She said, “Each day,…
Using ChatGPT to extract value from client calls
When they’re not rinsing me for my choice of football team, I spend a lot of time in deep conversations with my clients. I’ve come to appreciate just how much ground we cover in a single hour. When you’re in the moment, you’re actively listening, problem-solving, and offering guidance—there’s no…
The Midwit Meme: Overthinking the Obvious
I was introduced to the brilliantly named Midwit Meme while listening to Chris Williamson’s Modern Wisdom podcast. Since then, I’ve had so much fun with it—it’s one of those memes that’s both a great share and actually worth a thought or two. If you haven’t seen it, the Midwit Meme is a play…
It’s not them, it’s you: Using the Gapology framework to lead with accountability (free download)
When I first came across the Gapology framework, it immediately struck me as something every leader should learn. Why? Because it flips the script: instead of focusing on employee shortcomings, it forces leaders to look in the mirror. Gapology, developed by Mark Thienes, Brian Brockhoff, and Jonathan Brookins, is a…
Be brilliant at what requires no talent
“Be the best at everything that requires no talent.” – Paul O’Connell Recently I had the privilege of being at Twickenham (thanks Josh), soaking up the drama of England’s last-minute victory against France at the Allianz Stadium. Elliot Daly’s converted try secured a 26-25 win in the dying seconds, sending…