What do you think of when I say ‘aggressive communication’? I’m guessing you jump straight to the stereotypical image of a person who yells, bullies, threatens, and intimidates others with the aim of getting their own way. But while this is the version of aggressive communication most people picture, there’s a lot more to it […]

The problem with perfection is simple: it doesn’t exist. No matter how good you are – as a leader, employee, business person, parent, partner, friend, whatever – you can always improve and do better. And therein lies the problem. If you strive for perfection, you set yourself up for failure. It took me a long time […]

1. Remember, the best predictor of future behaviour is past behaviour. Be prepared, don’t be surprised. Rather than expecting someone to change, hoping they don’t say or do that thing, or playing over in your mind how angry they will make you, accept that this is who they are and don’t be surprised by their […]

As a leader, receiving feedback can be challenging, even when it’s constructive. It’s natural to feel defensive or uncomfortable when faced with what you perceive to be criticism. But, as a leader, your ability to not only accept but truly welcome and learn from feedback is vital for your personal growth, team dynamics, and organisational […]

In the fast-paced and uncertain world of 2023, change seems to be accelerating on a global scale. Industries are transitioning, corporations are undergoing restructures, and the aftermath of the COVID pandemic and natural disasters has left many grappling with a mix of big emotions and reactions. In these challenging times, the need for people-focussed leadership […]

One of the most important interruptions you can make in a staff member’s day when you’re a leader is to catch them doing the right thing and then praise them for it – as specifically as possible. Reinforcing positive behaviour is an often overlooked yet powerful leadership strategy, particularly at times of high stress and […]

We’ve all heard the saying “no news is good news” but often, particularly at times of uncertainty when you know change is brewing, this is not the case. In fact, not only is no news not good news, frequently, it is even WORSE than bad news, because it adds to uncertainty and anxiety. In a […]

Coaching conversations are powerful. Sometimes showing you care and creating space for someone to share can expose challenges you didn’t know existed. You may discover someone on your team is not coping with the change at all. Knowing what to do if this happens can save a life. “But Leah, this is exactly why I […]