Leadership Under Pressure: The Deeper Lesson A dramatic headline perhaps, but it’s the title of the song written by Elton John with Bernie Taupin. The song isn’t just about a personal crisis, it’s about what happens when external expectations collide with internal truth, a moment every senior leader eventually faces. Click here for the song: https://youtu.be/u1Ap66som1o?si=Gz4L95Hcgs-OEE5t 1. The Most Dangerous Moment Isn’t Failure: It’s False Success Elton wasn’t failing. He

Not long ago, getting somewhere new meant unfolding a map, asking for directions, or, heaven forbid, getting lost and figuring it out as you went . Today, most of us couldn’t drive five miles without a satnav calmly telling us where to turn. That small convenience points to a much bigger shift. We no longer navigate - we follow. We no longer explore - we execute instructions. And it’s not just driving. When we don’t know something, we don’t sit with the question anymore. We

Modern coaching did not begin in a boardroom, nor in an MBA classroom. It began on the dusty streets of Athens. Socrates, a real flesh-and-blood philosopher with worn sandals and an awkward gait, would stop people in the marketplace to ask unsettling questions: What do you believe? Why? And what will you do next? He never offered answers. He offered discovery. This is the heart of modern coaching. Not advice. Not instruction. Inquiry that awakens capability from the inside. T

The 30-Minute Rule: Small Daily Wins, Big Results One of the most useful ideas I’ve ever borrowed from Brian Tracy is this: Pick one goal and work on it for just 30 minutes a day. Not two hours. Not “when I have time.” Just 30 minutes. It works because it removes the biggest barrier to progress: resistance. Thirty minutes feels manageable, so we start. And once we start, momentum takes over. A book gets written (that’s where this brought me to!) A fitness habit forms A busine

Workplaces aren’t derailed by difficult people, they’re derailed by the impact of unmanaged behaviour. Whether you’re a colleague or a leader, toxic traits, if left unchecked, sap energy, distort reality, and weaken trust. The good news is that you can respond with clarity, calm, and boundaries. Below are two brief, distinct guides. Part 1: As a colleague - navigating toxic co-workers How to spot toxic traits: Look for consistent patterns, not isolated moments: Gaslighting -

Leadership begins with empathy In every workplace, there’s a quiet kind of leadership that doesn’t come with a title or a corner office. It’s found in the colleague who notices when someone’s voice trembles in a meeting, who checks in after a tough day, or who offers a kind word that makes a heavy load just a little lighter. Being a good colleague isn’t about being the loudest supporter or the most cheerful team player, it’s about awareness, empathy, and courage. It’s about c

CLICK HERE to watch the video There are moments that stay with you, not because of the performance itself, but because of the human story that unfolds beneath it. One such moment was Gruffydd Wyn Roberts’s first audition on Britain’s Got Talent. At first glance, Gruffydd appeared confident - smiling, composed, ready. But then Simon Cowell asked a simple question: “Why do you live with your Nan?” That question unearthed something deeper. Suddenly, Gruffydd’s poise cracked. His

Demolition of historic White House East Wing well underway The wrecking crews are already at work. The East Wing of the White House, home to decades of quiet diplomacy and the traditional domain of First Ladies, is being demolished . In its place is a glistening new ballroom, complete with marble floors and chandeliers the size of small cars. There’s been no formal consultation, no historic-preservation process. Just a decision and the sound of walls coming down. Typical Tru

Ready to move beyond the illusion? One of my favourite movies ever is The Truman Show where Jim Carrey’s character lives in a world that...

Susan Jeffers’ Book A book I often recommend to clients is by Susan Jeffers Feel The Fear and Do It Anyway  where she describes how fear...

In a world that often rewards conformity, it takes courage to stand apart. The image of a single black sheep in the middle of an endless...

We’ve all been in meetings where the loudest voices dominate while the best ideas stay hidden. True leadership isn’t about talking the...

Kintsugi (金継ぎ) In Japan, there is a centuries-old practice called Kintsugi; the art of repairing broken pottery with lacquer mixed with...

©️Motivus Coaching Rugby’s Lesson for Leadership: Giving Back to Those Who Give So Much In rugby, the Pacific Island nations - Fiji,...

The Power of Journaling Have you ever woken up with a knot in your stomach but couldn’t quite explain why? I know I have. For years, like...

An Austin Cambridge from the 1960s When I think back to my childhood in the 60s and 70s in the industrial valleys of South Wales in the...

Always Use Critical Thinking… For decades, organisations have relied on psychometric testing to select and develop their leaders. Tools...

The fulcrum of family life in Bali When most people think of Bali, they picture beaches, yoga, and surfboards. But look closer and you’ll...

1. When You Don’t Know the Whole Story Half-truths and assumptions fuel gossip, conflict, and misunderstanding. Silence protects your...

Carl Gustav Jung | Swiss psychiatrist and psychotherapist | 1875 to 1961 Carl Jung once wrote, “The privilege of a lifetime is to become...