Foiled Again!

This week, like last, I’ve been quietly observing the new leadership programmes at Aviva in Perth.
But there’s another, less formal, daily challenge I face alongside my fellow facilitators, and it comes wrapped in foil!
Every morning, the catering team lays out a display of Tunnock’s finest: tea cakes, snowballs, caramel logs, and my personal favourite – caramel wafers.
It’s an iconic Scottish institution after all, a proud family-run business.
And here’s the problem.
Because while the visiting delegates (currently mostly from England) dig in, (its hospitality after all and a wee taste of Scotland), I find myself staring at the table, having a little internal leadership moment.
It’s a daily test of self-discipline.
It sounds silly, right? It’s just a biscuit!
But self-discipline is one of the most underrated traits of great leadership for anyone who wants to lead the way.
It’s about the choices we make when no one’s watching, especially the small ones. And those small choices can all add up.
I must admit to having failed once or twice last week.
If I can’t say no to a caramel wafer at the next break, how will I hold a boundary under pressure?
How will I stay committed to the long-term over the easy win?
How will I model the kind of leadership I expect from others?
The truth is simply this, self-discipline isn’t about denying joy, rather It’s about directing it.
Choosing long-term growth over short-term gratification.
Building habits that make future decisions easier.
And in leadership, those habits ripple out, that can shape culture, model behaviours and build trust.
So, this week, I’ve started to leave left the Tunnock’s on the table.
Not because I don’t love them (I really do), but because I love what I’m building more, and that starts with leading myself.
I think I’ll keep a wee eye on my fellow facilitators too!
Or am I the only one facing this regular test?
Besides… they’ll still be there next week. Probably. Maybe. 😉
What small habit could you build this week that reflects the kind of leader you want to be?

Spider Time

I was visiting my mum yesterday, and we started talking about the colder evenings, when our conversation turned to spiders moving indoors for warmth.
She told me about a massive one she’d found in her bedroom.
She squished it and moved on, as you do!
As a child I remember a big one running over my bed and I’ve never been fond of them since.
I shared our current spider saga; the one Amilya spotted in our living room.
She tried to get it. Missed. Tried again. Missed. Third time: still missed.
And then it disappeared behind the couch.
We haven’t seen it since ☹
We’re now living in this strange state of quiet dread, knowing it’s in there somewhere… waiting. We shake out blankets. We check under cushions. We know it’s there, and the not-knowing is almost worse than the spider itself.
That’s when my mum mentioned an old bit of folklore: Chestnuts are supposed to ward off spiders.
Luckily, I’d picked up a few chestnuts on a recent trip down in England.
So, about 10 days ago, for strategic defence I placed them in the living room, sadly I’m not sure if they are working or the spider’s just biding its time…
There’s a kind of anxiety that comes when something feels off, but you don’t know what to do.

Faith over Fear

The spider is small, but the fear feels big. And the more invisible it becomes, the more space it takes up in your head.
Life is like that.
There are things we can’t see but feel. Worries can creep in. Fears about the future, or regrets from the past, or things deep inside us that we just don’t want to face.
We try to manage it with strategies, sayings, or spiritual chestnuts we hope will protect us.
But they don’t always help.
2 Timothy 1:7: “God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”
God doesn’t remove every threat, or every spider, or every uncertainty.
But He can and does remove the fear of them.
I know His Spirit brings clarity, calm, and courage, even when something’s still lurking in the background.
What’s the “spider behind the couch” in your life right now?

Back in the Flow

After many years of working for myself, stepping into a bustling office with over 1,200 people has been quite a shift, not just in the environment itself, but in the new rhythm for me of travelling most days to Perth.

The pace of corporate life has returned to my life, and it is relentless!

Processes, procedures, and meetings stack up fast in my inbox and Teams.

Decisions are a constant, with priorities shifting continuously.

There is also a buzz, excitement and energy in the air too.

But amid all that motion, I’ve noticed there’s something more subtle happening.

Yesterday, I began observing a new leadership programme here at Aviva’s Perth office, a listed building built in the late 1970’s as an HQ for General Accident, with beautiful Japanese style gardens.

The Power of the Pause

As I watched people arrive, settle, and begin to engage, what stood out wasn’t just the structure of the sessions, it was the power of pausing.

In a corporate setting where everything runs at full tilt, it was fascinating to see people start to slow down and take some time to think.

To truly listen and engage.

To be and to stay present with each other.

It reminded me that effective leadership isn’t just about drive, oftentimes it’s much more about depth.

And sometimes, the most valuable progress happens when people stop rushing long enough to think clearly, connect genuinely, and reflect honestly.

Many were curious.

Others a little vulnerable.

Many were considering, maybe for the first time in a while, what kind of leader they really want to be and what was there why.

Rolling up my sleeves and getting stuck in has been both energising and tiring!

There’s momentum here, and excitement about what’s ahead and we’ve just begun the journey, as have I.

There’s also a hunger to lead the way.

But there’s also wisdom in making time to find some quiet space in the noise of corporate life, for thought, for perspective, for growth and importantly for slowing down.

It’s in the quietness there, in the thinking time, and in being fully present, that I can already see many finding their strength.

What might shift if you gave yourself more time to think and to pause more often?

The crazy side of leadership

Having a BYU student come stay with us, has brought out our younger thinking again, and on Saturday, we decided to do something fun together.
Monic, Amilya and I spent the afternoon at Adventure Island crazy golf.
It was a fun hour, full of laughter, silly obstacles, and some interesting putting techniques!
Both Monic and Amilya even managed to get a hole in 1…!
Monic emerged as the victor with the lowest score, I was second, and Amilya took third spot.
But truthfully, the real joy wasn’t in the positions, it was in the hilarity of it all, somehow, I even managed to miss scoring one hole altogether. 😆
Learning is all around us, and reflecting afterwards, two simple leadership lessons stood out.

Lessons Learned

Firstly, like life, the course was full of twists and turns.
Crazy golf is deliberately designed to throw you off balance.
Just when you think you’ve got a straight shot to the hole, a hidden slope, an awkward obstacle, or some weird random bounce or twist, changes everything.
Leadership is no different.
Plans rarely play out in straight forward, predictable ways.
Obstacles crop up, a few spanners are thrown in the works, things shift unexpectedly, and what looks simple suddenly becomes really complex.
Yet it’s my experience, that good leaders don’t get upset, they simply adapt, laugh at the obstacles, and keep moving forward.
Secondly, celebrate each other’s wins.
On Saturday, we kept a scorecard, but at the end, what mattered was cheering one another on.
Monic’s victory became a fun celebration for us all.
There were several high fives and congratulations offered on the course.
In teams and organisations, many times I’ve witnessed leaders who celebrate others’ successes create an environment where people feel recognised and valued.
That spirit of encouragement can lead to even more motivation and trust than any personal award could.

So, whether on a putting green filled with pirate-ship obstacles or in the middle of a leadership challenge at work, remember to expect the twists, and cheer loudly when others succeed.

In the end, it isn’t just about the score, it’s really about the experience you create together.
What “crazy golf” moments are shaping your leadership right now?

A Divine Seating Plan

As we entered Kyle and Emily’s wedding celebration last Monday, the very first thing that caught everyone’s eye in the function room, was the seating plan.
It was simply divine.
It was framed with fun photos and carefully arranged names. (Talking of photos, I’m sure there will be more soon!)
It was clear too, that they had given a lot of thought to where every guest would sit.
At every table, we found our names on an individual place card.
There was no guesswork, no confusion and no one was left out.
Each person had a place prepared for them, including Oscar in his wee highchair.

God’s Seating Plan

It reminded me of a simple gospel truth, that our Heavenly Father has a “seating plan” for each of us.
He knows us individually, loves us personally, and has a divine seating arrangement for each of us in our families, communities, and circumstances, in order to help us grow.
Nothing is random to Him.
The longer I live, the more sure I know, that God is at the helm.
Just as Kyle and Emily thoughtfully arranged their guests so everyone would feel comfortable and included, similarly, God lovingly prepares opportunities and circumstances where we can grow into who He knows we can become.
Sometimes we may wish we were at a different “table,” or sitting with different people, but it has been my experience that over time, as we trust in Him, we begin to see His wisdom and love.
Jesus Christ taught His disciples, “I go to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2).
The ultimate promise is that each of us has a place in His kingdom, lovingly prepared and reserved, just like Kyle and Emily had done for each guest at their wedding.
Where is God inviting you to sit right now, and what do you think He might want you to learn there?

Wisdom with a Giggle

On Monday, we celebrated Emily and Kyle’s wedding near Liverpool.
It was a stunning day full of elegance, beauty, and love.
Emily was radiant, Kyle beaming, the venue picture perfect, and the guests all dressed to impress. (Lots more pictures to follow – soon!)
Every detail had been carefully prepared.
But amidst the grandeur, one tiny guest quietly, effortlessly, and regularly stole the show.
Our wee grandson Oscar.
With his cheerful smile and boundless charm, he constantly drew people in.
Not with fanfare, but with his presence.
Pure, joyful, authentic, mischievous presence.
And here’s the leadership lesson: You don’t need to be the loudest, most decorated, or most experienced person in the room to make an impact.
Sometimes, simply showing up with joy, openness, and authenticity can shift the entire atmosphere.
Oscar reminded each of us, that sometimes the smallest presence can make the biggest impression.
Whether you lead teams, teach, coach, or parent: Never underestimate the quiet power of showing up with real heart.
Who’s someone in your life that makes an impact just by being present?

Prepare with Purpose

Lately, my life has been full of preparation.
Starting a new job, planning for Kyle and Emily’s wedding, upcoming talks, lessons and workshops, some travel, visitors, many meetings and the Christmas Light the World Charity Machines initiative.
Every morning, I prepare myself spiritually through prayer, scripture study, and journaling to plan for and prepare for the day ahead.
For me, preparation is everywhere right now.
But more than schedules and events, I’ve been thinking about how we prepare our hearts, for the future, for the Lord Jesus Christ, His second coming, and for the things that truly matter.

It’s Time

James E. Faust once told the story of a restaurant clock that stopped a few minutes after noon. The owner left it there because people kept coming in, thinking they were hungry just by looking at it.
It’s a reminder that some people are guided by broken clocks, or false signals that distract from what’s real, responding to external cues rather than internal conviction.
Are you living with broken clocks in your life?
We live in a world full of distractions, and yet I know that preparation helps me stay grounded.
Ezra Taft Benson taught that the Book of Mormon has given us a pattern for preparing for the Saviour’s second coming.
A significant part of the book focuses on the years just before Christ appeared in the Americas.
In that record, we see both destruction and deliverance.
Some were ready.
Some were not.
And what made the difference?
It was simply preparation.
Not just physically, but importantly, spiritually.
This morning, I am reminded of a verse in Alma 34:32: “This life is the time for men to prepare to meet God.”
That’s a key focus of preparation and it should be our why.
So, whatever you’re preparing for, a new semester at university, a new role, a major life event, or the quiet work of daily discipleship, my invitation is to prepare with intention.
Prepare with faith.
And prepare with the Spirit.
What are you doing today to prepare for what matters most?

A spanner in the works

Early yesterday morning around this time (05.30am), I opened my inbox and found a surprise, a significant shift in a voluntary global programme I’m involved in.
No heads-up, no warning.
Just increased complexity.
I reached out for clarification and got on with my day.
Whilst out walking a couple of hours later, a colleague involved in the same project rang and said: “Well, that throws a spanner in the works!”
I hadn’t heard that phrase in years, but it was a great fit.
A perfectly timed, blunt idiom that summed up the situation: something had unexpectedly jammed the gears of our project!
Together we discussed the situation at hand.
It would’ve been easy to react on instinct and fire off another quick reply.
Through the day yesterday in preparing for another matter, I came across the perfect quote from Stephen Covey, which described what happened next, almost perfectly, he once said: “Between stimulus and response, there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response.”
Instead, we both paused and considered a careful response.
We thought about implications, options, and risks.
But before we could act, we received a second and then third message which clarified the new position and an opportunity to address the matter directly in a call later this week.
Here is what I learned yesterday….
• Spanners will always get thrown into the works.
• You can’t stop surprises, but you can control your response.
• Don’t underestimate the power of the pause.
• Reacting is easy, but responding with purpose is leadership.
But remember most of all – slow down!
How do you train yourself to pause when pressure builds?

Why I journal every day

Last week, I started a new chapter in my life with Aviva, joining the People Transformation and Talent team in Perth.
As a Leadership Facilitator, I’m part of a small team delivering an exciting new programme called “Lead the Way”, a people solution designed to shape and support leadership for the future.
In my first few days, as I’ve met with new colleagues, both individually and as a group, one theme keeps coming up: curiosity.
It’s something the CEO herself has mentioned constantly as I’ve listened to her messages.
It’s something we all seem to share.
One of the most frequent questions I’ve been asked is, “And what do you like to do?”
That’s led me to share something quite personal: my passion for journaling.
Since January 1st, 1978, I’ve kept a daily journal.
That’s over 17,000 + entries and it tends to surprise people, because it’s not exactly a common habit.
But for me, it’s a practice that has grown more valuable with time.
There’s something powerful about taking a moment each day to write down what matters.
It’s a place where I can treasure up the things that I’ve seen and heard.
The more I write, frequently, the more insights come.
Thoughts that might otherwise drift away take shape and stay with me.
And occasionally, it becomes even more useful than I expect.
That reminds me, last week, two friends asked me about a specific date in 1998. They needed a bit of detail from that day; I’d better check my journal for them!
Journaling helps me pay attention.
It’s where I record the things that mean the most in life.
It’s part reflection, part record-keeping and part therapy.
Many have written today about how journaling can benefit your mental health.
And it’s one of the most consistent sources of clarity I’ve known.
The best time to start journaling was yesterday, the next best time is today!
What’s one moment from this week you wouldn’t want to forget?

The Three Pillars of Life

As a child, I grew up attending The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Dunfermline. My faith has been with me all of my life.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ has made a huge difference, bringing me peace, purpose and direction in the good and especially the tough times.
With a lay clergy, I’ve been privileged to serve in many roles locally, nationally and in the interfaith community. In those years, I have noticed something quite interesting.
Many people who rarely step inside any church, of any denomination, still choose to come to the church for help when it really matters most, especially on the three sacred pillars of life: 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡, 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐠𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡.
A new baby is blessed, a couple is joined in marriage, a loved one is remembered and laid to rest.
These moments are special, tender, and deeply human.
It makes sense to me, that people turn to God at such times, because they break the bonds of our earthly thinking and touch eternity.
But here’s the thought that has stayed with me: if God is there for us at life’s bookends and milestones, how much more is He willing to be with us in the ordinary days in between?

The Life Lesson

That’s where my photo comes in…
A simple question: 𝑾𝒉𝒐 𝒅𝒐 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒖𝒑 𝒕𝒐?
Most of life is lived in the day-to-day events… you know the type…the school runs, the work deadlines, the quiet evenings, and the unseen struggles we experience.
It’s in those moments, we need people we can look up to, but even more, we need Someone to look up to.
We read in the Psalms; “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters” (Psalm 23:1–2).
To me, that isn’t just for beginnings or endings… it is for every day.
So, while I love being present with others at births, marriages, and funerals, I believe the gospel is just as much about Tuesdays and Thursdays as it is about weddings and farewells.
Christ’s promise is to give us life “more abundantly” (John 10:10), not just occasionally, but constantly.
My invitation this Sunday is simple: don’t wait for the great events of life to seek God.
“It is neither too early nor too late to become a devout disciple of Jesus Christ” – Russell M. Nelson.
Let Him walk with you today and look up to Him in the small and simple things.
Come join with us in Dunfermline this morning. Perhaps today’s a good day to ask: who do you look up to?