A different kind of tired

I’ve had a great, but exhausting week!

At the start of the new leadership programme – Lead the Way, with Aviva in Perth, there’s a familiar pattern emerging.

People arrive mid-afternoon, often after an early start and a long journey.

They mostly arrive with a little travel tiredness, having transitioned from back-to-back meetings into something unknown.

After all, they’ve just stepped away from the buzz of their day jobs, where decisions are constant and time is tight.

So, we slow them down.

It’s one of the quiet, yet very special gifts of this programme: two full days where they’re not doing the day job, rather, they’re encouraged to think differently.

Reflecting.

Paying attention to themselves and others in ways they usually don’t have time for.

A New Tired

And yet by the end of those two days, my discovery this week is they’re still tired, just in a completely other way.

It’s not the tiredness of logistics or deadlines.

It’s the stretch that comes from working with new models, testing fresh ideas, and forming new connections, not only in their minds, but with each other too.

It takes a great deal of effort to tune into those emotions, to have honest conversations, and explore their own leadership habits.

It’s also the kind of tired that comes from meaningful work.

And somewhere in all that effort, I have witnessed many who start to see a shift in mindset.

A quiet clarity.

The occasional Aha moment where something lands differently and opens up in a new way.

It’s not always comfortable, but it is purposeful. And for many, it’s long overdue.

So yes, they do leave tired.

But it’s a good tired, for each of them.

A stretched, thoughtful, worthwhile kind of tired.

And from what I’ve seen, it’s the kind that stays with you.

When was the last time you were stretched in a way that felt meaningful?

New. Uncomfortable. Stretching.

Yesterday was my first time running the new Lead the Way leadership programme for Aviva in Perth.
I’d worked with my co-facilitator Jane many times online over the last 26 days, but this was the first time we had actually met in person.
So right from the start, I was feeling that mix of excitement and a wee bit of nerves too…
And I wasn’t the only one!
As delegates started arriving, there was a quiet tension in the waiting area.
A subtle mix of anticipation, nerves, and curiosity.
Uncomfortable, yes. But that’s often where the good stuff starts to happen.
Jane and I were definitely in the stretch zone too. After all we were delivering this session live together for the first time.
There’s always a bit of uncertainty when you’re doing something new, even if you’ve prepared.
Life has taught me for sure, that growth doesn’t happen in your comfort zone!
Early on in the session, we invited each delegate to pause and simply notice what they were feeling.
Not to fix it or fight it – just to notice.
There’s real power in staying present, in leaning into the awkward, uncertain, or emotionally charged moments and I have learned its essential for growth, but not easy for everyone.
We talked about how useful it is to stay with those tricky emotions rather than brushing them aside.
In leadership and in life too, I know that discomfort can show up right before something meaningful happens.
That ability of noticing without reacting is key when you’re leading teams too.
It can help you understand your own reactions and allows you to empathise with the emotions of your team.
By the end of the day, everyone had started to explore their own leadership style with more honest feelings.
There was more openness, more self-awareness, and definitely a bit more ease in the room too.
It was a solid start and a good reminder that discomfort isn’t a sign you’re doing it wrong.
Most of the time, it means you’re right where you need to be.
Day 2 – here we come!
What helps you stay grounded when things feel uncertain?

Lit with Fire and Faith

Every six months, I sit down to watch the General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
My expectations were high, as with the passing of President Nelson last week, there was always going to be some unknowns whilst the church enters an apostolic interregnum, wherein the Quorum of the Twelve serves as the presiding body until a new First Presidency is appointed.
Yesterday, Monic, Amilya, Hazel (2 visiting BYU students) and I settled down, to listen to the messages of hope and inspiration for the world.
As we watched Conference together with freshly baked banana bread in hand, slippers on, and a blanket or two making the rounds, I found myself deeply grateful for this opportunity to learn.
There were many inspirational speakers, who shared the feelings of their heart.
But for me there was one who shone brightly.

On Fire

Elder Kevin G. Brown spoke on “The Eternal Gift of Testimony.”
Sustained as a New General Authority Seventy only six months ago, this was his first time speaking in General Conference.
He spoke with a passion, a fire and a zeal that was simply incredible.
He was so animated and enthusiastic about the message he shared.
“If you know, 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐊𝐍𝐎𝐖. I know that I know.”
There is no denying his conviction and the unmistakable authority of one who knows.
He knows and it shows.
He went on to say that “it is worth every effort to pursue this path to testimony” and it was clear that in his lifetime, he had pursued the path to a sure testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Storm Amy had swept through Scotland yesterday and left our wee nation a bit battered and bruised.
It was still a little grey and a bit drizzly outside after the storm, but inside our home things were different.
From his Jamaican roots, Elder Brown brought not just the blistering heat of his homeland, but some thunder too, setting the conference centre ablaze (and our home too) with fire and power through his personal testimony and fearless witness of the Saviour.
His passion, power and sincerity were palpable throughout, he certainly shook me and set me on fire once more.
There are still a few sessions to go, and if you haven’t tuned in yet, I’d really encourage you to watch.
There is something powerful about hearing these messages live, wherever you are in the world.
Who or what has stood out to you so far?
And a short postscript – I KNOW TOO!

Savouring the Small Moments

Over the last couple of weeks, I’ve had the privilege of sitting in a large training room and simply watching learning unfold.
The leadership programmes I have been attending stretch over 2 days, beginning mid-afternoon on Day 1, flowing through a full Day 2, and closing at lunch on Day 3.
Yesterday, as the programme drew to a close, and we started to slow down, we stood together in a large circle for final reflections.
In our last 15 minutes, participants were invited to share their learning takeaways, the “a-ha” moments that had lifted, inspired, or even changed the way they think.
What struck me wasn’t the grand or dramatic revelations, but the 𝒔𝒎𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒔.
A phrase that stuck.
A comment from a colleague.
A small moment of courage.
A shift in perspective.
A subtle insight that sparked a smile.
These were the things each delegate had chosen to hold onto and savour.
It reminded me of something important about leadership: so often we think learning has to come in big packages, huge breakthroughs, bold strategies, dramatic change.
But yesterday reminded me that it’s the little things that often make the biggest difference.
It has been my life experience that great leaders pay attention to the 𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒍𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔 and encourage others to do the same.
Over the next few days, why not watch out for those small learning moments that deserve a little more savouring.
The subtle experiences you might otherwise overlook.
The quiet insights that whisper rather than shout.
Notice them. Capture them. Reflect on them.
Because sometimes, the smallest takeaway carries the deepest learning and the greatest power to shape lasting change.
What small moment this week has taught you the biggest lesson?

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?