Tag Archive for: coaching

A Fireside Chat to Remember

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of observing a fireside chat with a senior leader unfold in the Lead the Way programme at Aviva in Perth.

It was enjoyable to sit there and watch the learning unfold.

As I understand it, a few days earlier, there was a short call between the facilitator and the cohort sponsor, to discuss the opportunity at hand.

That early conversation helped shape the flow, clarify expectations, and set the tone for what would become a powerful learning experience.

These chats don’t happen in every session, but are organised when calendars and time align.

From the moment the chat began, there was an openness in the room and a genuine curiosity to learn.

Course participants were invited to ask questions, and they were asked with warmth, thoughtfulness, and respect.

The leader’s responses were real, honest, and at times filled with humour.

Many personal stories brought key topics to life, offering both insights and reassurance that leadership, at its heart, is a human endeavour.

One of the standout moments came when someone asked, “How would you describe your work–life balance?”

The leader paused, smiled, and replied with calm confidence: “Disciplined. I have outside interests, things that are non-negotiable. They keep me grounded.”

That simple, authentic answer said it all.

Throughout the conversation, there was laughter, reflection, and a shared sense of purpose.

It wasn’t just a Q&A, for many in the room, it was a real live mentoring session.

The whole session sparked real connection, fostered networking, and built relationships across the cohort.

For me, it was a joy to see such a positive experience unfold, that blended insight, humility, and humanity in equal measure.

What stories from your own journey could help others see the human side of leadership?

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?

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?

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?

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?

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?

Lighten the Load

Last Saturday, I climbed Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh for the third time this year – this time, with my good friend Kai.
We’d originally planned to tackle Ben Nevis, but time and fitness made us rethink, so Arthur’s Seat it was.
We travelled over to Edinburgh on the bus, catching up on our latest news.
As we walked along Princes Street and down the Royal Mile, the summit in the distance felt manageable, familiar even.
Kai had brought a heavy bag with him, and I asked, half-joking, “Are you planning to carry that all the way to the top?”
He considered my question, then, sensibly agreed to stash it in the gorse for a couple of hours.
No point in hauling all the extra weight up a hill if you don’t need to.
That small moment stuck with me.

The Life Lesson

When you’re climbing, literally or metaphorically, what are you carrying that you don’t need to?
As leaders, coaches, or just people trying to move forward, we all take on things that slow us down.
Extra responsibilities, assumptions, doubts. Life has taught me that sometimes we need someone beside us to ask the obvious question: Do you really need to carry that right now?
Our route changed early on too.
Recent gorse fires had closed the path I’d taken on previously and rockfalls had made it unsafe.
In the moment, we adapted and took another way up.
It was unfamiliar, but just as scenic, pausing a couple of times when the incline got a bit steeper.
Reaching the top, it was packed with tourists soaking up another glorious blue-sky day!
Coming down was much easier. We picked up Kai’s bag and found a good spot for lunch.
We travelled home on separate buses as Kai had some things to do in Edinburgh, but I found out later, that like me, he’d fallen asleep on the bus within minutes – exhausted!
Sometimes the best coaching happens in walking shoes, halfway up a hill, with the sun on your back and a friend beside you.
The walk reminded me of a few leadership truths:
• Plans change, be ready to adapt and adopt an agile mindset.
• You don’t have to carry everything all the time.
• And sometimes, the best support you can offer is a quiet nudge that says, “You can let that go.”
What load are you carrying that’s no longer serving you?

A new chapter

I’m happy to share that I’m starting a new position as Leadership Development Facilitator at Aviva!
Day one (yesterday) was all about collecting my new IT kit, getting set up, and (most importantly!) receiving a very warm virtual welcome from my new colleagues.
I’m really looking forward to collaborating on impactful leadership development programmes over the coming months with them all in Perth.
And yes… the thoughtful wee welcome biscuit that arrived in the post was the perfect finishing touch! It was much appreciated and enjoyed! 🍪⭐
I’ll still be doing a little bit of coaching and leadership work through my own company, plus all the other voluntary work including the FORB Foundation.
Here’s to learning, growing and making a difference together.