Tag Archive for: life lessons

Why leaders tell stories

We’re all unique.
If you are anything like me, through our daily experiences, each of us gathers small nuggets of wisdom.
When we share our stories, we pass those nuggets on.
They help others learn, reflect, change, and grow.
That has certainly been my experience over the last few months.
In my new role as a leadership facilitator with Aviva, I’ve shared many personal stories.
Not to be the centre of attention, but to support learning and development.
It’s about being vulnerable and building connection by sharing a story with your whole heart.
Life experience has taught me that you need to be able to share your personal and organisational stories in all kinds of settings.
These last few months the stories I have shared have mostly been in the learning rooms or a virtual session.
Some stories are small, others are long, some are funny and entertaining, whilst others are serious and significant.
But the best stories, are always the ones that come to you in the very moment you need them.
I’ve learned to trust that. When a story comes to mind, it’s usually there for a reason.
Last week, during a leadership session, a story surfaced unexpectedly.
I asked for a volunteer and shared an experience from thirty years ago that had suddenly come into my thoughts and the impact was immediate.
It opened up insight, discussion, and learning for everyone in the room.
Don’t be afraid to tell your stories in those moments of truth.
Storytelling is a powerful leadership and learning tool. When used with intention, it creates connection, deepens understanding, and brings learning to life.
If you’ve been carrying a story, one shaped by success, challenge, failure, or learning, consider sharing it.
You never quite know who needs to hear it, or what it might unlock for them.
I’d love to hear your stories too.
The moments that shaped you, taught you something unexpected, or changed the way you lead or live.
What would change if you trusted your story and shared it when it surfaced?

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?

One Stone at a Time

While we were up in the Sma Glen this week with Carter and Izaak, we got into a bit of rock balancing and stone skimming – it was great fun!
Thinking about it, there’s something about both of those activities that has stuck with me.
Balancing the rocks took me a wee bit of time, and I failed on several occasions.
To get it right, I had to slow down, feel the weight of each stone, and figure out how each one would fit together without forcing it into place.
Essentially, I had to be really still and feel my way, little by little to balance the rocks, one stone at a time. ⚖️
It reminded me how Jesus Christ works the same way with us, one by one.
It’s been my life experience that He rarely fixes things instantly.
Rather, with His help, we need to be patient, listen and take time to feel where things belong.
I know He helps us to find balance, even when things feel unstable.
That’s what Helaman 5:12 is about:
“…it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation…”
When Christ is our foundation and when we lean on Him, I know we can always find balance, especially when life feels unsteady.
With the stone skimming, each of us enjoyed searching for the perfect flat stones.
With the water being so low, there were literally hundreds of great stones to be found.
The tough part was trying to get a good series of skips across the water.
Both Carter and Izaak made some valiant attempts, my own were a little less impressive.
That made me think a little…🧐
Metaphorically speaking, sometimes we’re like those smooth stones.
It reminded me of how the Lord shapes us and sends us.
We might feel small or ordinary, but in His hands, we can move with purpose, accomplish amazing things and touch many lives.
Even when we hit the rough patches, He helps us stay in motion.
Some moments in life are about finding balance. Others are about being sent.
Either way, the Lord knows exactly what He’s doing with us.
So maybe the question for us to consider is this… Right now, is the Lord asking me to slow down and find balance, or to trust Him and move forward?

A Wake-up Call

A few nights ago, whilst down in London, I experienced something very unexpected.
It was late, and I had just fallen asleep in my hotel room when suddenly the fire alarm sounded.
What a noise!
I jumped out of bed, put some clothes on and headed for the stairs.
As I made my way down, I noticed something worrying as some guests had already decided it was a false alarm and were turning back, heading upstairs again.
The alarm was still ringing (loudly), but doubt had crept in for many of them.
Yet, the majority kept moving down the stairs, urging those turning back to reconsider.
Eventually, even the doubters turned around and followed the others out onto the street.
Hundreds gathered outside and I got lost in the crowd.
Some in pyjamas, others clearly having rushed out in panic in their bare feet, I was glad it was a warm evening.
A few were calm, chatting, and there were many others unsure.
Then the fire engines arrived with their lights flashing and sirens wailing.
Eventually, it was confirmed: a false alarm.
We were safe and it was after midnight before we were all able to return.
As I lay in bed, I found it difficult to fall back over as my thoughts returned to the earlier alarm, my rude awakening and to those who doubted.
The alarm had come suddenly and literally pulled me from my sleep.

False alarm or real call?

In Romans 13:11–12, the Apostle Paul wrote: “It is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand.”
It was just an unexpected fire alarm.
Yet the experience left me pondering.
Maybe it was also an unexpected spiritual wake-up call.
A sudden jolt, to stop, think, and look forward with more faith.
How often does the Lord send each of us spiritual wake-up calls?
Are we alert and responsive – or are we spiritually asleep, do we turn back, assuming it’s nothing?
The night is far spent.
The day is at hand.
What might the Spirit be gently waking you up to today?

The keyboard cat

Since returning home a few months ago, we’ve inherited our daughter Cristi’s cat, while she completes her university studies in Edinburgh.
It’s been quite an adjustment for me, as I am definitely not much of a cat lover.
This week, the cat (Blue) has taken an extra special liking to my office for some reason.
A couple of days ago, he decided to perch himself – quite disruptively, right in front of me on my keyboard!
Admittedly, I became annoyed, and a little frustrated by Blue, as I had things to do!
Reflecting upon that moment, I realised that there was a lesson to be had from this persistent feline, about personal development: how we respond to disruption, can shape our growth.
And since coming home – we have experienced a lot of disruption!
In coaching, I encourage clients to reframe their challenges and look at things from a different perspective.
Disruptions, just like Blue sprawled across my keyboard, can seem like an obstacle.
Yet, they present an unexpected opportunity to pause, reassess, and refocus.
Instead of getting annoyed, I asked myself: What’s the lesson here?
Blue reminded me (again) that life rarely goes as planned, and sometimes the best response is to simply adapt with patience and creativity.
Blue, indifferent to my to-do list, brought me back to the moment.
He reminded me to slow down, breathe, and appreciate the present, even if it wasn’t the one I had planned.
Life often brings unexpected interruptions.
When we embrace them, stay present, and set healthy boundaries, we can create space for growth.
So, when life places a “cat” on your keyboard, pause, reflect, and adapt.
You might discover a lesson you didn’t know you needed.
What unexpected “disruption” in your life has taught you a valuable lesson?