Australasian Leadership Institute Free Articles
Welcome to My Leadership and Mindset Blog
With over 34 years of experience in leadership, I’ve had the privilege of working with leaders and organisations internationally, helping them unlock their potential, overcome challenges, and achieve exceptional results. Recognised as one of the world’s top leadership experts, I’ve authored 12 books on leadership and mindset, sharing the strategies and insights that have transformed individuals and teams around the globe.
This blog is where I share practical insights, proven techniques, and timeless lessons to help you navigate the challenges of leadership and elevate your performance. Whether you’re an experienced executive or stepping into a leadership role for the first time, you’ll find valuable advice here to guide your journey.
If you’re ready to take the next step and bring meaningful change to your team or organisation, I offer:
• One-on-one coaching tailored to your unique leadership challenges.
• In-house leadership training designed to create high-performing, purpose-driven teams.
Get in touch today, and let’s work together to make your leadership vision a reality.
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One of the most difficult yet essential skills for any leader is the ability to say no. Many leaders hesitate to use this simple word, fearing that it will make them seem unhelpful, unapproachable, or resistant to new ideas. However, the reality is that great leaders understand that saying no is not a personal rejection—it is a strategic decision made in the best interest of the organisation.Posted: Wednesday 19 March 2025 -
The best leaders are learners. They have a desire to discover ways in which they can become better leaders, and they are the most passionate. Learners look for any example of excellence, regardless of the industry in which that excellence occurs, because they understand that where you find excellence, you will find valuable lessons. In this week’s article, I want to explore the world of Formula One, which this weekend marks the start of the 2025 season.Posted: Wednesday 12 March 2025 -
This article is inspired by my new book, Wisdom of the Gods, available for sale now. In the book, I explore timeless leadership lessons drawn from ancient myths, revealing how these stories continue to shape our understanding of power, influence, and decision-making. One of the most relevant myths for leaders today is the story of Narcissus, a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked ego.Posted: Friday 7 March 2025 -
Do you know the most common challenge that leaders face? As a Leadership Coach, I spend time helping leaders identify and implement strategies to overcome the obstacles in their roles. Many challenges arise—dealing with difficult team members, managing self-doubt, addressing performance issues, and many more. However, without a doubt, the most frequent challenge leaders encounter is not having enough time to complete all the work in front of them.Posted: Thursday 6 March 2025 -
Diplomacy is often seen as the skill of politicians and ambassadors, but in reality, it is an essential trait for any successful leader. The ability to navigate complex relationships, manage conflicts, and build bridges between differing perspectives is what separates great leaders from those who struggle to maintain authority and cohesion within their teams.Posted: Wednesday 5 March 2025 -
The U.S. Navy SEALs are one of the most elite military units in the world. Their rigorous selection process, gruelling training, and real-world combat experience make them a symbol of mental and physical resilience. However, beyond their battlefield prowess, the SEALs possess leadership principles that are applicable far beyond military operations. Whether you are leading a business, a sports team, or a project, the lessons from the SEALs can help you become a more effective and resilient leader.Posted: Thursday 27 February 2025 -
Leadership in high-stakes environments requires a unique blend of resilience, adaptability, and decisiveness. Few organisations exemplify these qualities better than the Special Air Service (SAS), one of the most elite military units in the world. Known for their ability to operate under extreme pressure, SAS soldiers are trained to lead in situations where failure is not an option.Posted: Wednesday 26 February 2025 -
Leadership is not just about making decisions or managing teams; it’s about continuous growth, adaptability, and the ability to inspire others. In an ever-evolving business landscape, even the most experienced leaders encounter challenges that test their abilities. This is why having a leadership coach is no longer a luxury but a necessity.Posted: Monday 24 February 2025 -
Executive leadership team meetings are not just another item on the calendar. They are where the organisation’s most important decisions are made. Unlike routine business meetings, these gatherings shape strategy, solve high-stakes problems, and determine the future direction of the company. Yet, despite their significance, many executive meetings fall into the same traps. Too much time is spent on updates, not enough focus is given to decision-making, and there is often a lack of clear action.Posted: Wednesday 19 February 2025 -
Leadership is often misunderstood as control—the ability to direct, manage, and dictate outcomes. But the paradox of leadership is that the more you try to suppress growth, the more instability you create. Leaders who fail to provide opportunities for development, refuse to listen to concerns, or resist change don’t create a stable organisation; they create a toxic one..Posted: Wednesday 19 February 2025 -
Executive leadership team meetings are not just another item on the calendar. They are where the organisation’s most important decisions are made. Unlike routine business meetings, these gatherings shape strategy, solve high-stakes problems, and determine the future direction of the company. Yet, despite their significance, many executive meetings fall into the same traps. Too much time is spent on updates, not enough focus is given to decision-making, and there is often a lack of clear action.Posted: Wednesday 19 February 2025
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Every employee, at some point in their career, has come up with an idea they believe could benefit their team or organisation. Yet, despite the enthusiasm and effort put into presenting it, the idea is often met with indifference—or worse, outright dismissal. It’s frustrating, but before you assume your boss is simply ignoring you, it’s worth considering why they aren’t engaging with your proposalPosted: Wednesday 12 February 2025 -
Reciprocity is one of the most powerful yet often overlooked principles in leadership. It’s the idea that when you give to others, they feel compelled to give back in return. This simple yet profound concept has shaped human interactions for centuries, influencing everything from friendships to business relationships. As a leader, understanding and applying reciprocity can transform your team dynamics, foster loyalty, and inspire people to perform at their best.Posted: Thursday 6 February 2025 -
Reciprocity is one of the most powerful yet often overlooked principles in leadership. It’s the idea that when you give to others, they feel compelled to give back in return. This simple yet profound concept has shaped human interactions for centuries, influencing everything from friendships to business relationships. As a leader, understanding and applying reciprocity can transform your team dynamics, foster loyalty, and inspire people to perform at their best.Posted: Thursday 6 February 2025
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Leadership is often discussed in terms of vision, strategy, and decision-making. Yet, there is a crucial element that is frequently overlooked: the willingness to fight for your team. More than policies, processes, or even performance metrics, people want a leader who they believe will stand up for them, advocate on their behalf, and protect their interests.Posted: Wednesday 5 February 2025 -
The aim of every leader is to inspire greatness in others, there’s many leaders who tell you what to do but there’s not many who are able to inspire you to become a better version of yourself but when you meet those leaders their memory stays with you, the feeling of empowerment, self belief and loyalty that was instilled into you. If you too want to become an inspirational Leader someone who can inspire others to be better then this weeks article will benefit you. Let’s look at how you can become an inspirational Leader.Posted: Tuesday 28 January 2025 -
Over my years as a leadership coach, I’ve encountered countless leaders—some new to the role, others with decades of experience—who’ve struggled to live up to these outdated and often harmful ideas about what leadership should look like. They’re trying to embody a version of leadership that doesn’t align with reality, and it’s holding them back.Posted: Tuesday 28 January 2025 -
Leadership isn’t just about making decisions or setting goals—it’s about creating an environment where people can thrive, contribute, and innovate. But here’s the tricky part: human behaviour is complicated, especially when it comes to group dynamics. Sometimes, people will follow the crowd, even when they know it’s wrong. Why? Because the pressure to conform can be stronger than the desire to be right.Posted: Thursday 23 January 2025 -
Leadership isn’t just about making decisions or setting goals—it’s about creating an environment where people can thrive, contribute, and innovate. But here’s the tricky part: human behaviour is complicated, especially when it comes to group dynamics. Sometimes, people will follow the crowd, even when they know it’s wrong. Why? Because the pressure to conform can be stronger than the desire to be right.Posted: Thursday 23 January 2025
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Every team faces adversity at some point. Whether it’s a challenging project, a downturn in sales, or an unexpected setback, adversity can test motivation and morale. In these moments, the difference between a team that struggles and one that rises to the occasion often lies in how the leader is able to motivate the team. Adversity doesn’t have to derail motivation; in fact, if managed correctly, it can become an opportunity to reinforce resilience, focus, and unity.Posted: Wednesday 22 January 2025