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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New Zealand rugby is synonymous with excellence. The All Blacks, with their unparalleled success, have become the gold standard in the sport, admired worldwide for their skill, unity, and mental resilience. But this dominance hasn’t come from talent alone—it’s the result of a culture of constant evolution, innovation, and leadership. For New Zealand rugby teams, from grassroots to professional levels, embracing specialised leadership coaching is the next step in maintaining and building on this legacy.Posted: Thursday 5 December 2024 -
In my experience, the best leaders are also the best listeners. Listening is often overshadowed by other leadership qualities like decision-making or strategic thinking, but it is an essential and often underestimated skill. We spend so much time learning what to say, how to say it, and when to say it, but communication becomes meaningless if we aren’t willing to listen.Posted: Wednesday 4 December 2024 -
Lets be honest—leadership isn’t always as rational as we’d like it to be. Leadership is about people, and every person, including the leader, brings internal biases to the table. No matter how much we try to focus on facts, our emotions and instincts often influence our decisions. One of the most fascinating ways this happens is through something called the halo effect—a psychological bias that can distort how we perceive others and ourselves, sometimes for the better, but often to our detriment.Posted: Wednesday 27 November 2024 -
Recently during a leadership workshop I was facilitating, one participant posed a question that resonates with many managers: “What do I do when I have to enforce a decision I don’t agree with?” This situation is one of the most challenging a leader can face, particularly when senior leaders make decisions that must be implemented by frontline and middle managers.Posted: Wednesday 20 November 2024 -
Becoming a leader for the first time is an exciting yet daunting journey. Up until now, you’ve likely been evaluated based on your own performance. But as you step into this leadership role, you’ll realise that you are now judged by how well others perform under your guidance.Posted: Wednesday 13 November 2024 -
We’ve all seen people make decisions that are obviously very bad and clearly not in their best interest. During these times, we wonder, “What on earth were they thinking?” As a Leadership and mindset coach, I frequently encounter these patterns in people’s lives, and I see how these bad decisions often come down to specific psychological factors. In this article, I want to share with you four key reasons why good people tend to make poor decisions: cognitive dissonance, present bias, ego depletion, and social influence – and, more importantly, what can be done about it.Posted: Thursday 7 November 2024 -
From ancient fireside tales to modern boardroom presentations, storytelling has connected generations and cultures. Stories are more than entertainment; they’re pathways to share experiences, communicate values, and define what’s right and meaningful. Today, successful leaders recognise storytelling as a powerful tool to inspire teams, clarify vision, and reinforce the values and culture they wish to instil within their organisations.Posted: Wednesday 6 November 2024 -
In a world that celebrates success and achievement, it’s easy to overlook a fundamental truth: success can only be found when we live in the reality of the moment. However, living in reality is easier said than done. Our minds are powerful creators of perception, giving each of us a unique, often biased view of the world and ourselves.Posted: Tuesday 5 November 2024 -
Throughout history, leadership has evolved alongside society’s changing values, expectations, and complexities. From the bold, charismatic leaders of ancient times to the authoritarian figures of the industrial age, traditional leadership often relied on authority, assertiveness, and decisive command. Today, however, leadership is shifting toward a quieter, more nuanced approach. Quiet leadership reflects a modern, people-centred perspective that values humility, empathy, and adaptability. This approach is particularly suited to the interconnected, diverse world we live in, where collaboration, emotional intelligence, and trust are essential for success.Posted: Thursday 31 October 2024 -
Friedrich Nietzsche, the influential German philosopher, is perhaps best known for challenging conventional wisdom and delving into the darker aspects of human nature. One of his most powerful ideas is encapsulated in a line from his work Beyond Good and Evil: “Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you.” Though written over a century ago, this idea offers profound lessons for today’s leaders, especially those facing intense challenges or conflicts. But what did Nietzsche mean by “the abyss,” and how can leaders apply this warning in a practical way?Posted: Wednesday 30 October 2024 -
As a Leadership Coach, my role is to help people achieve their own version of success. This could mean earning a promotion, launching a new business, or simply building confidence. Success has many faces, and each individual’s journey is unique, requiring tailored guidance and strategies. However, some principles apply universally. In this article, I will share these insights with you, offering practical steps you can take to become more successful in both business and life.Posted: Tuesday 29 October 2024 -
In any organisation, accountability is the foundation upon which success is built. Without accountability, teams may struggle with inefficiencies, poor communication, and a lack of ownership over outcomes. Yet, while many leaders recognise the importance of accountability, building a culture where team members consistently take responsibility for their work and understand the impact of their contributions can be a challenge.Posted: Friday 25 October 2024 -
Every leader faces setbacks. Whether it’s a missed deadline, a failed project, or an unexpected crisis, these moments can define the trajectory of a team and its leader. However, the ability to turn setbacks into opportunities for growth and success is what sets great leaders apart. Resilience—the ability to recover from adversity and keep moving forward—is not only a crucial trait for leaders but also for their teams.Posted: Wednesday 23 October 2024 -
In a world that often celebrates extroversion, particularly in leadership roles, introverts can sometimes feel overshadowed. Leadership is frequently associated with outgoing personalities, charismatic public speaking, and quick decision-making in high-pressure environments. Yet, many of history’s most influential leaders—such as Abraham Lincoln, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Bill Gates—were introverts, proving that leadership is not about fitting a particular mould, but about leveraging your unique strengths.Posted: Tuesday 22 October 2024 -
In leadership, much of the focus is often placed on traits such as confidence, vision, and the ability to inspire. While these qualities are undoubtedly important, there is one element that stands at the very foundation of all successful leadership: integrity. Without strong ethical principles, leadership becomes shallow and unsustainable. Integrity in leadership is not only about being trustworthy but also about making decisions that align with core values, even when those decisions are difficult.Posted: Thursday 17 October 2024 -
In our modern competitive world, leadership is often associated with confidence, authority, and decisiveness. However, there’s another trait that often goes unnoticed but can be equally powerful: humility. In my experience as a Leadership coach, I’ve seen that humility is the number one quality in successful leaders. While self-focused leaders can come across as confident and powerful, they may achieve short-term gains, but in the long term, it is always the humble leaders who truly succeed. Humility may not be as glamorous as charisma or as bold as ambition, but it is fundamental to building trust, fostering collaboration, and commanding genuine respect within a team.Posted: Wednesday 16 October 2024 -
At the time of writing, it’s being reported that Thomas Tuchel, one of football’s most talented tacticians, is on the verge of being announced as the new manager of the England football team. His arrival could mark a new era for the Three Lions, and while his appointment may seem surprising to some, Tuchel’s leadership qualities make him a fitting choice.Posted: Wednesday 16 October 2024 -
In the world of leadership, there exists a paradox that often goes unnoticed: the delicate balance between confidence and vulnerability. On the surface, these traits seem like polar opposites. Confidence implies strength, assertiveness, and unwavering belief, while vulnerability is often associated with openness, uncertainty, and the admission of mistakes. Yet, when it comes to leadership, the greatest leaders know how to navigate both realms simultaneously, fostering an environment of trust, authenticity, and growthPosted: Tuesday 15 October 2024 -
The true impact of a leader can be measured by the quality of the culture they create. A workplace culture can be best described as a shared understanding of what is expected, both in terms of performance and behaviour. When there is clarity, consistency follows, and with consistency comes success. However, when culture is misaligned, challenges quickly emerge.Posted: Wednesday 9 October 2024 -
Mistakes are an inevitable part of any job. No matter how skilled or prepared you are, there will be times when things go wrong. In business, mistakes can have serious consequences—they might cost you a new contract or, worse, result in the loss of an existing client. Your business and career can suffer as a result. However, the way you handle mistakes can make all the difference. If managed correctly, a mistake doesn’t have to be a disaster. In fact, it can be turned into an opportunity to strengthen your relationships and demonstrate the integrity of your business. This article will show you how to master the art of the apology and turn every mistake into a positive event.Posted: Tuesday 8 October 2024