My Blog

I recently had an interesting evening where I went to two unrelated, separate events and came away with the one message.Read more...

One of the frustrating things about being more introverted is that you get put into an ‘introvert’ box. Introverts are regularly stereotyped as:Read more...

Time and time again I hear people in organisations say they wished their leaders listened to them more.Read more...

Because it will burn you out. I’ve been there. I have heard from many people who have been there.Read more...

There is so much written about women’s lack of confidence. It’s become a ‘truth’ that men have more confidence than women.Read more...

Following my article Bias towards style over substance is keeping your real talent hidden, I found out from a colleague about an organisation which eliminated introverts from their talent pool after doing some personality profiling of their high potentials. Most of my readers know where I stand on the issue of diversity of leadership style (ie. I believe we need more diversity in leadership style – please see Do you have to be an extrovert to get ahead?). It made me reflect on what organisations and leaders do to keep their diverse talent hidden and under-utilised.Read more...

Have you come across conversations where people comment on others that they are ‘not leadership material’? That they lack executive presence, they don’t have gravitas, they’re too soft, they’re too reserved? Often they are to do with styles, personalities and qualities. Have you ever wondered what they are saying about you and your leadership potential?Read more...

Thank you to the people who responded to my previous article Do you need to be extroverted to get ahead?Read more...

If you want to have a breakthrough in 2017, remember that our minds can be easily tricked. Pause before believing and acting on what you see, hear, read or feel.Read more...

Whether organisations, leaders and individuals are aware or agree with it or not, the collective belief to this question is an overwhelming ‘yes’. Of the 114 people who responded to a survey before attending the Quietly Powerful Women’s (QPW) events, a whopping 92% feel that they have to be extroverted to progress in their careers. Many of these women feel exhausted from having to put on the extroverted persona to get ahead. Even ambivert (mix of introvert and extrovert) and extrovert women have told me that they feel exhausted!Read more...

I hear many of us, including myself, advising people to ‘be yourself’, ‘bring your whole self to work’, ‘be authentic’ etc. It seems like a sensible piece of advice. I mean, who else would you be if you’re not yourself? As leaders, authentic leadership is supposed to be effective in engaging and inspiring people. As an organisation, you get higher engagement and access the best talents when people feel like they can ‘be themselves’ as well.Read more...

At least it’s not the first thing you need.Read more...