The Hidden Cost of Remote Work – Why Leaders Are Losing Their Influence In the era of remote work, many businesses celebrate flexibility as a productivity win. But for leaders, there’s an unintended consequence: the dilution of their influence. Without regular in-person interactions, leaders lose opportunities to connect, align, and inspire their teams in ways that […]
Managing Post-Funding Decisions – Avoiding the OPEX Trap Securing an injection of funding is a pivotal moment for any business. It validates your vision and provides the resources to pursue growth opportunities. However, this influx of cash can tempt management teams to expand operational expenditure (OPEX)—particularly through increased headcount—without fully considering the financial impact. While […]
How HR Professionals Can Drive Strategic Priorities Beyond “Personnel” Matters I’ve always believed that people make the difference in business—whether for good or bad. The right people in the right roles can drive extraordinary outcomes, while the wrong dynamics can bring even the best-laid plans to a grinding halt. Yet, I’ve also observed how many […]
Come On, Mav, Do Some of That Pilot Stuff In the iconic scene from Top Gun: Maverick, Maverick’s co-pilot shouts, “Come on, Mav, do some of that pilot sh**!” It’s a moment that epitomises trust, confidence, and clarity of roles. Maverick, the leader in the cockpit, doesn’t hesitate—he does what he’s there to do, performing at […]
Challenging “Best Practice”: Are You Using It to Signal Authority or Drive Real Value? During a recent assignment, I attended a presentation from a CTO who was outlining the company’s technology strategy. Midway through his slides, he mentioned that certain processes were “aligned with Best Practice”—a phrase he seemed confident would solidify his position. However, as […]
Navigating the Winds of Change: Shifting the CEO and Senior Management Mindset in Distressed Situations In a previous post, Navigating turbulent waters, , I explored how a CEO coach or interim leader can support management teams through turbulent times by offering structured guidance and fostering a mindset shift. My own experience as a CEO in […]
Humans have evolved to naturally spot danger, we have a bias toward negativity which is a key survival tool
When businesses encounter turbulent times, it’s tempting to bring in an experienced Interim Finance Director (FD) to steady the ship. With cash flow under pressure and bottom-line metrics needing scrutiny, who better than a finance expert? But here’s the twist: if the issue is operational, a finance-focused leader may only scratch the surface without getting […]
A Quick DIY Guide to Driving Operational Efficiency and Growth For many business leaders, the pressure to maintain operational efficiency while managing transitions and pushing for growth can feel relentless. The window for making strategic moves can close quickly, and it’s often better to get ahead of the wave before your flexibility starts to shrink. […]
Background Scope: Operational Assessment for Potential Acquisition A well-established business with a strong market presence, was being considered for acquisition. The current owners had played a significant role in the success of the business, having nurtured key client relationships, driven product innovation, and overseen critical strategic partnerships. With the owners planning to exit the business […]
