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Touchline Coach®

Practical insight to help CEOs and MDs turn leadership pressure into results. For those carrying responsibility for teams, growth, and performance, Touchline Coach® delivers clear thinking with a grounded, operational edge.

The purpose of having a team isn’t so you can redo their work — it’s so you can multiply your effort. Your responsibility is to carry the weight of results, but your team exists to turn your intent into execution. When you provide clarity and direction, their impact compounds. That’s how leadership multiplies outcomes.

Before diving into the articles, understand the philosophy that drives everything I write about.

The Philosophy of The Touchline Coach

Business Leadership Articles – From the frontline

This category explores the real work of leading operations when it counts most, not in theory, but in action. Here you’ll find practical insights for leaders who are tasked with delivering results, often under pressure. The articles focus on turning plans into progress, aligning teams around execution, and navigating complexity with clarity and control. Whether you’re stabilising a business, driving performance, or simply trying to keep the wheels turning when resources are tight, this is where we unpack what it takes to lead operationally, and get things done.

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Leadership Articles

Thinking of Changing Your Marketing Agency? Think Again

Thinking of Changing Your Marketing Agency? Think Again Why you need to look internally before changing your marketing agency Agency spend is up 45% year on year. Sales say the…
A view from a plane of clouds in the sky
Leadership Articles

The Most Misunderstood Quote in Business Strategy

The Most Misunderstood Quote in Business Strategy Why "No plan survives contact with the enemy" means the opposite of what most people think The Quote Everyone Gets Wrong "No plan…
A range of hills and mountains with mist and cloud in a variety of blues and oranges
Leadership Articles

The CEO’s and MDs Guide to Accelerating Team Execution

The CEO's Guide to Accelerating Team Execution When Your Management Team Knows What Needs to be done, But Struggles to Get Traction The Strategic Gap That Costs You Months You’ve…
Pexels Tima Miroshnichenko
Leadership Articles
The Moment Everyone Agrees to Pretend It Makes Sense
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Leadership Articles
Executive Coaching for High-Performance Leaders
Executive Coaching Alternative
Leadership Articles
Executive Coaching Alternative: Why CEOs Need Cognitive Clarity, Not Personal Development

Series 1: From the Touchline – Leading Without Playing

This series explores what it truly means to lead from the touchline – that critical space where board members, Chairs, NEDs, and investors shape performance without directly controlling it. It examines the art of strategic influence, intelligent restraint, and perspective maintenance. Through practical disciplines and real-world insights, the series provides a framework for non-executive leadership that creates rhythm, clarity, and direction while maintaining the unique vantage point that allows leaders to see what others miss.

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Series 1: From the Touchline – Leading Without Playing

Series Introduction

From the Touchline – Leading Without Playing Series Introduction Not every leader belongs on the pitch. Some of the most decisive impact happens from the touchline, watching closely, listening carefully,…
Man and woman looking at a screen within a stadium for the article leading without playing
Series 1: From the Touchline – Leading Without Playing

You don’t need the ball to change the game

"You don't need the ball to change the game." Part 1 in the "From the Touchline" series The most effective leaders aren't the ones calling every play from the centre…
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Series 1: From the Touchline – Leading Without Playing

When to Step In, and When to Stay Out

When to Step In, and When to Stay Out Part 2 in the "From the Touchline" series The hardest part of leading from the touchline isn't keeping out of the…
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Series 1: From the Touchline – Leading Without Playing
For NED’s Playing the Long Game
Man and woman looking at a screen within a stadium for the article leading without playing
Series 1: From the Touchline – Leading Without Playing
The Confidence Gap
Man and woman looking at a screen within a stadium for the article leading without playing
Series 1: From the Touchline – Leading Without Playing
Series One Wrap-Up – From the Touchline

Series 2: Strategy Without Illusion – Cutting Through False Alignment

When growth plans fall apart, it’s often not because the idea was weak, but because alignment was false. This series addresses how strategic confusion creeps in, energy fades, and execution stalls despite everyone initially nodding in agreement. It offers practical approaches for non-executive directors, Chairs, and portfolio managers to challenge alignment without undermining trust, distinguish between financial plans and real strategic direction, and establish the right rhythm of strategic check-ins that transform delivery and cut through wishful thinking.

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Series 2: Strategy Without Illusion – Cutting Through False Alignment

Why Most Board-Approved Plans Never Deliver

Why Most Board-Approved Plans Never Deliver Part 1: Strategy Without Illusion The board pack's clean. The numbers stack up. A few tweaks, and the plan is signed off. Sometimes it…
Viaduct with hills in the background for the article strategy without illusion
Series 2: Strategy Without Illusion – Cutting Through False Alignment

Strategy Without Illusion: A Series for Leaders Who Want More Than a Budget

Strategy Without Illusion: A Series for Leaders Who Want More Than a Budget Series Introduction The numbers stacked up. A few tweaks, and the plan was signed off. Everyone nodded.…
Viaduct with hills in the background for the article strategy without illusion
Series 2: Strategy Without Illusion – Cutting Through False Alignment

You Don’t Need a New Strategy — You Need Follow-Through

You Don't Need a New Strategy: You Need Follow-Through Part 2: Strategy Without Illusion The moment targets are missed, someone suggests a new strategy. It's a familiar pattern. Q1 slips.…
Viaduct with hills in the background for the article strategy without illusion
Series 2: Strategy Without Illusion – Cutting Through False Alignment
When Strategy is Clear but Performance Lags
Viaduct with hills in the background for the article strategy without illusion
Series 2: Strategy Without Illusion – Cutting Through False Alignment
Three Questions Every NED Should Ask Before Signing Off a Growth Plan
Viaduct with hills in the background for the article strategy without illusion
Series 2: Strategy Without Illusion – Cutting Through False Alignment
Strategy Without Illusion – Series Wrap-up

Series 3: Portfolio Performance – From Drift to Direction

For portfolio managers facing investments where performance is drifting, forecasts are being missed, and progress seems elusive. This series provides a measured, deliberate approach to implementing effective change without disruption. It examines how to identify real operational blockers, provide support that strengthens rather than sidelines management, build credible recovery roadmaps, and manage stakeholder expectations during underperformance – ultimately delivering a complete framework for portfolio intervention that restores performance without creating unnecessary noise.

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Series 3: Portfolio Performance – From Drift to Direction

Portfolio Performance: From Drift to Direction

From Plan to Progress: Building Credible Recovery Roadmaps Part 3: Portfolio Performance - From Drift to Direction Recovery plans are easy to write. Recovery progress is much harder to achieve.…
Big red iron bridge across a river for the portfolio performance article
Series 3: Portfolio Performance – From Drift to Direction

Identifying the Real Operational Blockers

When Good Investments Drift: Identifying the Real Operational Blockers Part 1: Portfolio Performance - From Drift to Direction The numbers tell part of the story. EBITDA is falling. Cash is…
Big red iron bridge across a river for the portfolio performance article
Series 3: Portfolio Performance – From Drift to Direction

Strengthening Management through Executive Coaching

Strengthening Management Through Executive Coaching Part 2: Portfolio Performance - From Drift to Direction "We need to bring in some outside help." When portfolio companies drift, this phrase often surfaces…
Big red iron bridge across a river for the portfolio performance article
Series 3: Portfolio Performance – From Drift to Direction
From Plan to Progress: Building Credible Recovery Roadmaps
Series 3: Portfolio Performance – From Drift to Direction
Building Resilience for Long-term Performance
Series 3: Portfolio Performance – From Drift to Direction
Managing Stakeholder Expectations During Transformation
Series 3: Portfolio Performance – From Drift to Direction
From Drift to Direction – Series wrap Up

Series 4: The Lender’s Perspective – Control Without Chaos

This series addresses the challenges faced by relationship leads at specialist lenders when portfolio companies show signs of distress. When cash is tightening, forecasts are changing, and covenants are under pressure, the right kind of operational support becomes critical. This five-part exploration provides lenders with a framework for measured intervention that protects positions without forcing unnecessary distress, bringing stability, transparency, and controlled progress to troubled facilities.

Series 4: The Lender's Perspective – Control Without Chaos

The Lender’s Perspective: Control Without Chaos

The Lender's Perspective: Control Without Chaos Series Introduction When businesses you've backed start missing forecasts, the pressure mounts quickly. Covenant tests tighten. Board conversations become more pointed. And you find…
Series 4: The Lender's Perspective – Control Without Chaos

Reading the Real Signals in Distressed Businesses

Reading the Real Signals in Distressed Businesses Part 1: The Lender's Perspective - Control Without Chaos When businesses start missing forecasts, the numbers tell you something's wrong. But they don't…
Series 4: The Lender's Perspective – Control Without Chaos

Assessing Management Capability Under Pressure

Assessing Management Capability Under Pressure Part 2: The Lender's Perspective - Control Without Chaos The hardest question any lender faces when portfolio companies underperform is whether the current management team…
Series 4: The Lender's Perspective – Control Without Chaos
The Art of Intelligent Oversight
Series 4: The Lender's Perspective – Control Without Chaos
When to Push and When to Support
Series 4: The Lender's Perspective – Control Without Chaos
Managing the Recovery Journey
Series 4: The Lender's Perspective – Control Without Chaos
Control Without Chaos – Series Wrap-Up

Series 5: Value Creation Through Operational Excellence

For forward-thinking portfolio managers who understand that even the best strategy fails without proper execution. This series explores how to build the operational foundations necessary for investment success, whether in newly acquired companies or during critical transitions. Rather than theoretical frameworks, it offers practical approaches to translate strategic intent into operational reality, identify hidden risks, build resilience, and prepare contingencies without undermining confidence – maximising the probability of investment success through operational excellence.

Series 5: Value Creation Through Operational Excellence

Value Creation Through Operational Excellence: Series Conclusion

Value Creation Through Operational Excellence: Series Conclusion Series Conclusion: The Operational Advantage Five articles ago, we started with a simple premise: the best investment strategies fail without proper execution. Through…
Series 5: Value Creation Through Operational Excellence

Operational Contingency Planning Without Undermining Confidence

Operational Contingency Planning Without Undermining Confidence Part 5: Value Creation Through Operational Excellence The mention of contingency planning often creates anxiety in management teams. It suggests doubt about current plans,…
Series 5: Value Creation Through Operational Excellence

Building Management Capability That Scales

Building Management Capability That Scales Part 4: Value Creation Through Operational Excellence Management capability that works at £10 million revenue often fails at £50 million. Leadership approaches that succeed with…
Series 5: Value Creation Through Operational Excellence
Hidden Risks That Destroy Investment Value
Series 5: Value Creation Through Operational Excellence
The First 100 Days: Building Foundations Without Disruption
Series 5: Value Creation Through Operational Excellence
Due Diligence Beyond Numbers: Reading Operational Signals
Series 5: Value Creation Through Operational Excellence
Value Creation Through Operational Excellence

What Really Happens

Behind-the-scenes intelligence for business leaders navigating crisis. From someone who’s sat on both sides of the table – as a CEO facing these challenges and as the advisor others call in to assess the damage. This isn’t advice on what you should do. It’s intelligence on what really happens when businesses hit the wall.

Looking across the bridge at an Independent Business Review
What Actually Happens

What Really Happens During an Independent Business Review

What Really Happens During an Indepdendent Business Review (IBR) So, your bank wants to conduct and Independent Business review. When your numbers are off and you need to restructure banking…

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0113 880 0076

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