Leadership abilities- evolved over a decade

During a decade of Design Leadership I have acquired a great deal of experiences dealing with many aspects of both Team and Department Leadership and Management.

My natural leadership style is both consultative and empathetic which I have been able to deploy to help many of my colleagues & the wider organisations in which I have served.

I believe building the team up and creating the right environment and cultures, is fundamental to its likely success.

During my development as a leader I have learnt that there are many facets that have to be actively and deliberately evolved within the wider organisation.

Developing Teams and Team Cultures

Setting up and encouraging excellence in team performance

  • Action and Outcome oriented thinking
  • Fostering and recognising:
    • Humility – it’s ok ‘not to know’ – I will find out is a reasonable answer
    • Servant leadership mindsets for Team Leads
    • Appreciation for effort primarily – to develop long term performance
    • Active Listening throughout the teams
    • Encouraging learning from those around you
  • Business and value mindset
  • Collaboration
    • Deliberate partnerships
    • Bias towards sharing
    • Relying and using Team members with stronger skills effectively
  • Psychological Safety
  • Accountability
  • Feedback first mentality and culture
  • Development based on frequent and timely feedback:
    • Fostering Passion and Purpose with team members
    • Continual and ongoing development
    • Focused attention on areas of improvement
      • Actively addressing weaker aspects
    • Encouraging effective use of areas of strength:
      • through sharing expertise
      • amplification of influence
      • being the go to person on team for topic

Ongoing Leadership Learning

I am a student of leadership. I continue to read the works of acknowledged experts.

I learn from and I am inspired by the knowledge of many voices which I bring into the teams and departments I lead:

  • Purpose and Authenticity
    • Simon Sinek
      • Start with Why,
      • The Infinite Game,
      • Leaders Eat Last,
      • The Optimism Company
  • Critical Valuable Feedback, Credibility and Accepting Reality
    • Ray Dalio – Principles
  • Anticipating the need for change & adapting
    • Charles Handy
      • The Second Curve
      • The Gods of Management
  • Avoiding – The Absence of Trust, Fear of Conflict, Lack of Commitment, Avoidance of Accountability, Inattention to results.
    • Patrick Lencioni
      • The 5 Dysfunctions of a a Team
      • Overcoming the 5 Dysfunctions of a Team
      • The Ideal Team Player
      • The Advantage
  • Rules for Leadership
    • John C Maxwell
      • The 21 irrefutable laws of leadership
  • Self Management
    • Peter Drucker
  • Practical Situational Design Leadership
    • Julie Zhuo
      • The Making of a Manager
  • Leading with grace and humility
    • Carlo Ancelloti
      • Quiet Leadership
  • Being open to change / a scientific evidence based mindset
    • Adam Grant
      • Think Again


Business Understanding and Development

  • Understanding what separates some organisations from others
    • Jim Collins
      • Good to Great


Team Member Development

  • Performance Management – Individual Coaching
    • Sir John Whitmore
      • Coaching for performance