Ritchie's Podcast

The Leadership Decisions You Never Make

Think about your morning. Did you consciously debate whether to brush your teeth, check your phone, make coffee, or drive a familiar route to work? Probably not. You simply did what you always do.

That's the nature of habits. They operate quietly in the background, directing much of our behaviour without requiring conscious thought. While leaders often pride themselves on their decision-making abilities, the reality is that many of their daily actions are not decisions at all. They are habits.

This matters because leadership is not defined by occasional moments of brilliance. It is shaped by the routines, behaviours, and responses that occur consistently over time. The way leaders communicate, prepare for meetings, respond to setbacks, and develop relationships is often governed more by habit than by deliberate choice.

The first lesson for leaders is simple: habits control more of our lives than we realise.

Chapter One of my novel 

"Finding My Voice" is a step back in time to the Grammar Schools of the 1960’s as seen through the eyes of 14-year-old Bobby. Bobby is an 11-plus failure trying to rise through the ranks of an elitist school and never giving up. This year is an eventful one for Bobby and he reflects on his first love, bullying and the pains of growing into a young man in this funny look at life in a grammar school of the 1960’s. Discover what the year has in store for Bobby and how he copes with the challenges thrown at him. This speedy romp through the more innocent times of the 1960’s will captivate you and perhaps remind you of some of the funny and daft things that happen in schools. The funny stories reflect the typical goings-on in any secondary school where often the pupils seem more mature than the adults teaching them.

A classic tale, ready to transport you back to a simpler time. Full of warmth and good humour, "Finding My Voice" is like taking a nostalgic walk through the 1960’s. Wry observation and heart-warming humour are in equal measure, and the book overflows with amusing anecdotes.

Why Smart Companies Still Struggle With Productivity and Engagement

Two puzzles show up again and again inside large organisations. First, despite decades of technological progress — computing, telecom, the internet — productivity gains have been disappointing. Second, despite endless engagement initiatives, team-building events, and leadership training, employees remain disengaged, sometimes even working against their own company's interests.