In this episode of The Leader’s Kitbag, I challenge the common assumption that every group of direct reports is automatically a ‘team’. 

Spoiler alert: they’re often not. 

Drawing on three key characteristics, shared goals, interdependence, and mutual accountability, I offer a simple framework to help you identify whether you’re truly leading a team or just a group of individuals working in proximity. 

Recognising the distinction is more than semantics; it has a real impact on how we lead, motivate, and structure our people. Get this right, and you’ll be leading with clarity and purpose. 

In this episode, you’ll learn: 

• The 3 defining features of a true team 
• How to spot if you’re leading a group, not a team 
• Why mislabelling workgroups as “teams” drives the wrong leadership behaviours 

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If you enjoyed this episode and want more practical, no-nonsense insights on leadership and team development, subscribe to my newsletter right here. 

You’ll get tools, strategies, and reflections that will help you lead with clarity, build real teams, and get better results without burning out. 

If you’ve ever found yourself frustrated by a planning or productivity system — or wondered “why can’t I just stick to this?”- this episode of The Leaders Kitbag is for you. 

It may not be a discipline problem at all. Instead, it could be a mismatch between the tool you’re trying to use and how you actually perceive time. 

In this episode, I explore why so many productivity and planning tools are built with through-time people in mind, and why those with an in-time perspective often find them restrictive or draining. 

You’ll discover: 

• The difference between in-time and through-time approaches to planning 
• Why one-size-fits-all productivity advice often fails 
• A simple 3-3-3 formula for in-time leaders to stay focused while retaining flexibility 

This is about working with your natural strengths, not forcing yourself into someone else’s system. 

For the First Time Ever: Join My Open Leadership Programme 

For the first time ever, I’m opening up one of my most practical and impactful leadership programmes to the public. 

Normally, I only deliver this training inside organisations, but due to repeated requests from smaller businesses and individual leaders, I’m creating a brand-new open cohort. 

Here’s what’s included: 

• 4 x half-day interactive workshops 
• 1-hour Learning Transfer Session 
• Small group format (max 18 delegates) 
• Indicative cost: £540–£600 (VAT included), with payment plans for self-funders 

This is a first-of-its-kind opportunity to access the same training I usually deliver privately to companies. 

I’ll only run it if I get 30+ expressions of interest. 

Register your interest here.

In this episode of The Leaders Kitbag, I explore why leaders respond so differently when the pressure is on. 

Some double down on structure and cling tightly to the plan, while others seem to thrive when things go off-script, almost as if they’re winging it. 

The difference often comes down to our time orientation preferences: 

• ‘Through-time’ leaders feel safest with structure and planning, but may struggle to flex when circumstances change. 
• ‘In-time’ leaders thrive in fluid, fast-moving situations, improvising and adapting as things unfold. 

Neither approach is better or worse; it’s about recognising our natural wiring, being aware of our blind spots, and learning how to flex when needed. 

In this episode, I also share a practical challenge for both types of leaders to help you step outside your comfort zone and build new strengths. 

For the First Time Ever: Join My Open Leadership Programme 

For the first time ever, I’m opening up one of my most practical and impactful leadership programmes to the public. 

Normally, I only deliver this training inside organisations, but due to repeated requests from smaller businesses and individual leaders, I’m creating a brand-new open cohort. 

Here’s what’s included: 

• 4 x half-day interactive workshops 
• 1-hour Learning Transfer Session 
• Small group format (max 18 delegates) 
• Indicative cost: £540–£600 (VAT included), with payment plans for self-funders 

This is a first-of-its-kind opportunity to access the same training I usually deliver privately to companies. 

I’ll only run it if I get 30+ expressions of interest. 

Register your interest here.

In this episode of The Leaders Kitbag, I share a fascinating moment from a recent leadership programme I ran with 22 managers from across Europe. 

When I asked them to answer a simple question, “point to the past”, every single one of them pointed behind them. 

That might not surprise you… but it completely threw me. 

Why? Because I would instantly point to the left. 

This seemingly small exercise reveals something much bigger: our different orientations to time,  in time vs through time, and how these shape the way we plan, structure our days, and lead our teams. 

In this episode, you’ll learn: 

• The two distinct ways people perceive time 
• How your time orientation influences your behaviour as a leader 
• Why recognising these differences in your team is so powerful 

I’d love to know your perspective on this. 

Would you point behind you for the past, or to the left? 

Share your answer in the comments wherever you’re engaging with this content, or drop me a message on social media. 

I’m curious to learn more about the mix of orientations we all have. 

For the First Time Ever: Join My Open Leadership Programme 

For the first time ever, I’m opening up one of my most practical and impactful leadership programmes to the public. 

Normally, I only deliver this training inside organisations, but due to repeated requests from smaller businesses and individual leaders, I’m creating a brand-new open cohort. 

Here’s what’s included: 

• 4 x half-day interactive workshops 
• 1-hour Learning Transfer Session 
• Small group format (max 18 delegates) 
• Indicative cost: £540–£600 (VAT included), with payment plans for self-funders 

This is a first-of-its-kind opportunity to access the same training I usually deliver privately to companies. 

I’ll only run it if I get 30+ expressions of interest. 

Register your interest here.  

In these ‘SHORTS’ episodes of my podcast, I select my favourite moments from previous episodes. This one comes from episode 183, with Peter Cohan, author of Scaling Your Startup, lecturer at Babson College and advisor to hundreds of early-stage and high-growth companies.  

Only 0.4% of all founders continue running their companies three years post-IPO – in this clip, Peter unpacks how “cognitive hunger” sets them apart from the other 99.6%.  

Once you’ve listened to the ‘SHORT’, why not click the link below and tune in to the full episode?  

Enjoyed The Short?  

Listen to the full episode here.

In this short but powerful episode of The Leaders Kitbag, I’m sharing a concept that’s brand new to me – one that’s genuinely shifted how I think about time, productivity, and leadership. 

It originates from the world of NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) and explores the idea that people relate to time in fundamentally different ways – as either “in time” or “through time” thinkers. 

You’ll discover: 

• What these two styles look like in everyday life. 
• Why some people thrive on planning, and others feel suffocated by it. 
• How understanding this can radically shift how you lead your team. 

This fresh insight isn’t about putting people in boxes. 

It’s about awareness – knowing that we all perceive and process time differently, and how that difference can be a hidden source of friction… or a powerful leadership advantage. 

For the First Time Ever: Join My Open Leadership Programme 

For the first time ever, I’m opening up one of my most practical and impactful leadership programmes to the public. 

Normally, I only deliver this training inside organisations, but due to repeated requests from smaller businesses and individual leaders, I’m creating a brand-new open cohort. 

Here’s what’s included: 

• 4 x half-day interactive workshops 
• 1-hour Learning Transfer Session 
• Small group format (max 18 delegates) 
• Indicative cost: £540–£600 (VAT included), with payment plans for self-funders 

This is a first-of-its-kind opportunity to access the same training I usually deliver privately to companies. 

I’ll only run it if I get 30+ expressions of interest. 

Register your interest here.  

In one of my earliest podcast episodes, I interviewed Connor Pearce - now President of Samsung Electronics in Poland - who shared a powerful piece of leadership advice he received early in his career: 

“Think like a man of action. Act like a man of thought.” 

In today’s Leader’s Kitbag, I unpack that quote and explore how to apply it in your day-to-day leadership, whether you're naturally more of a doer or a thinker. 

You’ll learn: 

• How to balance thoughtful decision-making with courageous action 
• The difference between reactive and considered responses 
• Why quiet conviction is one of the most underrated leadership strengths 

It’s not necessarily about speaking more or acting faster, it’s about choosing clarity, timing and purpose over noise and speed. 

Get Leadership Tools Straight to Your Inbox 

If this episode gave you food for thought, don’t miss a single one. 

Sign up for The Leaders Kitbag email series to get each video, podcast and leadership insight delivered straight to your inbox, helping you grow your confidence, sharpen your communication, and lead with impact. 

Sign up here and join a growing community of thoughtful, high-performing leaders.  

In this episode of Leading the ScaleUp, I’m joined by Peter Cohan - author of Scaling Your Startup, lecturer at Babson College, and advisor to hundreds of early-stage and high-growth companies.

Together, we dive into the four essential stages of scaling and why skipping just one of them can derail even the most promising business. Peter shares candid insights on how successful scale-ups intentionally build culture, the dangers of cognitive lock-in among senior leaders, and why intellectual humility is a core leadership trait for those who last the distance.

This is not just a conversation about business mechanics; it’s a conversation about the mindsets and moments that shape enduring leadership.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• The four stages of scaling — and the hidden risks of skipping the second
• Why culture doesn’t need to be defined early — and when it absolutely must be
• How founders can avoid poisoning their culture with the wrong hires
• The difference between cognitive hunger and cognitive lock-in
• Why the best leaders are the ones still learning

Whether you're leading a fast-growing team or preparing your business for its next chapter, Peter’s experience and clarity will help you lead more deliberately through scale.

Resources & Links Mentioned:

Peter’s Book: Scaling Your Startup

Peter’s Latest Book: Brain Rush: How to Invest and Compete in the Real World of Generative AI

Connect with Peter on LinkedIn 

Next Steps:

If you're looking for tailored executive coaching or leadership development training to support yourself or your team through a scale-up journey, I’d love to hear from you. Just drop me an email at [email protected].

If you’ve ever felt that the only way to be noticed in a meeting is to raise your voice, this episode is for you. 

In today’s Leader’s Kitbag, I challenge the belief that volume equals influence. 

Whether you’re a reflective thinker, naturally quieter, or simply not the first to speak up, you’ll discover simple, practical strategies for showing up powerfully and being heard, without compromising your style. 

You’ll learn: 

• How to own your natural communication style and still have impact 
• Phrases you can use to interject and contribute with clarity 
• Why preparation is your secret weapon when it matters most 

Leadership in meetings isn’t about how loud or often you speak, it’s about the value you bring. 

Get Leadership Tools Straight to Your Inbox 

If this episode gave you food for thought, don’t miss a single one. 

Sign up for The Leaders Kitbag email series to get each video, podcast and leadership insight delivered straight to your inbox, helping you grow your confidence, sharpen your communication, and lead with impact. 

Sign up here and join a growing community of thoughtful, high-performing leaders.  

Could speaking less actually make you a more impactful leader? 

Inspired by a quote from author Graham Greene, “The more you say, the more likely you are to look foolish,” this episode of The Leaders Kitbag explores the power of intentional communication in leadership. 

Some of the most effective leaders I know don’t feel the need to be the loudest or most frequently heard voice in the room. But when they do speak, they speak with clarity and purpose. 

In this episode, I share three practical strategies to help you say less and lead more effectively. 

You’ll learn: 

• Why concise communication increases the impact of your message 
• How to create space for others and avoid dominating airtime 
• The value of modelling thoughtfulness and restraint as a leader 

Leadership isn’t about always being the loudest voice in the room, it’s about knowing when to speak and how to make your words count. 

Get Leadership Tools Straight to Your Inbox 

If this episode gave you food for thought, don’t miss a single one. 

Sign up for The Leaders Kitbag email series to get each video, podcast and leadership insight delivered straight to your inbox, helping you grow your confidence, sharpen your communication, and lead with impact. 

Sign up here and join a growing community of thoughtful, high-performing leaders.