The Leaders Friend

The Leaders Friend 💬 Helping leaders find clarity, confidence & calm
🎯 Boundaries • Clarity • Self-belief

I watched the Kylie documentary this week and found myself thinking a lot about confidence and self-trust.As a child, sh...
27/05/2026

I watched the Kylie documentary this week and found myself thinking a lot about confidence and self-trust.

As a child, she seemed so grounded and encouraged by her family. She loved performing and believed she could do it because nobody had told her otherwise yet.

Then the outside noise crept in.

“Kylie the budgie.”
“She can’t really sing.”
“She should stay in her lane.”

And over time, you could see how even someone hugely successful started believing some of it herself.

What I found really interesting was the contrast between Pete Waterman and Michael Hutchence.

One seemed to want a version of Kylie that stayed manageable and did what she was told.

The other seemed to really see her and encourage her to trust herself creatively.

And from there, something changed.

She started asking for more input.
More creative control and ownership over who she wanted to become.

I think a lot of us experience versions of this in our own lives and careers.

Over time, outside opinions, criticism and expectations can slowly disconnect us from our own instincts if we’re not careful.

Confidence is so much about learning to trust your own voice again.

I watched the Kylie documentary this week and found myself thinking a lot about confidence and self-trust.As a child, sh...
27/05/2026

I watched the Kylie documentary this week and found myself thinking a lot about confidence and self-trust.

As a child, she seemed so grounded and encouraged by her family. She loved performing and believed she could do it because nobody had told her otherwise yet.

Then the outside noise crept in.

“Kylie the budgie.”
“She can’t really sing.”
“She should stay in her lane.”

And over time, you could see how even someone hugely successful started believing some of it herself.

What I found really interesting was the contrast between Pete Waterman and Michael Hutchence.

One seemed to want a version of Kylie that stayed manageable and did what she was told.

The other seemed to really see her and encourage her to trust herself creatively.

And from there, something shifted.

She started asking for more input.
More creative control.
More ownership over who she wanted to become.

I think a lot of us experience versions of this in our own lives and careers.

Over time, outside opinions, criticism and expectations can slowly disconnect us from our own instincts if we’re not careful.

Confidence is often about learning to trust your own voice again.

There’s something we don’t talk about enough.That voice in your head.You know the one ..“You can’t do that.”“Who do you ...
12/05/2026

There’s something we don’t talk about enough.
That voice in your head.

You know the one ..
“You can’t do that.”
“Who do you think you are?”
“Why would they listen to you?”

Mine’s called Doris.

And for years, she had a lot to say — especially whenever I was about to do something new, visible or uncomfortable.

What I’ve learned over time is this:

→ You don’t get rid of your inner critic.
→ But you can change your relationship with it.

Now, Doris can sit in the back seat. But she doesn’t get to drive anymore.

Try naming yours, it can be incredibly empowering.

12/04/2026

It’s true that the best things in life are free.
I walked in Wanstead Park today amongst the most amazing bluebells and birds song. The blue bells were just perfect 👌

If you ever need to get out of your head, a walk in nature really does wonders. Lucky to live so close to this beauty.

Feeling uncomfortable is often a good sign.I’ve been noticing this in my own life recently.It’s not always easy… but it ...
01/04/2026

Feeling uncomfortable is often a good sign.

I’ve been noticing this in my own life recently.

It’s not always easy… but it usually means something is shifting.

Agree or disagree? Let me know in the comments below 👇

Have you ever heard of 'The Silent Middle'. It's a concept that really stayed with me when I read about. And is really r...
19/03/2026

Have you ever heard of 'The Silent Middle'.

It's a concept that really stayed with me when I read about. And is really relatable to anyone working in high pressure full on environments... like agencies, consultancies, fin tech, you get the gist.

I've seen it many times, and relate because basically it was me. You're the on that is dependable, people trust and the one that always delivers. We don't complain, drop the ball. Just keep getting on with it... quietly.

But people don't realise you're carrying it all, because you're coping.
But eventually you can burnout.

Have a read and see if you recognise yourself or anyone in your team.
Because it doesn't have to be this way.

My nan’s funeral was on International Women’s Day.Which somehow feels fitting when you know her story.She grew up in the...
08/03/2026

My nan’s funeral was on International Women’s Day.

Which somehow feels fitting when you know her story.

She grew up in the East End, in a time when the choices for women looked very different to today. But she and her sisters were strong, funny, resilient women who simply got on with life – supporting each other and building families and communities around them.

I realise now how much of my own work ethic and independence comes from watching women like them.

We often talk about leadership as something we learn in the workplace.
But for many of us, the first examples of strength and resilience came much earlier – from the women who raised us.

My nan worked most of her life, which was unusual for women at that time. Even after “retiring”, she took on a cleaning job in Soho Square (for Sir Paul McCartney no less) and once got stuck in a lift for three hours.

When someone finally rescued her they asked how she’d stayed so calm.

Her answer:

“You weren’t here during the Blitz were you? This is nothing.”

That was her attitude to most things.

Resilient.
Stoic.
Practical.

And also deeply loyal.

Every Saturday at midday she would catch the No.8 bus back to Bethnal Green to meet her sisters. There would be jokes, singing, and more than the odd swear word.

Their bond was extraordinary.

It’s made me realise we often learn how to lead long before we step into leadership roles.

We watch people.
Over time we absorb what matters.
Strength, resilience and kindness show themselves in action.

Nan carried that quiet “keep calm and carry on” spirit her entire life. And was independent to the very end.

And I suspect a lot of my own outlook on work, resilience and leadership probably started there.

Today feels like a good day to remember her – and all her sisters.

A quiet reminder for anyone who needs it.We don’t bloom all year round – and that’s okay. 🌱
09/02/2026

A quiet reminder for anyone who needs it.
We don’t bloom all year round – and that’s okay. 🌱

One week to Christmas ... and this my reminder ...You don’t need to do it all (you can make it easier)It doesn't need t...
18/12/2025

One week to Christmas ... and this my reminder ...

You don’t need to do it all (you can make it easier)
It doesn't need to be perfect (because there's no such thing)
You can slow down, protect your energy, and be present making memories that matter.

This is your time to stop and take time out too.
It's not just another list to complete.
Or another performance.

Turn on the out of office. Switch off and enjoy!

Let it be good enough. Let it be yours.

10 Leadership Blind Spots That Might Be Holding You Back⁠You’re great at what you do. But even high performers can get c...
16/12/2025

10 Leadership Blind Spots That Might Be Holding You Back
⁠
You’re great at what you do. But even high performers can get caught in patterns that quietly drain their confidence, energy, or impact.⁠
⁠
Think: overfunctioning, overthinking, perfectionism, people pleasing…⁠
Sound familiar?⁠
⁠
I see these patterns of behaviour all the time in coaching – especially in agency, marketing, and creative leaders.⁠
⁠
In my latest blog, I talk about 10 of the most common ones – plus how to spot them, what causes them, and how coaching helps you break the cycle.⁠
⁠
You’ll probably see yourself in more than one. That’s normal.⁠
⁠
📖 Read the blog via the link in bio
⁠
💬 Which of these do you recognise in yourself? Comment below or DM me if you want to explore them in a coaching session.⁠
⁠

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