My 2026 Reading List
Books are where I slow down, sharpen my thinking, and occasionally escape altogether. I’m fairly indiscriminate in my tastes: leadership and self-development inevitably dominate the…
Writing
Reflections on leadership, change, complexity and what I’ve learned - as well as my personal blog, Mediocre Opinions.
Can I still work from home?
It seems that this is a question capable of making strong, experienced leaders, used to using data to come up with answers and focusing efforts on outcomes, drop all of that experience and knowledge for petty arguments and gut-feel vibe takes.
What I learned from 12 years at the same company (that wasn’t really the same company)
Many versions of the organisation. Many organisations. Many versions of me. Far more than 12 years' experience.
Can your coffee shop preferences reveal your personality type?
The other day, I wrote about how strongly I feel that personality assessments like DISC need to be used in the right way to be…
Personality assessments like DISC are really helpful, until they’re not
Personality assessments are a big thing in leadership, and I have to admit that I’m quite torn on what I think of them. They can be…
I’d forgotten all about referencing
I’ve recently signed up to complete a university course that, eventually, will give me an Executive MBA. Naturally, I’m both excited and apprehensive in equal…
Online gift cards should be printable
Gift cards are great for a lot of reasons, and the ones in store have even become ecofriendly lately which is great – but online,…
There’s a point of AI Parky, but Parky is only half of it
In about October last year, there was some excitement about a new podcast being hosted by an AI re-creation of Michael Parkinson. It got all…
A routine is actually about being in control
There are, supposedly, lots of benefits to having a morning and an evening routine. As I journey through my 30s, I feel like maybe –…
Parliament should have the final say
Today Keir Starmer has been talking to people like me, carrying on the crusade to “back the builders, not the blockers” and I have to…
Why bother
I’ve had reason to contact a few companies over the last couple of weeks, and in all three cases I have needed to speak to…
A trip back to 1938
It’s time for that short period, where a year ago today we were doing the last “normal” things without realising it. In 1938, Neville Chamberlain…