Wise Wednesdays

 If you’ve achieved anything in your life, you know that facing the fear and doing it anyway is part of the process. But when we hit a blind spot, fear can suddenly seem very real.  FEARFUL FORTUNES A friend who is a Fortune 500 executive decided corporate America wasn’t for him anymore. However, he feels paralysed. His father had taught him he needed to stay in the game or die. As a black man with a family to care for in the USA, this feels very real. Even I struggled not to believe he had only one option: to fight his way up the corporate ladder. 3 WAYS TO MAKE FEAR YOUR FRIEND RATHER THAN YOUR ENEMY In times of fear, I often look to those who came before me so that I could be here. I imagine how they faced difficult choices and did their best. They didn’t give in to fear but they also honoured the information within it. I also rely on mindfulness meditation to understand the fear and how to respond to it. Fear isn’t the problem; it’s what we do with it that has an impact. H...

 I know ‘narcissistic’ is a strong word, but hear me out. High achievers and changemakers often pour their hearts into their careers. But is your career giving back, or is it taking more than it gives? In my early 30s, I delved deep into understanding narcissism, codependency, and the ‘Dark Triad’ (narcissism, psychopathy, Machiavellianism). I felt it was important to be informed on how to navigate these encounters, as they weren’t uncommon in high-performance environments. I read extensively and even attended CoDA (Codependents Anonymous) meetings.  Here’s what I learned: if you encounter someone (or somewhere ) with dark triad traits, it's best to step back, disengage, and reorient. Trying to reform a toxic environment yourself is like placing a brain cell in an acidic Petri dish—you can’t expect it to thrive.  Quick diagnostic: If your career does any of the following: Constantly demands more without giving back Leaves you feeling drained and unfulfilled Expects perfec...

 A quick checklist to consider... I recently had a plumber replace a few pipes in my home. Watching him work made me realise that we often prioritise physical hygiene— showering, teeth brushing, laundry,—over our internal hygiene with beliefs, emotions, and thinking styles. This imbalance can lead to repeated patterns, difficult relationships, and unfulfilling work. Inspired by this, I've created an 6-question self-leadership checklist based on the creative cycle of change I use in coaching. It’s designed to help you maintain good inner hygiene and boost your intentionality in creating your vision for work and life: Relax:  Do you take time to relax fully, with nothing to do, nowhere to go, and no role to perform on a daily basis? (Hint: Your diary will tell you) Reflect:  Do you regularly reflect on your life's direction and articulate your values, vision, needs, wants, and boundaries? Release:  Do you let go of what no longer serves you, including fears, anxieties,...