Thoughts worth acting on
Real conversations and sharp insights on leadership, change and what it takes to lead well even when things get hairy.
Whether it’s something I’ve written, said, or been invited to weigh in on, all are shared to shift perspective and spark better action.
Your next team member might be an AI agent
AI is moving from helping people complete tasks to systems that can increasingly plan and act. That changes where decisions are made, where accountability sits and what leaders actually need to lead.
The Leaders AI Is About to Make More Valuable Are Being Told They're Obsolete
Why experienced leaders may become more valuable in the AI era, as organisations need judgement, trust, risk discernment and human-centred change leadership.
Why Competent Leaders Accidentally Create Decision Bottlenecks
Decision bottlenecks aren't always caused by controlling leaders. Sometimes they're created by capable leaders responding sensibly to something that went wrong — and never revisiting the response. Here's how one GM lost 11 hours a week to decisions his team could have been making without him.
When Compassion Costs Honesty
Compassion and accountability are about to collide. When does being understanding as a leader start getting in the way of honest conversations and accountability? This explores the uncomfortable line between leading with compassion and avoiding the conversations that actually need to happen.
Co-Creation Isn't Dead. But We've Been Using It In The Wrong Places.
Too many organisations have added so much governance that their strongest leaders spend more time proving they're working than doing the work itself. Here's how excessive oversight quietly erodes execution, trust and momentum.
When Did Leadership Become An Exercise In Proving You're Working?
Executive leaders often respond to uncertainty by adding more governance, reporting and oversight. But when accountability becomes bureaucracy, leadership friction grows, high performers burn out and strategy execution slows. Here's how to build trust without creating organisational drag.
Podcast Episode: But Why? Change
A leadership podcast episode exploring how executives navigate complex change, global instability and cultural tension with courage and composure. Listen to the conversation on sustainable leadership in uncertain times.
You’re Paying For It. You Just Don’t Know How Much. The Cost Of What You're Not Naming.
Leadership friction is rarely measured, yet it quietly drains time, slows decisions, increases rework and erodes performance during organisational change. Discover the hidden financial cost of unresolved friction and why naming it is the first step to improving strategy execution.
You're Not Leading a Transformation. You're Surviving One. And There's a Difference.
Many transformation programs don't fail because of strategy—they stall because leaders become overwhelmed by the pressure of leading them. Learn how executive leaders can avoid transformation drift, protect decision quality and lead change with greater clarity, resilience and impact.
Podcast Episode: Leading Through Instability; a Conversation on Change, Courage and Staying Connected
A leadership podcast episode exploring how executives navigate complex change, global instability and cultural tension with courage and composure. Listen to the conversation on sustainable leadership in uncertain times.
What 2025 Taught Me About Leadership, Purpose and Choosing What Matters
A personal reflection on leadership, purpose and the lessons that shaped 2025. From navigating uncertainty and simplifying business to protecting energy and leading with intention, these are the ideas I'll be carrying into the year ahead.
Before You Reset for 2026, Review What 2025 Was Really Teaching You
Before setting new goals for 2026, take time to examine the leadership patterns that shaped your year. These reflections explore psychological safety, resilience, decision-making and the hidden habits that quietly influence leadership effectiveness.
The Goal Isn't to Control Chaos. It's to Lead Through It.
Complexity has become the normal operating environment for executive leaders. Discover practical ways to simplify decision-making, create clarity, reduce organisational chaos and lead confidently when certainty isn't possible.
Culture Isn't Built In Workshops. It's Built In What You Tolerate.
Culture isn't defined by values statements or strategy documents—it's created by everyday leadership behaviours. Learn how leaders shape organisational culture through decisions, accountability, systems and the behaviours they choose to reinforce.
You Don't Need to Hustle Harder to Become a More Influential Leader.
Real influence isn't built through constant visibility or relentless activity. Discover how executive leaders build trust, strengthen their presence and create greater impact through clarity, calm and intentional leadership.
Time Is a Leadership Signal: How Executive Leaders Reclaim Their Most Valuable Resource
The way leaders spend their time shapes trust, priorities and organisational culture. Discover practical strategies to reclaim your calendar, improve executive judgement and create space for the work that matters most.
I’m Lou…Let me introduce myself
Let’s get reacquainted.
If we’ve just connected, or if you’ve been following me a while: here’s the short version of who I am, what I do, and why I do it the way I do.
Ghosted at work? Leadership lessons from the dating world
In this episode of Set the Bar, I joined host Sarah to unpack what happens when bad dating habits, like ghosting, show up in leadership. Yep, it’s a thing. And it kills team engagement faster than you can say “left on read.”
Coaching, reps & resilience
Coaching, reps & resilience
RecentlyI joined Johnny Allen-Howes on the People of PPS podcast to explore where fitness coaching and leadership coaching intersect. We talked about goal setting, resilience, and the real value of having someone in your corner, whether you're chasing a deadlift PB or preparing for your next big role.
Resilient Teams Aren't Built by Pushing Harder. They're Built to Adapt.
Resilience isn't about enduring constant pressure—it's about helping people adapt, recover and continue leading through uncertainty. Learn practical leadership strategies to build resilient, high-performing teams that thrive during change.