As 2024 comes to a close, it’s time to pause and reflect. Not just to look back, but to connect with what’s truly important, because we cannot step forward with clarity and intention until we understand where we are now and how we got here.

Reflection is a leadership superpower, and a strategic pause is your opportunity to embrace it. Taking time to reflect helps you reset, focus, and ensure that the decisions you make align with your values and purpose.
One practice I love is the GLAD practice by Donald Altman, which is a wonderful framework for reflection:

• G: Gratitude—What brought you joy?
• L: Learning—What lessons did you gain from challenges?
• A: Accomplishments—What are you proud of?
• D: Delights—What surprised and uplifted you?

When I look back on 2024 here are my reflections on my professional life:

• Gratitude: For the privilege of working with inspiring leaders and teams who model courage and authenticity – your courage to work on yourselves is what fuels my purpose.
• Learning: From moments of uncertainty and fear that I would not be able to ‘help’ a client, I deepened my understanding of how staying fully present allowed us to co-create new possibilities.
• Accomplishments: I’m proud of empowering leaders to embrace their executive presence and enhance their leadership impact, creating profound changes in their careers and organisations.
• Delights: Witnessing the joy of transformation as leaders lean into the power of connection, purpose and self-awareness.

So during this holiday season I invite you to pause, and reflect using this model: What are you GLAD for?

I’d love to hear your reflections so please feel free to share them via email.

Thank you for being part of my 2024. Together we have navigated change, embraced challenges and made incredible strides and I’m excited to see what we create together in the year ahead.
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With love,
Sue

As the year draws to a close, the weight of constant demands seems to grow heavier. We’ve all heard the airplane safety instructions: “Put on your own oxygen mask before assisting others.” But how often do we live by that advice? For many professionals, year-end pressures magnify the relentless pace of work and life, leaving little time to recharge.

I see it in leaders who are burnt out—managing shrinking teams, adapting to constant change, and juggling personal commitments. The festive season, with its social obligations and family expectations, often adds to the pressure instead of easing it. Many were raised believing that asking for help signals weakness and that powering through every challenge is the only option. In today’s hyperconnected world, where responding to an email at 11pm feels mandatory, this mindset has become unsustainable.

Would you expect your car to run without refuelling or your favourite athlete to perform without recovery time? No? Then why expect it of yourself?

At this time of year, it’s especially important to manage your energy across four areas: Physical, Emotional, Mental, and Spiritual. Yet too often, we muddle through our days on autopilot, sustained by caffeine and skipping breaks to push through just one more task. And it’s worse now—when deadlines loom, annual targets demand to be met, and personal to-do lists grow ever longer.

Neglecting your wellbeing doesn’t just impact you. It ripples outward, affecting your team, your loved ones, and your ability to lead with impact. As a leader, you set the tone. When you prioritise your wellbeing, you inspire others to do the same.

What can you do?

The first thing I invite you to do is reframe self-care: Self-care isn’t selfish—it’s strategic. Start by taking small, meaningful steps to reset your energy:

• Schedule a pause. Block out time for reflection or a restorative activity.
• Reprioritise. Focus on what truly matters and let go of non-essentials.
• Set boundaries. Resist the urge to answer every late-night email.
• Connect with joy. Make space for what rejuvenates you, whether it’s time with loved ones or simply a moment of quiet.

The festive season can be a time of renewal, but only if you allow yourself the grace to rest and recharge.
As this year closes, reflect on how you’re showing up for yourself and others. How are you fuelling your body, mind, and spirit? Are you leading with intention? The best gift you can give—to your team, your loved ones, and yourself—is a healthier, more energised you.

Let’s Begin the New Year Strong

I work with leaders to create actionable strategies that boost energy and resilience, even during challenging times. If you’re ready to reclaim your energy and lead by example, let’s talk.
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With love,
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Sue

The stories we tell matter—the ones we share with others and the ones we quietly repeat to ourselves.
These stories carry our values and define how we view power, leadership, and our place in the world. They subtly shape our behaviours and interactions, often without us realising.

Stories don’t just entertain; they validate experiences, broaden perspectives, and challenge assumptions. I see this in action at Belvoir St Theatre, where I’ve been both a devoted attendee and a Board member.

Belvoir's commitment to inclusivity brings diverse voices—First Nations Australians, migrant communities, and the LGBTQ+ community—to the stage, giving their stories space to resonate. This inclusivity reflects my own values in leadership: authentic, open-minded, and focused on raising others’ voices.
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When we see ourselves represented, we feel less isolated, and when we’re introduced to stories different from our own, we gain empathy and insight.

Leaders, too, can apply these principles by re-evaluating the stories they tell themselves. We all have personal narratives that shape our careers, whether consciously or unconsciously. By recognising these stories, leaders can understand how they’re shaping their perceptions of power, success, and influence, allowing them to lead with greater empathy and authenticity.

Recently, I invited clients and colleagues to Well-Behaved Women at Belvoir, a song cycle that reimagines the lives of trail-blazing women throughout history. It was a powerful exploration of perspective-shifting questions:

How does the story of original sin change through Eve’s eyes? What might Mary Magdalene have felt as the only woman at the Last Supper? How would Shakespeare’s sister have shaped literature if given the freedom he had? And why did an empty fruit bowl cause a media frenzy around Julia Gillard?

These questions serve as reminders to challenge the stories we accept.

In my work as a coach, I encourage leaders to reframe their stories. Consider: What stories have defined your journey? Are there outdated narratives that might be holding you back? How have your ideas about power and leadership been shaped by the stories you were brought up with?

Reframing the stories you tell yourself can be transformative, opening you to new possibilities, providing not only a fresh outlook on your potential but also inspiring those around you to do the same and increasing your impact as a leader.

Are you ready to explore your stories?

With love,
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Sue

A former colleague recently asked me, “Sue, how are you always so positive?” I had to laugh because, as much as I might seem optimistic, the truth is I don’t always feel that way. I, too, have moments where everything feels heavy—stuck in that "bleh" mood. The difference is that I’ve learned how to shift my state quickly when I notice it happening.

But feeling "bleh" isn’t always bad. Sometimes, those low-energy moments are trying to tell us something. Before rushing to shake them off, it’s worth asking, “What’s really going on here?” Stress, overwhelm, or disconnection might be at play. Acknowledging these feelings can be a first step towards growth.

How Do I Shift My State?

While I try to recognise what lies beneath the surface, I also know how important it is not to stay stuck.
Here’s what I do to reset:

1. Get Curious About the Feeling
Before changing anything, I pause and check in with myself. Negative emotions are often valuable signals. Stress might mean I’m stretched too thin, or boredom could indicate I need a new challenge. Asking, “What do I need right now?” helps bring clarity before deciding how to act.

2. Break the Physical Stagnation
Movement helps me reset. Recently, I went bushwalking in the Blue Mountains, and the combination of moving through nature and fresh air did wonders for my mindset. Even if you can’t escape into the bush, research shows that simply standing barefoot on grass or gazing at a tree can improve wellbeing. It’s all about reconnecting with nature in ways that are accessible to you.

3. Choose What to Focus On
People often think positivity means ignoring the hard stuff, but it’s really about recognising what’s in your control and what isn’t. When I can’t control a situation, I remind myself to let go. By focusing on what I can influence—my attitude, my actions—I shift my energy where it matters most. This helps me feel more empowered, even in difficult moments.

4. Find Meaning in the "Bleh"
Those low moments can often point to deeper issues. Sometimes, feeling "bleh" signals that I’ve taken on too much or that I’m avoiding something. Instead of glossing over it, I explore the feeling. What’s it telling me? Often, this reflection helps me find the motivation for my next move.

A Gentle Reminder

While I might seem like the eternal optimist, I feel “bleh” like everyone else. The difference isn’t in staying positive all the time—it’s in knowing how to navigate those feelings and use them as a guide rather than a barrier.

If you’re feeling a bit off lately, I encourage you to pause, reflect, and shift—whether it’s your mindset or environment. Sometimes,the smallest changes make the biggest difference.

With love,
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Sue

What happens when you’ve been frantically delivering to deadlines and then you’ve finally completed that project?

When there is a lull in the workload? Or rather, (because the to do list never goes away!) there is a lull in the urgency of what you’re working on?

Two clients raised this recently – the challenge of sustaining motivation when the pace has slowed down.

On the one hand they really wanted the pace to slow down because it was not sustainable in terms of their own wellbeing but on the other hand, they now feel like they are sitting in limbo and don’t know what to do with themselves.

Michelle* described how she couldn’t seem to settle on anything and subsequently feels like she has wasted her day. Rachael* talked about a lack of motivation, an inability to get enthused about anything. And the problem wasn’t that they didn’t still have many things to do, after all both women are CFOs in busy organisations.

Have you experienced similar responses?

Many of my clients have Achiever as one of their top strengths in the Clifton Strengthsfinder assessment and whilst this has been incredibly valuable in getting them to this stage in their career, as they are very action oriented and driven to get stuff done, it does have a shadow side (as does every strength) which can mean that unless they are delivering something tangible they become restless and dissatisfied.

Do you recognise this in yourself?

One of the challenges with this response becomes the need to keep ‘doing’ at the expense of creating space for new thinking to emerge. It is impossible to shift to a higher level of big picture thinking and taking a more strategic approach unless you consciously shift your approach.

So what could you do when you find yourself in this state of limbo?

• Take a break – our bodies and minds are not designed to constantly be running at a million miles an hour so taking time for rest and recovery is critical. Athletes do not operate at race day intensity every day and nor should you! As a corporate athlete you also need to pace yourself if you are going to be in your career for the long haul!
• Actively shift your focus to something outside of work entirely. Consciously focus on what you could do with some extra time with your family or to pursue a long-forgotten hobby – work less for a while with the knowledge that you will be busy again soon!
• Reframe what achievement looks like – creating new ideas and building strategy may require reading and talking to others both inside and outside of your own business without a tangible outcome right away.
• Reconnect with your purpose – spend some time dreaming about your aspirations and how you want to BE in the world

What has worked for you when you’ve found yourself in this state in the past?

If you’d like help to recalibrate your mindset around work and what being busy or successful means to you then let’s chat.

With love,
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Sue

“In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks.”

This quote by John Muir perfectly captures the transformative power of stepping into the natural world. Nature offers a shift in perspective and can stimulate clarity of thought.

I recently spent four days hiking the Larapinta Trail in Central Australia. The rugged terrain demanded my full attention, as the rocky path made it all too easy to twist an ankle. I found myself leaving behind the clutter of my mind and becoming fully attuned to my body. This shift in focus brought a sense of gratitude for what my body is capable of. When we slow down and immerse ourselves in the landscape, we realize how often we race through life without truly being present.

Walking through the vast wilderness made me think of the leadership metaphor of stepping off the dance floor and onto the balcony to gain a broader perspective. The breathtaking vistas of ancient land instilled a sense of awe. I felt small incomparison, but rather than feeling insignificant, I was uplifted by the deep connection to nature and its timeless beauty. It was like walking in "the land that time forgot."

At the same time, the small details of the desert came into focus—delicate flowers thriving in harsh conditions. This reminded me of our own resilience in the face of challenges. There is beauty all around, if only we take the time to notice.

I also felt privileged to walk in the land of Australia's First Nations people. Learning from Rayleen Brown of Kungkas Can Cook, who shared insights about bush tucker and the communities she works with, added depth to the experience.

The final hike up Mount Sonder began at 2:30 am, under cover of darkness. Walking in single file, with only the light of a headtorch, the climb was cold, windy, and outside my comfort zone. When the going is tough, focusing on one step at a time is the best approach.

At the summit, we were greeted by a stunning sunrise, illuminating the landscape in vibrant reds, greens, and browns. The journey back down was filled with a sense of accomplishment.

Like many of life’s journeys, this hike could have been done alone, but the company of passionate guides and like-minded travellers made the experience truly special.

“I only went out for a walk and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in.” John Muir

My questions for you this week are:

• When do you take the time to look within?
• How do you find the space to shift between perspectives?
• How often do you step out of your office and reconnect with nature?
• Who are your guides and fellow travellers?

With love,
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Sue

Am I being too authentic?

A client asked me this question, which prompted a reflection on whether that is even possible.

Having recently started in a new senior leadership role she was bringing all of her zest for life and desire to connect deeply with people to her new team, and some of them appeared to be rather overwhelmed by this approach, so she was wondering whether she should be “less authentic”.

For many people the idea of authenticity suggests that there is only one way of being their authentic self yet there are many theories which suggest we have multiple selves which opens the possibility that I can express myself in many different ways and they are all authentic, albeit context specific.

I find the concepts of inner parts very helpful in this regard – not in the sense of a multiple personality disorder (!!) but rather in the sense that I can say “part of me wants to go out dancing with my friends tonight and part of me would like a quiet night!”

When we see ourselves as multiple parts / selves we can see that those parts may choose to express themselves differently in different circumstances. This can also be reflected in 360 degree feedback when we see that various groups of evaluators perceive us quite differently – for example our direct reports may experience us as caring and nurturing whereas our peers may find us stand offish and aloof.

Through this multiplicity lens we may identify that when we are leading our own team our ‘caring self’ comes to the fore and when we are interacting with other senior leaders our ‘inner critic self’ comes out strongly, which causes us to remain distant.

Dr Paul Lawrence and Dr Suzi Skinner include ‘Know Yourselves’ in their model of wise leadership in their book The Wise Leader: A Practical guide for Thinking Differently About Leadership and they describe authenticity in this context as

“the extent to which our different selves are aware of each other and work together collaboratively.”

One of my clients was frequently highly critical with his colleagues yet in our conversations I had learnt that he was also coach of a junior sports team so we explored how he could bring more of his ‘coaching self’ to his work conversations so that he could encourage and empower people rather than berate them.

Welcoming all our various parts allows us to consider which parts of ourselves we want to bring more of to each interaction. All of them bring value in certain situations.

So no, I don’t believe my client was being ‘too authentic’ but she did need to work out ways to balance her more exuberant and loving self with her focused and thoughtful self in order to work effectively with this new group of people!

Which of your selves are the people around you experiencing? How might you encourage your selves to work together more effectively?

I would love to hear how this concept of multiple selves lands with you.

With love,
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Sue

Last week I posed that question to a webinar audience of nearly 200 leaders and the response horrified me!
95% of respondents said Yes!!

I have also had that experience in my career - I often said I trusted the CEO as far as I could throw her! And I know that operating in that environment drained my motivation and diminished my performance.

Asking the webinar attendees how they felt during this period of their career delivered some illuminating responses:

“like a pawn in a game”

“disengaged and anxious”

“unsupported and reluctant to share information”

“exposed”

“a lot of wasted energy”

“paranoia: am I being gaslit?”

Now common sense tells us that if this is how we feel then we are not doing our best work so as a leader it is critical that you think about how you build trust.

At the heart of trust is the sense that a leader is walking their talk and that their actions are aligned with their articulated values – your personal values need to be seen in your behaviours.

And nothing is more useless than a list of corporate values on a poster on the wall if they are not being put into action everyday. These organisational values need to be clearly understood in terms of the associated behaviours because the behaviour you tolerate from your team members signals what the values are regardless of what the words on the wall say.

So when I ask if you are walking your talk that begs the question: What is your leadership talk? What are the values which are important to you and how do you intend to bring them to your leadership role?

If this is something you are struggling to identify then I invite you to download this exercise and if you are already clear on your values I encourage you to reflect on how you articulate them at work.

I would love to hear how you go with this exercise and what you learn about yourself in the process.

With love,
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Sue

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Who else was glued to the Olympics? Wasn’t it fantastic?! So many incredible achievements to be inspired by.

Like so many people across the world (and certainly it felt like every woman or girl I spoke to!) I was entranced by Simone Biles’s achievements in the gymnastics – she truly is quite extraordinary. Having done gymnastics as a kid (albeit very poorly) I am always amazed at what is possible!

And today I want to focus on something I learned in the Netflix documentary Simone Biles Rising because it struck me as being something that afflicts so many successful people I work with.

Following her first Olympics back in 2016, at which she was so successful (winning 4 gold and 1 bronze medals), Simone fell into a depression. Just as everyone expected her to be riding high she came crashing down.

And this is something I am sure many of you have experienced: you have achieved your goals and yet you feel empty, or you immediately shift your focus to what’s next, not taking a moment to celebrate your success.

This leads us to constantly be looking at the next mountain to climb – I’ll be happy when I get that promotion, or when I have the C-suite title, or when I earn $xx. Yet each time we feel good for a minute and then we fall back to earth with a bump.

This phenomenon is known as the arrival fallacy (the term is credited to Dr Tal Ben-Shahar) and it describes the illusion that if we can just achieve this one thing then we will be happy, and the truth is that there is no arriving. We find ourselves in a loop which can lead to constant state of dissatisfaction and stress as we are always chasing the next thing.

Biologically what happens is that as we are chasing and hit the big goals our brains are flooded with dopamine. After the goal is reached the dopamine levels fall, and our mood returns to its baseline level or even lower as the happiness we expected has not materialised.

I know from my own experience that it can be very easy to get caught in this arrival fallacy, thinking that if I had the next promotion I would be happy and I can tell you it only ever worked temporarily!

Be honest with yourself, are you expecting an external event or achievement to provide you with lasting happiness and fulfilment?
So what can we do?

• Take time to celebrate your victories, even the small ones and practice gratitude for how far you have come at this stage
• Connect more deeply to the purpose underlying the goal so that you can find fulfilment in the process and sustain your motivation to keep moving towards your aspirations
• Learn to ground yourself in the present moment, appreciating what you have and where you are right now rather than always looking to the horizon – one of the things I was very struck by when listening to Simone Biles is that she loves to be in the gym
• Develop confidence in who you are, without the titles or the status

This work starts from the inside out and understanding yourself for as the old saying goes:

“Wherever you go, there you are”

With love,
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Sue

Everyone who knows me knows I love to travel and in my last newsletter I shared how I am holding onto my holiday feelings through a gratitude practice and consciously savouring the moment.

As part of that practice, I want to share some further reflections which prove that holidays are always a great idea and some associated questions to help bring the learning into my everyday work life:

Awe: While we were in Sicily, Mount Etna erupted. Though I wasn’t near the eruption itself, being close to the volcano a few days later, with it still spewing smoke and ash, was a humbling reminder of nature's raw power and our fleeting presence on this planet.

Awe shifts our attention away from ourselves and reminds us that we are part of something bigger – how might that shift affect how I engage with challenges in my work?

New Challenges: Travelling always brings new challenges, and this trip was no exception. Navigating the Sicilian roads and trying to speak the local language pushed me out of my comfort zone. These challenges were daunting but also incredibly rewarding and enriched my travel experience.

How can I ensure that I keep pushing the limits of my comfort zone and keep learning and growing?

Creativity: Exploring new cities,with their hidden gems around every corner, was a delight. The Greek amphitheatre in Taormina, blending ancient history with modern life, left me in awe of human creativity and resilience.

A great exercise to enhance creative thinking is to ask myself how can I find connections between two apparently completely different objects / events?

Friendships: Reconnecting with old friends is one of life’s greatest pleasures. The best friendships endure time and distance, and we found ourselves picking up right where we left off. These reunions, filled with love, honesty, and countless glasses of wine, were marked by tears and laughter, reinforcing the value of these cherished bonds.

I have returned more determined than ever to nurture my relationships: who do I need to call this week?
Laughter & Playfulness: Life can get serious, especially with demanding work schedules. But rediscovering play is essential. Joining the kids on ocean inflatables, we laughed until we cried. Those moments of silliness reminded me not to take life too seriously and to embrace the joy of play. As my 23 year old said: “I hope I am never too old to do this!”

How will I introduce more play into my work life? When we work in a serious role, having fun becomes even more important so I am going to be introducing more playful activities into my coaching and workshops.

Think about your last holiday and ask yourself what can I bring into everyday life?

And then it must be time to plan the next holiday!!

If you want to rethink how you work and lead, then let’s have a chat about how to make changes so that you get greater satisfaction from your life.

With love,
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Sue