Every Time You Say Yes to Something, You’re Saying No to Something Else

When Warren Buffett, one of the most successful investors in history, was asked about the secret to his remarkable career, his answer was both surprising and profound: “The difference between successful people and very successful people is that very successful people say no to almost everything.” Buffett’s approach underscores a

The Six Leadership Styles – real world examples

Leadership is not one-size-fits-all. Different situations and team dynamics call for different approaches, and effective leaders know when to adapt their style. Psychologist Daniel Goleman identified six primary leadership styles – coaching, affiliative, democratic, visionary, pacesetting and commanding – that each have unique benefits and challenges. In a previous post,

Why Self-Awareness is the Starting Point for Great Leadership

Satya Nadella, the CEO of Microsoft, is known not only for transforming the company’s culture but also for his deep sense of self-awareness, which he credits as being instrumental to his success as a leader. When Nadella took the reins in 2014, Microsoft was struggling to maintain relevance, and its

The Power of Humility in Leadership

Alan Mulally is the former CEO of Ford. When he joined Ford in 2006, the company was on the brink of bankruptcy. Instead of walking in with the iron-fist leadership style many expected, Mulally chose a different approach. At his first meeting with the senior leadership team, he asked for

Developing Emerging Leaders: Key Strategies for Success

Leadership, and the role leaders play, is more crucial than ever. Organisations that thrive are those that continuously develop their talent pipeline, particularly by focusing on developing emerging leaders. But what exactly is an emerging leader, and how can senior leaders effectively nurture these individuals to ensure they grow into

Mindful Leadership: The Heart of Strong Leadership and Communication

Leadership in theory and practice has evolved markedly since the turn of the century. These days, leaders are expected to be more than just strategic thinkers – they must be empathic communicators, resilient decision-makers, and emotionally intelligent mentors. One approach that embodies these qualities is mindful leadership. But what exactly

Work Smart, Not Hard – Getting the best out of you and your people

In the 21st Century world in which we now live, the age-old adage of “hard work pays off” is being challenged by a more modern and efficient approach: working smart. As leaders, it’s our responsibility to guide our teams towards strategies that maximise productivity while maintaining a healthy life-work balance.

The Power of Alliance Conversations in Leadership and Communication

In today’s fast-paced business environment, effective communication and strategic and personal alliances are crucial for success. One of the most powerful tools leaders can use to foster strong relationships and drive collaboration is the alliance conversation. This blog explores the concept of alliance conversations, also known as connecting conversations, their

Communication Styles: Adapt your Style to Elevate Your Leadership and Communication

Effective leadership and teamwork hinges on the ability to communicate proficiently with a diverse range of people and personality types. There are many models which identify personality type and communication styles; think Myers Briggs (MBTI) and DiSC, among others. Our preferred model at Full Potential is the Merrill-Reid Social Styles

Time Management Excellence: Tips and Tools for Leaders and their Teams

In a world where it feels like we have less time than ever, effective time management is a critical skill for leaders and their teams. Balancing responsibilities, meeting deadlines, and maintaining productivity can seem daunting. However, by focusing on a few key elements, anyone can improve their time management skills

Unlocking Authentic Leadership: Key Elements for Powerful Leadership and Communication

In today’s fast-paced and ever-changing business landscape, the role of a leader extends far beyond just giving orders. Authentic leadership has emerged as a crucial framework for guiding teams towards success. It’s not just about having a title or authority; it’s about embodying integrity, transparency, and effective communication. In this

Building Trust in Your Team: The Power of Empathy, Honesty, and Vulnerability

Trust is the cornerstone of any successful team and workplace environment. Without trust, communication falters, collaboration is stymied and productivity declines. As a leader, it’s your responsibility to cultivate an atmosphere where trust can flourish. In this blog, we’ll explore the importance of empathy, honesty, and vulnerability in building trust

What are Soft Skills and why are they key to professional success?

In today’s dynamic and competitive work environment, technical expertise alone is no longer sufficient for career growth and success. Employers increasingly value soft skills—the interpersonal attributes that enable effective communication, collaboration, and leadership. Investing in soft skills training is crucial for professionals aiming to excel in their careers. In this

Unlocking Elite Performance: The vital role of Leadership and Communication training and coaching

Consider some of the most visible elite performing organisations in our society: professional sporting team (this is equally true for people who work in performing arts – theatre, music and so on). They spend 95% of their time training and being coached in order to be the absolute elite for

Confirmation Bias – its impact on the way we think, what we believe and how we behave

In this increasingly global and complex world in which we live, our capacity to process information objectively, and to separate fact from fiction, or recognise the grey which exists all around us, is challenged as never before. The biggest hurdle to objective thinking is what we call confirmation bias, and

The First Law of Communication for Leadership and Communication Excellence

In the realm of effective leadership, the ability to communicate is paramount. However, the success of communication isn’t actually defined by the message sent. The communicator might have sent the best message they think possible, given their best speech or presentation, or delivered feedback in exactly the manner they wanted,

The Six Leadership Styles – What they are and when to use them

Effective leadership demands adaptability. Leaders must draw from a range of leadership styles, selecting the most appropriate one for each team, person or situation. In this blog, we’ll explore six leadership styles, what each style entails, when to use it, and providing a brief example for context.

How Vulnerability unlocks high-level Leadership and Communication

In the world of leadership, the word ‘vulnerability’ may not be the first that comes to mind. Often, leaders are associated with qualities like strength, decisiveness, and confidence. While these traits are undoubtedly important, there’s a hidden gem that plays a significant role in effective leadership and communication: vulnerability. In

The inextricable link between Trust and Leadership: building strong foundations through high-level communication

In the ever-evolving landscape of leadership, one fundamental element remains constant – trust. Trust is the cornerstone upon which successful leadership is built, and it’s intricately woven into the fabric of effective communication. In this blog, we will explore the profound connection between trust and leadership and delve into how

Unleashing Success: 7 essential questions for managers to ask their employees

As a leader and manager, one of your key responsibilities is to empower and guide your team members towards success. It’s a cornerstone of great leadership. To achieve this, it’s crucial to engage in effective communication that fosters growth and development. By asking the right questions from the outset, you

The Power of Influence: How to sharpen your influencing skills

In today’s fast-paced and interconnected world, the ability to influence others has become an invaluable skill. Whether you’re striving for success in your professional endeavours, personal relationships, or social interactions, mastering the art of influencing can greatly impact your outcomes. In this blog, we will delve into the key elements

The Art of Dynamic Presentations: 7 Key Elements for Success

It has been said that public speaking is the number 1 fear for the average person. Number 2 is death! Whether or not this is true, for many people, the thought of speaking in front of people is indeed daunting. Effective presentation skills are vital for organisational and personal success.

Emotionally Intelligent Communication: unlocking meaningful & trusting connections

In today’s fast-paced and interconnected world, effective communication skills are more crucial than ever. But it’s not just about conveying information; it’s about connecting with others on a deeper, more trusting level. At Full Potential, we call this ‘emotionally intelligent communication’. In this post, we’ll have a look at emotionally

What is the difference between Executive Coaching and Mentoring?

In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, professionals seeking personal and professional growth often turn to external sources of guidance and support. Two common avenues for this are executive coaching and mentorship. Although these terms are sometimes used interchangeably, and there is overlap between them, they represent different approaches to professional

Why Emotional Intelligence is integral to successful leadership

As a leader, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that your success is all about your intelligence (IQ), technical skills, ability to make quick decisions and your charisma. However, emotional intelligence (EQ or EI) is just as important as these other qualities, if not more so.

Leadership Development: The Key to Unlocking Organisational Performance and Success

Leadership development is an essential component of organisational success. In this blog post, we explore how leadership development and training can support and enhance organisational performance and success.

How does coaching differ from therapy?

When it comes to coaching and therapy, there can be some confusion on where each sit, and which might be the appropriate course of action.

Why should I engage a coach?

‘Why should I engage a coach?’ It’s a question you might be asking yourself…and it’s a very valid question. Coaching involves a commitment of both time and financial resources. It also requires mental and emotional application…after all, there’s not much point undertaking a development process half-hearted. If you’re going to

Leadership in the 21st century – a brave new world

Cast your mind back to the second half of the 20th century, if you will. Leadership, and management, had a distinctly one-dimensional flavour: this is what we’re doing, do as I say.