I have been doing a lot of reflection. Most of our decisions, reactions, and beliefs are shaped by layers of experience… years of wins, losses, relationships, failures, hopes, and disappointments that quietly shape who we become.

Leadership has a funny way of teaching us the same lesson over and over until we finally learn it.

Do you know what the secrets are? After three decades of developing my leadership skills, I've realised that the best leaders never stop growing.

Real influence doesn't come from titles or job descriptions; it comes through relationships, trust and consistency from leaders serving their people.

Do you know who is the hardest person to lead on your team? The hardest person to lead is the one looking back at me in the mirror every morning.

That was the day I began to understand what authentic leadership is about. Leadership is not about control or titles; it's about influence and relationships. It's not about being the smartest person in the room or having all the solutions. It's about service, trust, and creating an environment where others can thrive.

How many beautifully written strategy documents end up filed away, never looked at again? Too many to count. Here’s the truth I’ve seen over and over: a strategy without a culture of learning is like a map with no ability to adapt when the roads change. It looks impressive, but it won’t get you where you need to go.

Over the last 30-plus years of my career, one of the biggest lessons I've had to accept is this: the world never stops changing. Technologies that once took decades to mature and become mainstream now arrive, scale, and disrupt whole industries in just a few years. That pace can feel overwhelming at times. But what it has taught me is that a continuous learning approach is not optional. To stay relevant, being curious is essential for me to survive.

I was reminded at the end of last week of just how important it is to be part of a truly great team, because who you surround yourself with shapes not only your Success, but also your Growth. No one can know, understand, or do everything alone, not even with the help of a good AI assistant!