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Leading with compassion and kindness

The strongest leaders I've worked with haven't been the ones who ruled through fear or demanded perfection at every turn. They've been the ones who led with genuine care for their people. Compassionate leadership isn't about being soft - it's about being human. It means recognising that behind every deadline and deliverable is a person navigating their own challenges. It's about creating psychological safety where people feel valued enough to take risks, admit mistakes, and

Michael Mitchell

Dec 31 min read

Great leaders face challenges head on

In my experience, the difference between good leaders and great ones isn't that great leaders face fewer obstacles - it's that they don't flinch when challenges arise. I've watched leaders transform potential crises into opportunities simply by acknowledging problems early, gathering their teams, and saying "Here's what we're dealing with. Let's figure this out together." No deflection. No sugarcoating. Just honest assessment and clear action. The best leaders I've worked w

Michael Mitchell

Nov 271 min read

Why do leaders need to be self-aware?

Put simply, Leaders need self-awareness to better understand their strengths and weaknesses, which enables better decision-making, more effective communication, and a greater ability to inspire and build trust within their teams.  Self-aware leaders can manage their emotions and biases, adapt their leadership style, and create a positive work environment by cultivating openness and authenticity. Ultimately, this leads to improved team performance and a more successful organi

Michael Mitchell

Nov 41 min read

Why do organisations need the scrutiny of non-executive directors?

In any organisation, it's easy for groupthink to take hold. Executive teams, no matter how talented, can become insulated from external perspectives and challenging questions. This is where non-executive directors provide invaluable scrutiny. NEDs bring independent, objective challenge to boardroom decisions. They ask the difficult questions that executives might overlook or avoid. They test assumptions, probe strategies, and ensure decisions serve the long-term interests o

Michael Mitchell

Oct 231 min read

The Extra Mile: Why Face-to-Face Still Matters

Next week, I'm flying a few thousand miles to spend time with a client's senior leadership team. Booking the travel made me reflect on a fundamental question: Is in-person engagement worth investing time and resources? My answer remains a resounding yes. There's something irreplaceable about meeting people face-to-face, and especially if it's on their home turf. You pick up on nuances that video calls simply can't capture – the energy in the room, the unspoken dynamics be

Michael Mitchell

Aug 131 min read

Why great leaders don’t want to be the smartest person in the room

The most effective leaders I’ve worked with share one key trait: they question themselves. They don’t pretend to have all the answers; instead they actively seek out other perspectives, challenge their assumptions, and welcome being proven wrong. It’s not about ego. It’s about curiosity, humility, and a genuine drive to get things right, not just be right. Vulnerability isn’t a weakness in leadership. It’s the beginning of real growth.

Michael Mitchell

Jun 251 min read

Good organisational design = business success

Organisations that take time to thoughtfully design their structure to align with their strategy consistently outperform those that don't. I'm currently working with a client navigating this challenge, and it's reminded me of a common misconception: an org chart ≠ organisational design. These are the key principles for effective organisational design: Align structure with strategy Build capability strategically Design around roles, not individuals Invest time in the fou

Michael Mitchell

Jun 181 min read

Are We Overly Focused on Leadership?

In our endless pursuit of visionary leaders, we've neglected a critical truth: we need managers who can actually manage well. Good management isn't glamorous, but it's essential. Effective managers organise teams with precision, prioritise competing demands, delegate appropriately, and maintain situational awareness across projects and people. Much of my client work is focused on leadership development. It’s a no brainer – organisations need great leaders. Recently I was ta

Michael Mitchell

Mar 131 min read