G.R.O.W or G.R.O.W.N

I know most of us are in a bit of a state of shock as the first month of the year has already drawn to a close. ⏳

Status Check - how are you doing with those goals?

Many conversations I’ve had lately centre around how the year started with so much energy, yet by the end of January, that momentum has waned. When I dissected these discussions, one recurring theme stood out: those struggling the most aren’t talking enough about their “Why”. 🤔

We often go into automatic “doing” mode, ticking off tasks with a strong Get Stuff Done (GSD) attitude. 💪🏾 However, when fatigue sets in, motivation starts to dwindle.

What is G.R.O.W?

For those unfamiliar, the GROW Model in coaching is a powerful framework designed to help individuals achieve their goals through a structured thought process. It stands for:

• Goal – What do you want to achieve? Setting a clear, specific, and meaningful objective is the foundation of success. This could be a career milestone, a personal development target, or a transformational change you wish to make.

• Reality – Where are you now? This step involves an honest assessment of your current situation, identifying the obstacles and opportunities that might impact your progress.

• Options – What could you do? Brainstorming multiple strategies to bridge the gap between where you are and where you want to be. Ensure you consider different pathways before committing to a course of action.

• Will – What will you do? This is about commitment and accountability—determining the specific steps you will take and ensuring you have the necessary support to follow through.

But what if we expanded it to G.R.O.W.N?

The game-changing “N” for me is Narrative.

Not just the story you tell yourself, but the one you share with those around you—your community, your colleagues, your support system. When you articulate your “Why”, people buy into your journey. If you surround yourself with the right people, they’ll understand their role in helping you achieve your goals. 🎯

The Power of Shared Narratives

I fall into this trap too, which is why I’ve activated another superpower: accountability through my inner circle. I’ve given them permission to observe and challenge me when they sense I’m out of alignment with my goals. 🛑

It’s tough to hear at times—especially when I’ve made excuses. But time and time again, I’m reminded: we are not islands- we thrive in community. If we truly want to level up, we must be open to both challenge and support. 🤝🏾

What’s Your Narrative?

For every goal you’ve set this year, I invite you to revisit it and ensure you can clearly articulate your “Why”.

Ask yourself:

• Who does this impact? Understanding this helps you anticipate potential obstacles and prepare accordingly.

• Who do I need to communicate with? Keeping the right people informed fosters alignment and reduces friction.

Personally, when I’m navigating high-intensity periods, I let my inner circle and clients know what’s coming up. This might mean being less responsive due to prioritisation. While, ultimately, your decisions are yours, people feel more at ease when they have a sense of what’s happening. Transparency creates trust. 💬

Planning, reflection, and communication are key. Take the time to pause, plan, and share so that you give yourself the best shot at achieving your goals—with clarity, momentum, and support. 🚀

January in Review 📆

It’s been a whirlwind start to the year! Some highlights:

✅ Graduated from the Win Trade X HSBC Supplier Readiness Programme 🎓 ✅ Delivered my “Be the CEO of Your Career” workshop with Nasdaq ✅ Launched Pause & Pivot at the Power Station with Katie, Being Human Well 🔄 ✅ Released my podcast episode with Verna Myers 🎙️ ✅ Inspired by meeting Simon Squibb 🌟 ✅ Worked remotely from Colombia 🌍 ✅ Latin Dance Bootcamp in Medellín 💃🏾 ✅ Dived into the only 7-colour sea in San Andrés 🌊 ✅ Absorbed the vibrancy of Cartagena ✅ Returned home to celebrate the Great British Business Woman Awards 🏆

World View

I remain acutely aware of what’s happening in the world right now. 🌍 I am having daily conversations within my community and with clients. However, until the landscape settles, I won’t be flooding your inbox with opinions—I trust that you already have a sense of where I stand.

My work continues with the intention of building better humans—who in turn, create better businesses. Sustainable, innovative organisations require diverse, empowered individuals. Silencing voices and blocking necessary change will never be acceptable in my book. ❌

I hope that despite the noise, we continue to find each other, support each other, and apply the lessons from the awakening in 2020/21. Those Allyship workshops? Let’s not leave them in the past. 🔄

With Peace, Love and Determination

Before you go

It’s official—I’ll be at SXSW London this June!

Our panel discussion, “Reverse Mentoring: Redefining Leadership for a New Era of Inclusion”, has been accepted in the Workplace & People track, chosen from over 3,000 applications. 

Thank you for voting and supporting us!

I’ll be joined by two inspirational panellists:

✨ Sean Doyle, CEO, British Airways ✈️ 

✨ Angela Tangas, Former CEO, dentsu.

With the brilliant Isabel Berwick, Financial Times’ “Working It” lead, moderating our session. 🎙️

WOW—I couldn’t be happier! This conversation is more relevant than ever, and I can’t wait to see some of you there. 🌍💡