Thinking, Reading and Laughing Time
To you, my thinking partner
Welcome to Spring, it’s here with that gorgeous brightness which brings me joy every year. We see the first snowdrops and crocuses and then some daffodils as we come into March. We also have this changeable weather, cold, warm; dry then lashing with rain, calm and then sudden squalls. As I write this Spring weather reminds me of the unpredictability of life.
Most of us like to plan, and then try to control the outcome in line with our plan. The reality is often more like our Spring weather. We can have a plan or a vision but often how that comes about is not what we expected. Being at ease with life, and trusting that the Universe will provide what I need is what I try to practice. One of my stronger inner critics or saboteurs (explained more below) is the Controller so this letting go can be a challenge for me at times. Read below some insight and tools which can help with having a more easeful perspective and way of being.
Thought for today/ A reason to Smile
I am a reader more than a TV or Movie person. I am part of a gorgeous book club of neighbours which provides lots of suggestions for different types of books. Two books I have read recently which I recommend to you are:
· The Echo Chamber John Boyne
· The Wedding People Alison Espach
Both these books are laugh out loud books which are a great antidote to our challenging news world just at the moment. The Echo Chamber is send up of social media within the context of a high profile family living in London. The Wedding People is set in Newport, Rhode Island. It’s about a troubled single lady who checks into a suite at a resort hotel which has been taken over by a controlling bride for her luxury wedding bash. I hope you enjoy them.
Insights & Inspiration
Moving from Leadership Coach to Thinking Partner
As I mentioned in my last newsletter, my recent focus is moving more and more to creating open thinking environments where my clients have time and space to work through what’s going on in their heads - using focussed listening and no interruptions improves the quality of their thinking. As a client’s ‘Thinking Partner’ my role is to allow their thoughts to come in waves and provide perspective and challenge through incisive questions. While in practice a coach may ask similar questions, the change in title to Thinking Partner, helps me better let go of the outcome ( which is always the clients) to focus on creating the environment & process to support my clients to think better which I turn always delivers better outcomes.
Adult Friendships – Why Some Thrive and Others Fade
One of the biggest aha moments I had while listening to Let Them by Mel Robbins was her insights on adult friendships. It helped me understand why some friendships thrive while others naturally drift apart.
Mel highlights three key factors:
· Energy – That natural chemistry you feel with some people
· Proximity – Seeing someone often helps build a bond.
· Time – Life stages impact who we connect with deeply.
When I reflected on my own relationships, this framework made perfect sense. Some friendships have flourished simply because we’re in the same phase of life, while others have faded—not due to conflict, but because our paths have naturally diverged.
Have you noticed these patterns in your own friendships? Would love to hear your thoughts! And if you’re curious about my full take on Let Them, check out my latest blog here Let Them
Positive Intelligence – Bringing in your Sage and managing your Saboteurs
Finally, the Positive Intelligence framework and assessment is a tool which supports you rewire your brain to think and act with greater positivity, clarity, and confidence. The core idea is that our mind can be your best friend (sage) or your worst enemy (saboteur).
Sage - This is your inner wisdom, guiding you with curiosity, empathy, and creativity.
Saboteurs - These are negative mental habits (like self-doubt, perfectionism, or fear) that hold you back.
As self-awareness is a critical component of leadership development, I use this tool regularly with my thinking partners to build awareness of both strengths and their inner critic.
If you would like to check it out you can find the link to the assessment here
