You can feel it before you can explain it.

You’ve built something real.
You’ve led through the highs and lows.
You’ve stayed strong when others wavered.

But now the real challenge isn’t external.

It’s internal.

It’s the quiet tension between holding on and letting lead.
The knowing that the way you got here…
isn’t enough to get you there.

This is Part 3 of the Identity Shift Series::
The Tension Between Letting Go and Leading On

For the leader who isn’t done
but knows it's time to evolve how they lead, who they are, and how they carry the mission.

If you feel yourself standing at that threshold
And would value a quiet space to think it through
Connect with me.
Sometimes one conversation changes everything.

You’ve always been the one who knows.

The one who delivers.
The one people turn to when things need sorted, fixed, led.

Competency built your reputation.
But lately—if you’re honest—it’s become something else.

A pressure.
A mask.
A quiet fear of not knowing, not keeping up, not being enough.

What if the performance of competency is costing you clarity?

This is Part 2 of the Identity Shift Series:
👇
The Mask of Competency

For the leader who’s done performing… and ready to lead from something more real.

You don’t need to prove anything.
You just need space to reconnect with what’s already there.

You probably won’t say it out loud. But you feel it. Especially in the moments that matter most.

There’s a moment you might recognise. It doesn’t appear in board reports or strategy decks. But it shows up in quiet pauses, late nights, and tough decisions.

“I don’t want to f*** it up.” And sometimes… “I don’t want to f*** it up again.”

This isn’t imposter syndrome. It’s not weakness. It’s the real weight of leadership.

Being the one who has to call it. To carry it. To make it happen when others are still looking for direction.

This is Part 1 of the Identity Shift Series:

Leadership in tough economic conditions is a lonely and daunting path. The weight of every decision is amplified, risks seem higher, and the pace of change is relentless. As a business owner or CEO, you are expected to provide answers, but who do you turn to when you need guidance?

Throughout 2024, the Alchemists Forum newsletters offered business owners and CEOs a wealth of insights, strategies, and practical tools to help them lead with purpose, build resilience, foster collaboration, and drive innovation. Each month addressed critical leadership challenges, providing a structured path for leaders to move from Good to Greater. Membership in the Alchemists Forum further amplified these learnings by offering a trusted, collaborative environment where ideas were transformed into meaningful actions.

On 13th December, the world lost one of its most profound thinkers and influential voices in the field of leadership and organisational change: Charles Handy. His passing marks the end of an era for those of us who were inspired by his ideas, his vision, and his revolutionary approach to business. For me, the loss feels deeply personal.

Carbon is the foundation of life and a critical element shaping our planet’s climate and ecosystems. Yet, the excess carbon in our atmosphere and oceans—driven by human activity—has disrupted the natural balance, fuelling the climate crisis. As business leaders, understanding carbon’s role, its origins, and its potential for regeneration is essential for driving meaningful change.

As a business owner or CEO, you’ve likely felt it: the loneliness that comes with being at the top. It’s an undeniable reality of leadership. The decisions you make ripple through your business, your team, and your life. The responsibility you carry is yours alone—something no one else can fully understand or share.

Running a business demands constant decision-making, clarity amidst chaos, and a relentless focus on growth. As a business owner or CEO, you often face the dual challenge of solving today’s problems while laying the groundwork for tomorrow’s success—or your eventual exit.

By balancing Active Stress with Active Rest, we not only enhance our performance but also nurture our physical, emotional, and mental well-being.

As we enter Movember, a month dedicated to raising awareness and support for men’s health, it’s a timely moment to explore how business leaders can address not only their professional challenges but also their mental and emotional well-being.

Your Mission to Transform Yourself, Your Leadership Team, and Your Business to Embrace ESG and the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

As a business owner or CEO, navigating uncertainty and adversity is an inevitable part of leadership. To successfully lead through these challenges, one must balance two essential elements: hope for the future and a clear-eyed understanding of current reality. This duality is captured in a powerful concept known as the Stockdale Paradox.

As a business owner and CEO, leadership is a journey shaped by insights, experiences, and the people you encounter along the way. For me, one of the most transformative leadership experiences came from studying the turnaround of Harley-Davidson.

As a business owner or CEO, confronting and embracing dyslexia can be both empowering and challenging. Dyslexia, often misunderstood as a limitation, can also be a source of untapped potential and strength.

Business peer groups have proven to be transformative environments for CEOs and business owners, offering collective wisdom, accountability, and support.

Alan Branagh, a seasoned performance coach with over 40 years of global corporate experience, has built his coaching philosophy on lessons learned directly from two of the greatest pioneers in performance coaching: Sir John Whitmore and Tim Gallwey.

In the world of elite sports, success hinges on more than just talent; it requires expert coaching that refines skills, enhances mental resilience, and sharpens strategic thinking. This same model of coaching, grounded in sports and business psychology, is increasingly recognised for its transformative impact on business leaders.

The journey from being a business owner to becoming a business leader is a transformative process that requires more than just a change in title—it necessitates a profound shift in identity, mindset, and approach.

As a business owner and leader, I've always been driven by the pursuit of success—growth, profitability, and market leadership. But over time, I realised that true leadership involves more than just achieving external milestones.