Yesterday I had planned to go for a walk. And yet…I spent 30 minutes avoiding it. You know the voice: “You don’t have to”, “It won’t matter if you skip it”, “You can do it later”. My mind had a full-blown argument ready to go. It sounded reasonable and very convincing. It always does.

But then there was my body, underneath all that noise. My body was saying “We’re going”. Most people think it’s about motivation or discipline or getting in the mood.

It’s not. It’s about which voice you’re choosing to follow.

In every organisation, there are talented individuals who make significant contributions behind the scenes, who often go unnoticed. Encouraging Quiet Achievers to apply for leadership roles can be a challenge for leaders, especially when these individuals tend to downplay their abilities, avoid the spotlight, or are overlooked due to their reserved nature. This article explores strategies for encouraging Quiet Achievers to step into leadership roles.

In 2021, I was facing my boss, about to do something life-changing. After more than 20 years as an industrial chemist, I was handing in my resignation. I had decided: I would no longer be controlled by the constraints of a large organisation and a typical Monday to Friday work week. Instead, I chose to fulfill my deep-seated desire to help others, every single day. I learned many lessons on this journey, and three stood out as the most pivotal…