A blog about creating people-centred organisations, teams, products and leaders
Strategy: Creating effective guardrails for empowered teams
Many people struggle with strategy. What is it? And more importantly, how does it work? Here, I share a framework for aligning everyone from organizational vision to day-to-day decision-making in teams.
10 Strengths for successful transformation
When it comes to transformation, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach that works for everyone (otherwise, we’d see a lot more companies succeed in their transformation efforts!). But in my years as a transformation coach and consultant, I’ve observed some patterns that the most successful companies tend to have in common. These are superpowers that make it easier for them to make major changes—and for these changes to ripple out across the organisation and have a lasting effect.
Why so many teams get agile wrong—and how to avoid this
As a transformation coach, I've heard countless tales of dread from all kinds of practitioners and leaders across small and large organisations as they transform towards agile ways of working. But its misapplication may be the real culprit. Join me as we explore the distinction between agile values, principles, and practices, to uncover the keys to successful transformation. We’ll navigate key challenges to pave the way for true organizational agility.
Highlights from the MTP Leadership Forum
Mind the Product was back this year with its Leadership Forum and I was so thrilled to attend! Some big takeaways include Georgie Smallwood’s tips for clear communication and collaboration and Matt LeMay’s take on how to become a grown-up product leader. I’ve gathered a few highlights and favourite moments here.
How Horses Can Help You Become a More Effective Leader
As a long-time coach of leaders, I’ve discovered that one of the most effective ways to help people answer their coaching questions comes from a very unlikely place: a round pen with horses.
Yes, you read that correctly: horses.
Prepare for the Year Ahead with This Simple Reflection Exercise
I wanted to share a quick guide to how you can approach your own end of year reflection. Based on what surfaces during this exercise, you can create a strategy and an action plan for the year ahead for yourself and your practice.
Announcing Design Leadership Retreats
I’m thrilled to announce that I’ve teamed up with Mags Hanley to offer a new series of retreats for both emerging and established design leaders!
Is 1:1 Leadership Coaching Right for You?
Stepping into a leadership role is an exciting milestone, but it also comes with a lot of ambiguity and self-doubt. A coach is an experienced thought partner who can help you think things through, identify unknown unknowns, and grow your capability.
Want to Be a Good Leader? Learn to Ask Great Questions
How can you shift away from telling your teams what to do and give them the power to make their own decisions? One critical part of this mindset shift involves asking good questions.
Mini Case Study: Transforming the Operating Model at a European Financial Services Company
What does it mean to work with Northshore on your digital transformation journey? Here is a mini case study based on our operating model redesign with a leading European financial services company.
How Are Your Digital Transformation Efforts REALLY Going?
Whenever we come to a milestone like the beginning of a new year or quarter, there’s a natural tendency to assess how we’re doing. Are we on track to meet any goals we’ve set for ourselves and our organisation?
Employees Are Ready for the Great Resignation—Are You?
So how do you attract and retain the talent you need to be successful? You don’t necessarily need to be a big-name brand to achieve this. It all starts with an operating model that creates the right environment.
Mini Case Study: Helping a Leading European Insurance Company Navigate Transformation
What does it mean to work with Northshore on your transformation journey? Here is a mini case study based on our engagement with a leading European insurance company.
Why Updating Your Operating Model is Key to Transformation
Having the right operating model for your context is fundamental to successful transformation. Organisations can’t maintain most of their existing operating models and hope to drive the level of innovation and value that they are depending upon for ongoing success.
The Missing Link Between Strategy and Delivering Exceptional Customer Value
How do you connect organisational strategy with everyday work? I often hear from companies where there’s no connective tissue between where they want to go (the strategy, mission, and vision) and what people are currently working on (the day-to-day work of delivering a customer experience).
This gap can lead to all sorts of trouble.
Transformation Won’t Work if You Keep Making This Mistake
Here’s what happens: Leaders often agree with transformation in theory. It sounds great—setting clear objectives, becoming more customer-centric, delivering more value.
But in practice, transformation isn’t just about changing everyone else. As a leader, you need to change, too.
UX: The Key Ingredient for a Customer-Centric Organisation
It’s become a common refrain for CEOs to say they want their companies to be “customer-centric.” This sounds like an excellent goal. So what’s the problem?
For too many companies, “customer-centricity” is a soundbite that doesn’t really mean anything. Yet many already have the tools they need to be customer-centric. It’s just a matter of shining the spotlight on them.
What Do We Mean by Transformation?
Transformation is one of those buzzwords that feels hard to avoid these days. Every company claims to be “doing transformation,” but the term is so vague and open-ended that there’s not a lot of consistency from one organisation to the next.
A Guide to Choosing a Business Transformation Partner
If you’ve decided your organisation is ready for transformation, that’s a huge first step. Congratulations! Now comes the hard work of finding a partner to guide you through this process.
You’ll quickly discover that there is no shortage of options today.

