Is it time to be brave?

This wasn’t what I’d envisaged writing about in the first Vibrant Newsletter of 2025, but perhaps—like me—you’ve found yourself torn lately. Torn between keeping your head down, waiting for the world to calm down… and standing up, speaking out, and being counted.

If so, you’re not alone. It feels like the world is on fire—and in some places, like California, it quite literally is. With conflict at levels not seen since 1945, economic uncertainty, and an endless stream of bad news, even my husband, the eternal optimist, recently said, “The world is going to hell in a handcart.”

But here’s the real question: If now isn't the time to be brave, when is?

What if everything you believe about yourself is wrong?

Have you ever sensed that something about how we understand human behaviour… doesn’t quite add up?

I have. And I’ve spent years trying to put my finger on it.

For a long time, I hesitated to share what I now see with absolute clarity. Not because I wasn’t sure it was true—but because I wasn’t sure how people would take it. Because once you see this, you can’t unsee it.

But if the world is “going to hell in a handcart,” then now is not the time to stay quiet.

Why I’ve been holding back

You might remember I’ve been writing a book. Some of you have asked me, “Where is it?”

The truth? I’ve been holding back because I was trying to find a comfortable way to say something that is inherently?uncomfortable.

Here it is: We are not who we think we are. We are what we think.

This isn’t just a clever turn of phrase—it’s a profound shift in how we understand ourselves and the world around us.

And more importantly—we don’t choose what we think.

That’s the part people struggle to see. Because if we’re not in control of our thoughts, then… who’s driving?

This is where it gets uncomfortable.

Because we have spent our lives believing we are the thinkers of our thoughts, the conscious architects of our decisions, the captains of our own ships. But what if that’s not true? What if we are not in the driver’s seat in the way we’ve always assumed?

A paradigm shift so big it’s hard to see

When I first saw this truth for myself, I couldn’t look away.

And when I started looking at the world through this lens, the implications were staggering—not just for individuals, but for everything: leadership, justice, governance, relationships, personal growth.

Because if we truly understood that we don’t choose our thinking, we would have to rethink everything. How we hold people accountable. How we approach personal development. How we understand conflict. How we create change.

It’s no exaggeration to say that this shift is on the level of discovering that the Earth orbits the sun, rather than the other way around.

No, it is not comfortable to realise that you are not in control in the way you thought you were. But what comes next—once you stop resisting—is the most freeing thing I’ve ever experienced.

Why now?

I feel that perhaps I’ve played it safe for long enough. I’ve continued meeting people where they are, speaking in ways they find comfortable, keeping one foot in the world of the known while the other is firmly planted in this deeper truth.

But the world doesn’t need more?comfortable?truths. It needs the?real?ones.

And that brings me to the question of?change—because even when we?know?something is true, it doesn’t mean we instantly embrace it.

At a recent event, I was asked:?“How do we make meaningful change last?”?It struck me that the same forces that make people struggle with?New Year’s resolutions?are the same forces that make it hard to see and integrate a fundamental paradigm shift.

Because deep down,?all real change is uncomfortable.?And whether we’re trying to change a habit or shift how we see the world, three things matter most:

• Clarify Your Why?– When change gets uncomfortable, our instinct is to retreat. That’s why knowing?why?it matters is crucial. When you see the real impact of a shift—on yourself, your leadership, and your world—it becomes harder to turn away.
• Assess Your Energy?– Resistance isn’t always a sign that something is wrong; sometimes, it’s a sign that something?important?is happening. Pay attention to how this truth feels to you. Does it excite and energise you? Or does it challenge something deep inside? The way we experience change influences how we move through it.
• Believe in the Possibility?– The mind resists what it doesn’t believe is possible. Even if a shift is logically sound, part of you might resist it. If you don’t fully believe you?can?see the world differently, you’ll struggle to integrate what’s right in front of you.

I share these principles because?this isn’t just an intellectual exercise—it’s a transformation. And once you?do?see it, there’s no going back.

An invitation

If this resonates with you—even if it’s just a flicker of curiosity—I’d love to invite you into this conversation.

I’m hosting a series of free Zoom calls where we can explore this together. I don’t have all the answers. But I have seen something that changes everything, and I know that once you see it too, your life—and your leadership—will never be the same.

If you’re interested, reply to this email or drop me a DM to join the first call.

This is just the beginning. Let’s be brave together.

Introducing the Vibrant Leader Programme?

In a world that feels increasingly chaotic, where old leadership models are crumbling under the weight of complexity and uncertainty, a new kind of leadership is needed—one that is rooted in clarity, creativity, and connection.

That’s why I’m thrilled to announce our inaugural open Vibrant Leader Programme, taking place from 7th-11th April (near London, UK).

This is far from your usual leadership programme. It’s not about acquiring more strategies, productivity hacks, or surface-level skills. It’s about something far deeper:

• Seeing through the noise and accessing a different level of clarity.
• Breaking free from reactive, hustle-driven leadership.
• Creating space for real innovation and personal evolution.

Who is this for?

This truly trasnformative programme is designed for senior forward-thinking leaders—those who are seeking more than just incremental progress.

If you’ve ever felt:

• Disillusioned by the bureaucracy and politics that stifle creativity.
• Disconnected from the energy and vision that once drove you.
• Ready for a different way of leading—one that is deeply effective, sustainable, and fulfilling…

Then this is for you.

Whether you’re leading a start-up, a growing business, or a division of a larger organisation, this programme is for those who want to lead with authenticity, unlock new possibilities, and navigate an unpredictable world with ease.

An Invitation

If this resonates, let’s talk. I’d love to explore whether this is the right fit for you.

Drop me an email at [email protected], and we’ll set up a quick Zoom chat.

How Vibrant is your leadership?

Before embarking on any meaningful transformation, it helps to get clear on where you stand.

That’s exactly what the Vibrant Diagnostic is designed to do. In less than ten minutes, this tool offers you a mirror—a way to see, perhaps for the first time, where vibrancy is flourishing in your leadership and organisation… and where it’s being stifled.

Many leaders assume they already have a vibrant culture. But as one client reflected after completing the assessment: "I thought we were already a really vibrant company, but the results prompted us to rethink some of our strategies and refine our business plan. It was incredibly insightful."

If you’re wondering whether something like the Vibrant Leader Programme is right for you—or if you’re simply curious to understand how your leadership or organisation compares—this is a great place to start.

The assessment is complimentary and confidential, and the insights you gain might just be the catalyst for the kind of change you didn’t even know you needed.

Take the Vibrant Diagnostic here ?? https://scoreapp.thevibrantcompany.com/

As ever, I welcome conversations about my content and encourage you to get in touch if anything arises for you.