Yesterday, I returned to facilitate a team session at a company I'd left 2.5 years ago. They'd changed, I'd changed, but what struck me was how this team had created something rare - a space where people could be themselves completely and deliver brilliantly through their unique strengths. It got me reflecting on my own journey back from some of the lowest points in my career, and what I've learned about taking ownership when you're feeling stuck.

If I’d focused on personal bests, I’d have called it a failure. But this 200km group ride wasn’t about speed—it was about getting everyone there, together.

When I stopped trying to be a “better manager” and focused on helping my people grow, everything changed — including performance. Here’s what happened.

Whether you’re leading in healthcare, business, or beyond - the way you lead matters. This blog explores five core leadership behaviours that consistently drive team performance, drawn from work with both NHS and global organisations. Practical, people-focused, and grounded in real experience.