You’re in business, likely to make money, so when you look at the profit and loss charts it’s really easy to see what doesn’t give ROI and you cut it instantly.

That’s good business sense, except when it isn’t.

Let’s face it. If you check the news, the world doesn’t feel great, and all that seems to be reported is doom and gloom.

Rarely do they write about all the people making great changes. We need better leadership, fast, and that includes you.  

My full name is Marianna Ilia Makiko Jade Williams. I used to have a triple-barrelled surname and going through any form filling was a nightmare. Yet you know me as Mari. I know you are thinking, wow, what a name, and yes, I will explain all, but first.

Have you ever wondered how your name affects your mental health? Do you feel like a John or a Steve, do you feel like a Sam or a Charlie?

I love Marvel films. I just love that they always include a really healthy message. Stories have done this for years in different ways. Hansel and Gretel was to prevent kids from going into the woods, Red Riding Hood the same thing. We naturally use stories to learn. It surprises me the sudden interest in brand storytelling and personal brand stories as really, businesses have always used this to make us loyal and to buy their products. Apple doesn’t sell you a phone, it sells you a lifestyle and an identity. 

There comes a time when most clients I work with worry that they are becoming arrogant. Whenever this comes up, it always makes me smile because by purely asking that question of themselves, of me, they answer the question.

Have you ever been talking to someone and they have a very clear recollection of something that you know did not happen? This is one of the many causes of conflict in both work and personal relationships.

‘…but you said you’d be in charge of that project…’

‘no I didn’t, you said you would be…’

How does this happen?

If, like me, you loved Toy Story, you’ll know the quote, ‘That wasn’t flying. That was falling, with style.’

So many of us don’t reach out for the things we want because we are afraid to fail, both in business and at home. I know if you are in leadership, you probably think that you aren’t susceptible to this; you built a company, blah blah blah, but honestly, we all are. We are all fallible human beings who worry about failing.

Discussing loneliness despite constant companionship and how this parallels this with leadership, where isolation is common due to the inability to confide in others.

Leaders need to proactively seek connections with friends, peers, therapists, or advisors. Building a diverse support network is essential for personal and professional well-being.

Why are you so busy?

Do you find yourself tuning out when you really need to be present?

Do you ever organise some alone time only to find that your mind drifts off to solve or worry about that work issue in the middle of what you're doing?

Recent research says that all professionals have another 40 hours of work to do at the end of each week if they aim for a clean desk. That’s realistically a double week. Every week. For eternity.

I’m going to share my Mari’s Overwhelm Obliterator! It’s not actually a thing but it is what I do when I’m feeling overwhelmed.

It's my 51st birthday and I’ve been reflecting on my journey so far. Whether you're a client or a dedicated reader of my blog, I want to express my gratitude for sharing your time and your personal stories with me. In return, I thought I'd share a lighthearted tale from my past. 🌟

You make around 36,000 decisions every day… but mostly without realising it.

If you think that any of those decisions could change the whole course of your life… it could become quite terrifying. Deciding to go to that seminar might inspire you to start your own business; deciding to have a hot chocolate again (again…) could lead to you having a heart attack in 50 years’ time; deciding to pop to the shop whilst you’re passing could lead to you meeting the love of your life. Who knows where deciding to read this article might eventually lead you?

Did you know that research shows that people would rather have the certainty of knowing they were going to get an electric shock than worry about whether they might.

Our lives are full of uncertainty, and for leaders, this is an extra challenge. Will those VCs invest? Will that big client come on? Will that big project pay off? Will your new hire do the job you so desperately need them to do?