Journal
Social Rest - A Vital Reset for Leaders After a Busy Work Week
“As a leaders, the demands of our roles can leave us feeling drained by the end of a busy week. The responsibility of leading teams, making critical decisions, and juggling multiple tasks can take its toll on our mental and emotional well-being. Therefore, it’s essential to carve out moments for social rest—spending time with others in a way that rejuvenates us instead of draining our energy”.
Coaching Tools: Empowerment Reframing
“In a world where challenges are part of everyday life, it’s common to grapple with negative thoughts, particularly for empathic leaders. These thoughts often arise from high expectations, self-doubt, or external criticism. However, our responses to these feelings can significantly shape our leadership journey. Enter Empowerment Reframing—an effective technique that helps us acknowledge our emotions and transform them into powerful catalysts for growth”.
Optimism - Stefan’s Week-Notes 18/01/2025
“As a coach, my belief is that the growth we gain from leaning into challenges and lessons is where life is at. This mindset encourages optimism, persistence, adaptation, and confidence and in turn empowers clients to push beyond their limits and perform at their best.
Optimism isn’t about ignoring reality—it’s about believing that growth is always possible. A positive perspective transforms potential into achievement”.
Work: A Thriving Planet: The Vision
“By coming together under this common vision, we can inspire one another, share resources, and cultivate an environment of trust and accountability, enabling us to champion sustainable practices that truly make a difference. This shared commitment to a thriving planet will empower us to drive meaningful action that benefits both people and the planet for generations to come.”
Coaching Tools: What would make now the right time?
“The prospect of change can evoke a range of emotions, from anxiety and apprehension to excitement and hope. Individuals may worry about the unknown, fearing that change could disrupt their established routines and comfort zones. This uncertainty can manifest as a reluctance to embrace new opportunities, such as coaching, because it requires confronting the familiar and venturing into uncharted territory.”.
Embracing 48: A Birthday Bridge to My 16-Year-Old Self
“Today, I’m not just the sum of my experiences. I’m a reflection of all that’s been learned, all that’s been fought for, and all the wisdom gained through both triumphs and failures. And when I look back at my younger self, there’s so much I’d want to say”.
Faith - Stefan’s Week-Notes 10/01/2025
“Amidst these reflections, I’ve come to understand that embracing faith fosters a sense of peace. This peace arises when we accept the unpredictability of life and surrender to a higher will. In this acceptance, transformation becomes possible; it paves the way for us to evolve into versions of ourselves that are more resilient and adaptable”.
Sustenance: Giving Yourself Space For The Things You Love - The Exec Summary
“In our busy, fast-paced lives, it’s all too easy to become consumed by the constant demands of work, family, and social obligations. We often forget that making space for ourselves - and for the things that truly matter - is essential for our well-being.
When we talk about creating space, it’s more than just about having room in your diary or your physical space, in which you live or work.
For me, there are five key dimensions of space that are vital to personal fulfilment”.
Sustenance: Giving Yourself Space For The Things You Love - The Essay
“In our busy, fast-paced lives, it’s all too easy to become consumed by the constant demands of work, family, and social obligations. We often forget that making space for ourselves - and for the things that truly matter - is essential for our well-being.
When we talk about creating space, it’s more than just about having room in your diary or your physical space, in which you live or work.
For me, there are five key dimensions of space that are vital to personal fulfilment”.
Opinion- Why aren’t enough good people rising to the ‘top’?
“Despite an obvious need and desire for ethical leadership and integrity, many who embody these qualities frequently find themselves overlooked in favour of those who promote their own interests more aggressively.
It’s something I’ve seen in my whole career and addressing this forms part of the work I do as a coach, helping many highly capable leaders to rise beyond the glass ceiling which is being set for them and at times by themselves.
Understanding whats leading to this is key for ‘rallying against it’ and ‘working with it’ to get good people into the positions our world needs to create a thriving planet and society”
Why Do I Work With Good People, Leaders, Teams and Coaches?
“Sure, we celebrate prophets, ‘do-gooders’, and ‘pacifists’. We quote ‘wellbeing gurus’ and idolise the ‘nicer’, more ‘wholesome’ speeches from world leaders, but too often, we define success by wealth, fame, and the ability to influence rather than by what is being influenced.
For me, and for all of us, the true measure of success needs to be rooted in being good”.
The Spirit of Belief: Christmas and the Magic of Our Planet
“As the lights twinkle and laughter fills our homes, let’s remember that the greatest gift we can give our children is to cherish the magic of both Christmas and the natural world. We must nurture not only their imagination but also build the legacy of a thriving planet—one filled with wonder and responsibility that will echo through the years to come”.
A Review: Lessons From My Year of Cycling
“The past year has been a remarkable journey, one where I not only challenged my physical limits but also explored the depths of my resilience in the face of trials.
From riding to Cheddar Gorge overnight to conquering Mount Ventoux, right through to recovering from a bike crash and relationship loss, these experiences shaped my year in ways I had never anticipated; guiding my growth both as a cyclist and as a human being”
My 7 Aspirations for Our World - The Essay
“When we acknowledge that we are all from the same ocean, we begin to realise the power of collective action. This concept calls us to work together in harmony, recognising that our individual well-being is inherently tied to the well-being of others. As we navigate the challenges of our world—social injustice, climate change, and economic disparity—it becomes increasingly clear that the solutions we seek must come not from isolated efforts but from collaborative endeavours that embrace the richness of our shared experiences”
Constitution - Stefan’s Week-Notes 14/12/2024
"Constitution, in its broadest sense, refers to the mental and physical endurance we all possess. Our constitution originates from a combination of genetic predisposition, upbringing, and life experiences. From a young age, we acquire the foundations of resilience through challenges faced in our environment, be it in the form of academic struggles, sporting competitions, or social interactions. The lessons learned during these formative years shape our ability to cope with adversity and adapt to change".
The Personality Styles of Work Place Play - The Essay
“Dr. Stuart Brown identifies eight distinct "play personalities," each contributing unique qualities and preferences to the workplace. By recognising these personalities—such as the Joker, Kinesthete, Explorer, and others—leaders can tailor activities to boost morale, engagement, and collaboration”.
The Personality Styles of Workplace Play - The Exec Summary
“Dr. Stuart Brown identifies eight distinct "play personalities," each contributing unique qualities and preferences to the workplace. By recognising these personalities—such as the Joker, Kinesthete, Explorer, and others—leaders can tailor activities to boost morale, engagement, and collaboration”.
Outside - Stefan’s Week-Notes 07/12/2024
““When you witness how ecological diversity enhances resilience and adaptability in nature, you may become inspired to advocate for similar principles within your organisation.
Biodiversity, much like a well-functioning corporation, thrives on variety and collaboration, suggesting that a diverse corporate environment can lead to greater innovation and problem-solving abilities”
Rest - How to get a 25% increase in happiness.
“Spiritual rest is built upon intentional practices that foster spiritual well-being which come from connecting what we do with our hopes and aspirations and clearing our mind of the ‘noise’ which holds us back and keeps us awake at night.
How do you create spiritual rest?”
Essay - Letting Go In Leadership (and life).
“From my perspective, leadership is not just about holding a title; it’s about the ongoing responsibility to foster an environment that encourages innovation, growth, and success for the entire organisation. As I’ve progressed through various stages in my career, I’ve recognised that letting go of certain responsibilities or familiar ties is essential for my development and that of my team.”