This month is all about reflection as we approach the mid-year point. We often talk about how we should try and enjoy the journey rather than constantly obsess about reaching the destination. From leading through volatile times to embracing diversity in the workplace, there is no doubt that the last 6 months has been a learning experience for us all. 
 
For the REAL. Leadership consultancy there were two stand-out moments, firstly we started the year on a high, winning an award for best leadership development company in the UK and secondly supporting one of our most inspirational leaders Pete Wallroth, CEO of Mummy’s Star as he celebrated the 10th anniversary for his brilliant charity. Finally thanks to everyone who’s taken the time to read the newsletter, send in their comments and of course those who have kindly written articles for us!
What’s included this month:

 In the insights section we’ve pulled out some of the trends we’ve seen from our clients below, see if any of them resonate with you?

In the REAL Leadership Tips section we reshare Steve’s blog post on leading through uncertainty and Ben Sullivan’s fascinating insights on diversity in the workplace.

In the REAL Leadership conversations we reflect on International Women’s Day and how the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) are helping to to address the imbalance of women in management positions and create better career pathways

Finally in the REAL Leadership library we share some of the best books and content from the past 6 months and highlight the importance of conversations!

Do you know what your team thinks of you? Over the past six months we have worked closely with our clients and assessed their perceived leadership skills, then we’ve asked people around them how they actually experience that leadership. The REAL. Leadership team have been reviewing these results to spot trends and ongoing disparities that we can learn from


As a leader do you know what your team thinks about you? Do you take the time to ask them and to act based on their response? This is what we have learnt recently and if you’d like to see how you are perceived by your team, please let us know.

In February of this year, as it was announced that the UK had narrowly missed going into recession, Steve shared his thoughts on leading through uncertainty.

This is a quote from the late Ayrton Senna that was mentioned in a fascinating McKinsey article How ambidextrous leaders manage through volatile times | McKinsey.

The article went on to describe that despite all of the rain out there, from the war in Ukraine, increased costs of living, increasing inflation and hybrid work challenges, to name just a few…there are two leadership mindsets to consider. The cautious leaders who cut back and hide in their offices (or at home) and wait for better weather? Or those that go on the offensive and look for opportunities, show a positive mindset and inspire their teams to get ahead of the pack?

Read more about leading through uncertain times and how it all starts with you!

The following month, Ben Sullivan, CEO and Co-Founder of The Reverse Mentoring Practice, explained the importance of diversity in the workplace and why leaders are often ill-prepared because their understanding about diversity and inclusion is too simplistic.

Read more about what make a diversity program successful in the workplace.


In March we celebrated all the women that we are all lucky enough to know during International Women’s Day. We asked the women in the REAL. Leadership community what this day meant to them – read more in this inspiring blog post.
To continue this celebration of women in the workplace Steve connected with the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) and was fascinated to hear how they have designed and implemented their own Women in Leadership (WiL) programme with an overall objective to address the imbalance of women in management positions and create better career pathways

This year we recommended the book The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down: How to be Calm in a Busy World by Haemin Sunim and Chi-Young Kim. 

In this timely guide to mindfulness, Haemin Sunim, a Buddhist monk born in Korea, offers advice on everything from handling setbacks to dealing with rest and relationships.

Alternatively we recommended listening to Steven Kotler explain how to use flow state to do the impossible. Find out why we’re all capable of so much more than we think.

With all the fantastic books, podcasts and videos now available don’t forget the importance of talking to people. Talk to peers, talk to those in your business who you admire and reach out to people you haven’t spoken to for a while. Sometimes as life gets busy we forget how important conversations are! 

If any of this resonates and you want to have a chat, why not get in touch with the team  at getreal@realleadership.consulting, and they will arrange a free 20 minute (no obligation) discovery session.

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