When Good Work Stops Working At some point in your career, something shifts. You’re still capable. Still delivering. Still doing work that matters.And yet, your influence becomes… unpredictable. Some ideas land immediately. Others drift past without traction. Occasionally, someone else says the same thing, and suddenly it’s heard. It’s subtle at first. Easy to dismiss. […]
For most of their career, capable leaders are rewarded for one thing above all else: competence. They deliver results.They work hard.They solve problems.They build a reputation for being reliable, intelligent, and safe. For a long time, that contract holds. Effort translates into impact. Performance leads to influence. The better you are at your role, the […]
Most leaders have had the same experience. You ask a question in a leadership meeting. It’s a reasonable question. The issue matters. The people in the room are experienced, capable, and expected to have a view. And yet — nothing. No disagreement.No endorsement.No challenge.Just silence. Some leaders read this as disengagement. Others interpret it as […]
Why Eddard Stark Lost His Head (and What It Teaches Us About Political Intelligence) Updated October 2025 Introduction – When Values Aren’t Enough After a strong response to my first Game of Thrones leadership article, let’s continue with one of the most honourable characters — Eddard (Stark). As the King’s Hand, Eddard embodies loyalty, honour […]