Branding is why
Marketing is how
Branding is your story
Marketing is how you tell it
Branding earns loyalty
Marketing drives action
Branding is the foundation
Marketing is the structure
Branding is the being
Marketing is the doing
Branding is macro
Marketing is micro
Branding defines trajectory
Marketing defines tactics
Branding is long-term
Marketing is short-term
Branding shapes culture
Marketing shapes campaigns
Branding is the promise of value
Marketing is the proof of value
I see branding as the essence of who you are, the identity and character of your business. Marketing, on the other hand, is how you build awareness of that brand. Branding is your long-term strategy, while marketing is made up of the tactical actions you take to reach your goals. Do you agree?
Increased trust and relatability
Coaching effectiveness is influenced by a variety of factors, and research suggests that racial and cultural alignment can significantly enhance engagement, trust, and overall outcomes. A 2020 study published in the Journal of Business and Psychology found that employees are more likely to trust and actively engage with mentors and leaders who share similar racial or ethnic backgrounds. This shared experience fosters deeper connections and strengthens the coaching relationship. Similarly, the International Coaching Federation (ICF) underscores the importance of cultural competence, emphasising that coaches who understand and reflect their clients’ backgrounds are better equipped to tailor their approach to meet specific needs.
We are all being shaped
As leaders, we are often encouraged to focus on external metrics, for example, visibility, performance, recognition. When we neglect the internal work, we risk losing our centre. Blaming society or systems may feel justified, and it also gives away our power. Yes, we have all been shaped, some may say manipulated by the pace of social media and the pressure to stay constantly "on." And in that, many have drifted from the deeper roots of community whether that’s Church, Synagogue, Mosque, or simply meaningful service to others. In my opinion, you can't lead with clarity if your life is led by everything else around you. I think by reclaiming your focus, values, and connection it isn’t just personal, it’s part of your leadership responsibility.
The importance of letting go
When you face criticism, see it as an opportunity to sharpen your focus and reaffirm your commitment to your vision. There’s a key difference between focus and attachment. Focus is rooted in clarity and intention, it’s about knowing what you want and why you want it. Attachment, on the other hand, is about trying to control the outcome, often driven by fear or a sense of lack. When you're attached to a specific result, you may inadvertently block the very thing you're trying to attract. Instead, practice focusing on what you desire, then release your grip on how and when it will come. Trust that the universe or life itself knows the best way to bring your vision into reality. Be open to possibilities you may not have considered. Focus on the what and the why, and let the universe take care of the how and when.
I think it’s essential to remember that maintaining your focus when things don’t go as planned is just as important. These moments may be invitations to grow, opportunities to become the person who is not only capable of achieving, but also sustaining, what you truly want.
Time well spent
Some things in life are best when we can telescope, compress, accelerate, and streamline them, making the process more efficient. And then there are things where the true value lies in the inefficiency, in the time spent, the time endured, and the effort invested.
““As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.””
Authentic leadership traits
Infographic © Justin Wright
““A cat that dreams of becoming a lion must lose its appetite for rats.””
Nature is our teacher
Self-assessment is a superpower as it allows you to challenge and change self-limiting beliefs, giving you the ability to choose your emotional state rather than be at the mercy of it. The more aware you become, the more power you have to direct your focus and attract what you truly want. While humans are self-aware, the contents of our minds differ because we all have unique life experiences. As a result, our unconscious mind is often in a constant state of judging, complaining, liking, and disliking, based on what it believes to be true. I understand that if you grow up rooting for one sports team, you may be told to hate another, but if you consciously observe this belief, you may ask: Why should hate exist at all?
Trust the process
Here’s a thoughtful list of mindset shifts that support emotional detachment in a healthy, self-empowering way:
- Let people be who they want to be, then decide if you want them in your life.
- Trust that rejection is always redirection to something bigger and better.
- Some people are only meant to help you grow, not be in your life forever.
- What if everything is falling apart to come together in a way you can’t guess?
- Focus only on what you can control.
I think each point touches on a different layer of letting go, trusting the process, and reclaiming your energy.
Failure is not an option
Image: Costas K. Gian ©
In investing, as in life, every dip teaches, and every fall refines. Each setback is not an end, but a stepping stone, it’s an opportunity to learn, adjust, and grow. The butterfly only takes flight after enduring the struggle, and so too must we embrace the challenges that shape us. Stay invested, both financially and personally, and commit to continuous evolution. Learn from the fall, acknowledge the journey, and take the time to investigate what lies beneath the surface. I think that only then can you rise again, wiser, stronger, and with renewed purpose.
Making wise choices
As a conscious and creative being, I recognise that I have the power and the ability to intentionally shape my life according to my deepest desires. I understand that I will only attract what I am truly focused on. That’s why it’s essential to choose my focus wisely, direct it with purpose, and maintain it consistently. I am patient with the process, yet relentless in my focus. I trust in the unfolding of my vision while remaining committed to my role in bringing it to life. And above all, I choose to enjoy the journey.
Building interpersonal skills
If you really want to learn more, start by listening more. It sounds simple but listening with the intent to understand and not to reply is one of the most overlooked leadership skills. Real learning begins when we create space for others to speak, and when we resist the urge to fill that space with our own voice. Nobody has ever learned anything new by dominating the conversation or hearing themselves talk. I think listening is where insight, trust, and real connections are built.
““The capacity to learn is a gift; the ability to learn is a skill; the willingness to learn is a choice.””
Have a nice day
Did you know that people who genuinely love themselves tend to naturally attract love from others? When you are truly at peace with yourself, you are not focused on finding faults in others. Instead, you are drawn to the qualities that resonate with you, the parts that bring you joy. Research shows that gratitude has a profound impact on our bodies, including strengthening the immune system.
““If you spend your time chasing butterflies, they will fly away. But if you spend your time making a beautiful garden, the butterflies will come. Do not chance, attract.””
Reality check
In my control:
My attitude
My boundaries
My energy
My response
My self-talk
The way I process emotions
The way I speak
The way I treat others
Who I choose to spend my time with
Out of my control
Aging
External events
Other people’s beliefs & behaviours
Other people’s opinion of me
Outcomes
The future
The past
The way people speak to me
The way people treat me
Time
What others say about me
Living the dream
Image c/o Disney ©
Sometimes living in Denmark feels like stepping into my own version of Alice in Wonderland. Like Alice, I am guided by an insatiable curiosity and a thirst for adventure. Her ability to think unconventionally and adapt to strange, often surreal situations mirrors my own independent spirit and willingness to embrace the unfamiliar. Navigating a new culture, language, and way of life has pushed me to grow, reflect, and see the world through a different lens, just as Alice did in her whimsical journey.
Coaching isn’t a quick fix
As a coach, I can share the research, the data, and the average return on investment, but I can’t and definitely won’t promise specific outcomes. There are too many “get rich quick” or “guaranteed weight loss” schemes online. That’s not what coaching is, and it's unethical for coaches to make those kinds of claims. Instead, do good. Seek out opportunities to do good proactively. Here are five ways you can do that:
Educate yourself
Learn about diversity, inclusion, psychological safety, cultural awareness, and access barriers. Stay curious.Self-assess
Ask yourself: “Where am I now?” “How am I doing?” “How am I coming across to others?”I have a leadership assessment form available, just send me an email and I’ll be happy to share it with you.Practice self-reflection
Regularly ask: “What impact am I having?” and “How am I showing up in my actions and words?”Communicate your openness
Diversity isn’t only visual. Ask yourself: “How am I communicating what I value and who I serve?”Expand access
Coaching can be transformative. I constantly consider how I can increase access to it for people who may not be able to afford it.
Consider the power dynamics
c/o Shamillah Wilson ©
How do I, as a coach, embody and demonstrate professionalism, collaboration, humanity, and equity?
There is a strong emphasis on diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. This means recognising the identities of different groups, treating people fairly, and understanding that bias and systemic inequality exist, even when they are unintentional or go unnoticed. Our personal beliefs may say one thing, but our actions, biases, and the systems we operate within may tell a different story. That’s why I think it’s essential to engage in self-reflection, challenge assumptions, and actively work toward creating equitable spaces. What do you think?
Hold space for others
How are you holding space for others to thrive?
I think self-awareness is a key component of success in the DEI space. There is so much nuance and ambiguity in DEI work that many of the necessary skills will develop over time. Much of the knowledge required to become a subject matter expert comes from lived experience, trial, and error. Many traditional frameworks and approaches to DEI have failed in the past…
In a world where everything revolves around technology, we must not forget the crucial role that human emotions play.
Skin in the game
In my experience, I have discovered a crucial factor that determines the effectiveness of leadership development, having “skin in the game.” Over the years, I have shared leadership insights and strategies with many professionals, sometimes for free and sometimes for a fee. A striking pattern emerged, when people received guidance for free, they rarely implemented it. However, when they paid for the same advice, implementation rates skyrocketed. This observation highlights an important truth: commitment increases when there is something at stake. In our society, money is a common way to ensure this commitment. When individuals invest financially in their growth, they are more likely to take action and extract value from the experience.
Finding truth in fiction
The above image has been my Facebook banner since 2013. It was taken in Sachsenhausen (Frankfurt) around that period.
The past few years have been destabilising, leaving many people questioning what’s true and what they believe. Fear is rampant, and extremists are thriving on it, I think mistrust in Western society is at an all-time high. One of the reasons I love fiction is that I don’t have to question whether it’s real. This makes me more open to the messages it conveys. When something is presented as fact, I have to ask: Who said it? Where did it come from? Is it credible? Can it be backed up with data? With fiction, I can simply engage with the world the author has created. I don’t need to verify its reality. I can accept, challenge, or respond to its ideas however I choose. In a strange way, fiction can reveal deeper truths about reality.
Main Character Syndrome
I recently came across the term Main Character Syndrome (MCS), and it immediately caught my attention. At first, I laughed it off, thinking about those overly dramatic Instagram or TikTok videos where people romanticize their daily coffee runs or city walks as if they’re in a coming-of-age film. And the more I thought about it, the more I realised, we all have a little bit of MCS in us. It can show up in different ways: over-dramatising life events, narrating experiences in a cinematic way, or even seeing friends and colleagues as “supporting characters” rather than individuals with their own lives. I think if we are all the main characters in our own stories, let’s just make sure we’re not forgetting everyone else in the cast.