Whether you’ve just stepped into a new leadership role or are preparing for your next one, one shift makes all the difference:
You have to think like a CEO.
Managing Directors, CEOs, and business owners don’t just focus on what needs to be done, they obsess over how the business moves, where value is created, and what kind of leadership unlocks the team’s potential.
Here are 3 mindset shifts I often coach leaders to adopt early. They’re simple, but powerful and they separate the managers from the business leaders.
1. Zoom Out Before You Zoom In
Great business leaders are not reactive and don’t just solve problems. They always step back to understand which problems matter most. They ask questions:
- “What’s the bigger play here?”
- “How does this impact the customer, the market, the brand?”
- “What are we not seeing?”
If you’re always in firefighting mode, start practicing the habit of stepping back before you lean in.
In my business facilitation sessions, I help leadership teams cut through noise, align priorities, and refocus on what drives long-term value, not just short-term fixes.
2. Think in Systems, Not Silos
A CEO and Managing Director sees the entire business as one connected system.
Sales affects operations. People affect performance. Brand affects pipeline.
New leaders often focus only on their lane, which makes sense at first. But do note that the fastest way to grow is to learn how your decisions impact throughout the business.
One way I help teams do this is through CliftonStrengths® coaching. When leaders understand how their own thinking works, and how their teammates are wired, they start leading beyond just function, and into impact.
3. Shift from Control to Influence
CEOs and MDs don’t try to control everything. The reality is, even when I was the MD, we can’t.
Leaders influence, align, and empower others to deliver.
The same goes for new managers and small team leaders, even if you're leading a team of five. Always pause, think and ask these questions:
- “What do I need to let go of?”
- “Where can I give more context, not just instructions?”
- “Am I helping my team create clarity or confusion?”
If your team feels stuck, or if you’re carrying too much on your shoulders, it’s a sign your leadership thinking needs to evolve, and that’s where I help coach professional and leaders.
You don’t need the title to start thinking like an MD.
You just need to start leading with curiosity, clarity, and courage.
If you’re ready to develop your leadership mindset or align your team to move faster and smarter, let’s connect. I run tailored leadership coaching, CliftonStrengths® team sessions, and business strategy facilitation to help businesses grow through better people and sharper thinking.
Be Wild & Wise Today
Are you ready to unlock your strengths and achieve personal or professional growth? Whether you need help with personal branding, team alignment, or strengths-based coaching, Wild & Wise is here to guide you. Book your free consultation and take the first step towards your transformation.
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On a Scale of 1 to 10, How Self-Aware Are You as a Leader?
Before you read on, pause for 20 seconds and rate yourself.
How would you define your score of self-awareness?
Would your team give you the same score?
This simple check-in might reveal more than you think.
How aware you are of your strengths, blind spots, and impact will ultimately shape how you show up as a leader.
As a leader, you will always be under the spotlight. Be it at the board meeting, town hall, or within our own teams.
Self-awareness is your leadership foundation.
Strong leaders know who they are. Not just know what to do.
They know:
- What energises them (and what drains them).
- How they react under stress.
- How their tone, body language, and mindset affect others, even when they say nothing at all.
In my Strengths-driven workshops and coaching work, I’ve seen that the most trusted leaders are the ones who are most self-aware and demonstrate behaviours consistently. These leaders:
- Are curious about how they show up.
- Understand their natural talents.
- And most importantly, know when to lean in or step aside.
Knowing (not guessing) your strengths is a powerful starting point
If you're not sure where to begin, here's a tip I give my clients:
Start with your STRENGTHS.
Your strengths are not just what you’re good at. They are how you naturally lead, communicate, influence, and make decisions on a daily basis, and more importantly, under pressure.
When leaders operate from their strengths, they create clarity, engagement, and confidence. When they don’t, they often end up overcompensating, burning out, or defaulting to old habits that no longer serve them.
With all the noise around leadership right now, the best move is not to look outward for answers, but inward.
Let me ask you again: On a scale of 1 to 10, how self-aware are you?
And what’s one strength you can lean into more intentionally this week?
Unlock Your Hidden Talent DNA: The 34 CliftonStrengths® That Define YOU
Ever feel like everyone else somehow got a manual for success that you missed? You're not alone. For years, we've all wrestled with understanding our own talents and how to truly unleash them. Instead of chasing after one-size-fits-all advice or the latest self-improvement fad, what if you could access the unique capabilities already wired into who you are? This is where the 34 CliftonStrengths® themes come in, a robust framework developed by Gallup that digs deeper than typical personality assessments to uncover your distinctive patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving - the authentic strengths that make you, YOU.
What are the 34 CliftonStrengths® Themes?
The CliftonStrengths® assessment emerged from decades of Gallup's research into what makes individuals and teams thrive. Instead of focusing on weaknesses to be fixed, this approach zeroes in on your innate talents – the things you naturally do well and find energising. These aren't just skills you've learned; they are fundamental ways you think, feel, and act.
The 34 CliftonStrengths® themes are categorised into four overarching domains, providing a helpful structure for understanding different types of talent:
- Strategic Thinking: This theme revolves around how you analyse situations, make decisions, and think about the future. Examples include Analytical, Futuristic, and Ideation.
- Executing: This domain encompasses the themes that help you get things done and turn ideas into reality. Think of themes like Achiever, Discipline, and Responsibility.
- Influencing: These themes describe how you impact others, persuade them, and make your ideas heard. Examples include Communication, Command, and Woo.
- Relationship Building: This domain focuses on how you build strong connections, foster teamwork, and create a positive social environment. Themes like Empathy, Harmony, and Relator fall under this category.
Why Understanding Your CliftonStrengths® Matters
Knowing your top CliftonStrengths® – typically your top 5 or 10 – can be a game-changer in various aspects of your life:
- Improved Self-Awareness and Confidence: When you understand your natural talents, you gain a deeper appreciation for what makes you unique and valuable. This self-knowledge fuels confidence and helps you make choices aligned with your inherent strengths.
- Enhanced Career Development and Job Satisfaction: By identifying roles and responsibilities that leverage your strengths, you're more likely to excel and find genuine satisfaction in your work. Imagine a "Communicator" thriving in a client-facing role or a "Strategic" individual excelling in planning and analysis.
- Stronger Teamwork and Collaboration: When team members understand each other's strengths, they can collaborate more effectively, delegate tasks strategically, and appreciate diverse contributions. A team with a strong "Harmony" theme might excel at conflict resolution, while a team with "Activator" will be great at getting projects off the ground.
- Increased Productivity and Performance: Focusing on your strengths allows you to operate more efficiently and effectively. You'll find tasks that align with your talents come more naturally, leading to higher-quality work and greater output.
- Better Decision-Making: Your strengths influence how you approach problems and make choices. Understanding these tendencies can lead to more informed and confident decision-making. For example, someone with strong Analytical tendencies might prioritise data, while someone with Intuition might rely on gut feeling.
Understanding your CliftonStrengths® is like receiving a personalised roadmap to your potential. It moves beyond generic advice and taps into the core of who you are at your best. By embracing your unique talent DNA, you can unlock hidden genius, achieve greater fulfillment, and contribute more effectively to the world around you. Ready to discover the strengths that define you? Take the first step and explore the power of CliftonStrengths® with Wild & Wise.
Unlock Your Hidden Strengths to Thrive in Any Situation
With tech, jobs, and global trade and tariffs constantly shifting, staying relevant means being ready for anything. It's about looking ahead and adapting, not just reacting to what's already happened.
Getting Your Mind Ready for Success
To do well in this crazy world, you gotta think right:
- Believe You Can Learn: Know that you can get better at stuff if you try. Don't be afraid to learn new skills.
- Be Open to Good Stuff: Be ready for new chances; updating your resume to reflect your growth.
- Watch Your Words: If you say you're stressed or tired, you'll feel it.
- See Yourself Winning: Imagine yourself doing great.
- Think There's Plenty for Everyone: Don't worry about missing out, everyone has their own unique strengths.
- Write Down What You Want: Make your goals clear with numbers like profits, followers, etc.
- Put in the Work: Taking aligned action and enjoying the effort of doing it works every time.
Being Flexible: Key to Staying Relevant
Things like new tech and changing trade rules can mess things up. You gotta be flexible.
- Keep Learning: Never stop learning new stuff. Be willing to learn new skills.
- Bounce Back: Learn to deal with problems and see them as chances to grow.
- Listen to Feedback: Use what people say to get better.
Using What You're Good At
Knowing your strengths is super important.
- Know Yourself: Figure out what you're good at and what you like.
- Focus on Your Strengths: Spend time getting better at what you’re already good at.
- Work with Others: You can’t do everything. Find people who are good at what you're not.
- Be Yourself: People trust you when you’re real.
When Flexibility and Strengths Work Together
When you can change and use your strengths, good things happen. You can handle anything and find new chances.
CliftonStrengths® and Finding Your Way
Knowing your CliftonStrengths® can help you use your talents. This tool shows you what you're naturally good at. If you use those strengths in a world that’s always changing, you'll do great. Knowing your CliftonStrengths® helps you stay relevant and shows your value, no matter what happens.