“With 12 weeks left of my book posts – this one seems like a topical one to share.

I read this back in 2019 when running my own business.  And revisited recently. One of the simplest and most challenging I was reminded of:

👉 Stop thinking in years. Start executing in weeks.

The premise is deceptively straightforward: annual goals dilute urgency. A 12‑week horizon sharpens focus, forces prioritisation, and makes progress visible now, not “sometime this year”.

As in many businesses – ruthless prioritisation is required to keep a continual focus on what is going to move the dial (not always what is urgent and often not what is making the noise!!)

What resonated most for me (and hey I’m still learning here!!)

• Execution beats intention. Strategy only matters if it’s consistently acted on.
• Fewer goals, more discipline. Narrow focus drives momentum.
• Leading indicators matter. Daily and weekly behaviours are what actually move outcomes.
• Accountability creates pace. Short cycles expose avoidance, quickly, uncomfortable, but powerful.

In fast‑moving environments (and especially when juggling delivery, transformation and growth), a 12‑week lens cuts through noise and creates traction where long-term plans can stall.

Good reminder that ambition doesn’t fail because we aim too high – it often fails because we stretch the timeline and lose intensity.

What is the one goal you’d achieve faster if you treated the next 12 weeks like your whole year?”

I love books 📚 (42 of 52)

When teams are remote and languages differ, words can fall short. Visuals don’t. Hybrid graphic facilitation makes ideas instantly clear—just by helping people see them.

I used to think that it was just because I was a visual person (definitely a ‘V’ on the VARK model) but it’s not the case. Simple visuals, used well, can get everyone on the page quicker and easier. Building strong and meaningful ‘Collective Understanding’ around the object, challenge or ask.

I think its why I still carry paper & pen with me – I do love to sketch out a problem 🤔

So this is another Visual book in my library of books. Given to me some years ago by James Butler after one of our coaching session. It’s fun, some of the drawing are a little ‘naff’ but the concept of drawing, helping uncover gaps in thinking is excellent and using visuals to communicate faster (and better) than words – spot on.

In a world overloaded with information, the ability to simplify and visualise might be one of the most underrated skills?

I love books 📚 (42 of 52)

Leading Change by John Kotter

As someone leading transformation across complex programmes and markets, revisiting Leading Change felt highly relevant.

The premise is that successful change is systematic, deliberate, and leadership-driven. I believe that.

His 8-step model provides a practical framework, but what stood out most on reflection was the emphasis on people, momentum, and culture over process alone. A few call out you might find useful…

🚀 Creating urgency is non-negotiable – Too often in organisations, we assume the need for change is understood. It isnt. Repeat, Repeat and lead the way visibly. Without a genuinely shared urgency, change stalls before it starts.
🤝 Coalitions, not individuals, drive change. Sustainable transformation requires a guiding coalition with credibility, influence, and alignment not just strong individual leadership. We are doing it together.

🎯 Vision must be simple and relentless. If a vision can’t be clearly articulated & consistently communicated, it won’t translate into action. Complexity is the enemy of execution.

🏆 Short-term wins matter more than we think (Sue Moore – one of your mantra’s) long transformation programmes, early visible progress isn’t a ‘nice to have’ it’s critical for maintaining belief and momentum.

🩷 Culture is the endgame – True change only sticks when it becomes “how we do things around here.” Embedding new behaviours is harder and takes longer than you think.

For leaders navigating growth and complexity, this is a reminder that successful change isn’t just about the strategy it’s about how effectively you mobilise people behind it.

Curious to hear what change frameworks or leadership approaches have you found most effective, in the real world….

I love books 📚 (43 of 52)

A helpful little book! 📕

The Decision Book.

This mighty little book has 50 of the best decision making models.

Some of the models are well known such as Maslows hierarchy of needs 🔺Johari´s window 🪟and the Swiss cheese model 🧀 ( Richard Brookes one I’m sure you know! )

And some less well known but equally valuable and thought provoking on personal performance & team performance too.

✅ Books like this are sometimes just the helpful inspiration, intervention or shift in thinking needed when your are stuck or looking to get a different perspective.

Models you can use to simplify, sum up and visualise