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.

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.

You’ve probably been part of a high-functioning team, one where things just flowed and clicked. One that we all felt great.  Positively challenged and energised. Thankfully, I’ve been in a few teams like this throughout my career.

Not just because everyone was smart or experienced, but because there was mutual respect, trust, and a rhythm in how things got done. We all felt great to be part of a solid team.  We covered each other, got each other’s back and didn’t feel the need to prove ourselves.  

And yet, I meet so many leadership teams that have a clear strategy but still struggle with performance. They’ve got the goals, the org charts, and the smart people. But something's just…. a little off.

More often than not, it’s not a strategy issue, it’s a behavioural one.

You can align on the what, but if there’s no alignment on the how. How decisions get made, how conflict gets addressed, how feedback is shared, teams will keep circling the same frustrations.

As Lee Kuan Yew once said, “A nation is great not by its size alone. It is the will, the cohesion, the stamina, the discipline of its people.”

Swap “nation” for “team” and it still holds.

Strategy Without Shared Behaviour Is Just Noise

Many teams operate on assumed behaviour.

They assume others will speak up when something’s not working.

They assume alignment means agreement.

They assume silence means consent.

It doesn’t.

What looks like a misalignment in outcomes is often a breakdown in expectations, communication, and shared standards.

The highest-performing teams don’t leave behaviour to chance, these performing teams name it, they model it, and they revisit it.

Where Strengths and Coaching Shift the Game

Whenever I work with teams using CliftonStrengths®, what we uncover isn’t just a list of talents. We discover why tension exists between certain individuals. We clarify why certain conversations get stuck. We shift from labelling personality to exploring how each person contributes, leads, and collaborates best.

It’s not fluffy. It’s foundational.

As Gary Vaynerchuk says, “Self-awareness is being able to accept your weaknesses while focusing all of your attention on your strengths.”

That’s how leadership grows. That’s how teams evolve.

And when paired with real coaching: not advice-giving, not cheerleading, but reflective, strategic coaching led by someone who’s walked the business floor, you start seeing real movement.

Better decisions.
Clearer roles.
More honest conversations.
Fewer assumptions.
More flow.

The Ask Isn't “Are You Performing?” It’s “How Are You Showing Up?”

The work is not just hitting goals. It’s about building a team culture where high performance isn’t forced, it’s enabled.

That’s where strengths-based coaching and leadership development can help. Not as a quick fix, but as a real, human process.

Storytelling is not just for bedtime. It’s the secret sauce of human connection, the fuel that drives action. From ancient legends to viral campaigns, narratives grab attention, teach lessons, and light a fire in our minds. In today's hyper-competitive world, if you're not telling killer stories, you're missing out.

What's the Story with Storytelling?

At its core, storytelling transforms events and ideas into engaging narratives. 

“Facts Are Forgotten. Stories Are Remembered.”

Historically, it's how we passed down knowledge. In business, it's about turning cold data into passionate engagement.

• Values & Vibes: Stories don't just tell; they show. They let your company's heart shine through, making your culture and mission real.
• Sparking Action: Stories don't just inform; they ignite. They build trust with clients, and foster a sense of shared purpose.

Crafting Compelling Narratives: A Wild & Wise Workshop for Business Success

Professionals in multinational corporations are invited to an immersive, three-hour workshop by Wild & Wise. This session equips participants with practical storytelling frameworks for two pivotal phases: business development and post-project delivery.

In the business development phase, you'll learn to craft narratives that address market shifts and connect with clients, using the 5-S framework. In the post-project delivery phase, you'll discover how to transform data analytics into actionable, engaging stories.

Business Development: The 5-S Framework

In the battleground of business development, stories are your weapon. The workshop introduces the 5-S framework, a strategic approach designed to help consultants address market changes and resonate with customer-facing strategies.

The 5-S Framework:

• Situation: Understanding the client's current context.
• Struggle: Presenting and understanding the challenge.
• Solution: Presenting the proposed solution as a journey.
• Success: Painting a vivid picture of the desired outcome.
• Summary: Highlighting key takeaways and impact.

By mastering this framework, consultants can create narratives that not only inform but also inspire potential clients, driving successful business development outcomes.

What You'll Walk Away With:

Participants will leave the workshop with a practical toolkit of storytelling techniques that they can immediately apply to their client engagements, driving successful outcomes and strengthening client relationships.

During my years working in MNCs, leaders often say, “We’re aligned on goals.” ‍

But when I work with these teams, what I often see is this: misalignment on behaviour.

Teams may agree on the destination but no one’s aligned on how they’ll get there. That’s when performance stalls, tensions build, and collaboration quietly breaks down.

Shared goals don’t mean much if they’re not backed by shared behaviours.

What Behaviour Has to Do With Performance

According to Gallup’s 2024 meta-analysis of 183,000+ teams, those in the top quartile of engagement were:

• 23% more profitable
  
  
• 18% more productive in sales
  
  
• 66% more successful at employee well-being and retention
  
  

And what drives engagement?

Not just strategy, not perks, not offsites. It’s day-to-day interactions, how team members communicate, challenge, support, and follow through. The things that live in your behaviour, not your business plan.

Gallup also found that 70% of team engagement is driven by the manager. That means leadership behaviour isn’t just influential, it’s actually pivotal.

Cultural Nuances in Asia: Why Shared Behaviours Matter Even More

In Asia-Pacific, shared behaviours can be harder to surface because of cultural dynamics like hierarchy, deference to authority, or avoiding conflict.

Studies across Singapore, India, and China show that in high power-distance environments, team members are often less likely to challenge ideas or speak up when there’s tension. But in today’s complex environments, psychological safety and collaborative culture are make-or-break factors for innovation and speed.

Without shared behaviours, even the smartest people play small, and creativity suffers.

What Can You Do?

The smartest leaders I work with aren’t the loudest in the room.  They’re the ones still learning. The ones willing to pause and ask:

• How are we showing up for each other?
  
  
• Where is behaviour holding us back?
  
  
• What do we need to name in order to move forward?
  
  

This is where CliftonStrengths® and coaching can play a game-changing role, not just as tools, but as facilitation spaces. Real conversations. Practical alignment. Working agreements that stick.

Because until your team agrees on how to behave together, goals are just words on a slide.

In today's evolving creative landscape, there's a delicate balance between honouring the dedication required to master artistic crafts and embracing the new possibilities that technology offers. True artists and creators know that exceptional work comes from years of practice, discipline, and commitment.

The Enduring Value of Artistic Mastery

While Helen Cammock, a Turner Prize winner in 2019, notes that "just because you can't draw something in a representative, representational way, it doesn't mean that you're not creative," this doesn't diminish the importance of developing genuine artistic skill. Cammock's work across "film, photography, print, performance, writing and text" represents years of dedicated practice and refinement.

Professional artists understand that mastering their craft requires countless hours of focused work. The digital revolution hasn't changed this fundamental reality. But it has provided established artists with powerful new tools to enhance their already formidable skills. For serious creators, technology doesn't replace craft; it extends and amplifies it.

The Rise of Artistic Consumption

The recent sensation of Pop Mart and similar artistic collectables demonstrates how today's consumers are increasingly drawn to artsy, cute items with emotional appeal. People aren't just buying products; they're collecting art pieces that speak to them on a sentimental level. This trend guarantees a growing appreciation for art collections, further blurring the line between consumer products and artistic expression.

This shift toward art appreciation is evident in prestigious auction houses as well. At Christie's Bangkok, a renowned global auction house, Prapavadee Sophonpanich has witnessed this transformation firsthand during her seven-year tenure. She has successfully guided collectors who initially focused exclusively on luxury items to develop a genuine enthusiasm for art.

"We have observed a significant growth in art appreciation among collectors," Prapavadee notes. "While the proportion between luxury goods and artwork sales varies annually, Christie's has seen a substantial increase in revenue from art sales. Currently, luxury items represent approximately 50%-70% of our revenue, with art sales contributing a remarkable 30%-50%—a considerable improvement from previous years. This positive trend is particularly encouraging for the art market."

Creativity Across the Lifespan

The idea that creativity declines with age is a harmful myth. Many of history's most revered artists produced their greatest works after decades of refining their skills. Claude Monet's late-career paintings came after a lifetime of studying light and colour. Folk artist Grandma Moses may have started painting in her 70s, but her work reflected decades of observing and understanding rural life. Georgia O'Keeffe's later works demonstrated the culmination of a lifetime of artistic exploration.

Professional artists understand that their craft deepens with time and experience. Each year brings new insights that inform their work, creating a richness that can only come from sustained practice.

Commitment to Continual Growth

Cammock began studying art formally at 35 after a decade as a social worker, but this represents a shift in focus rather than a beginning from zero. Many established artists explore new techniques or mediums throughout their careers, building upon their existing foundation of skills.

Successful artists recognise that growth never stops. Anne Ryan, an Irish artist with years of experience in painting, ceramics and sculpture, has taken up tap dancing not as a beginner's hobby but as a way to bring fresh energy to her already-developed artistic practice.

Here are ways to help you become more creative:

1. Finding Your Creative Space

Establishing a personal space for creativity is essential. Cammock refers to this as finding your "container." For her, walking serves this purpose: "It is a way of being in a particular space, emotionally, psychologically and intellectually."

This container might be as simple as "a desk that you have in a busy house, or it could be a window, or it could be lying in the bath." The key is "affording yourself time and space where you are somehow in your own head."

2. Get Moving to Get Creating

Physical movement often catalyses creativity. Babak Ganjei, an east London artist, prefers walking to generate ideas for his text-based paintings. "All the thinking happens while moving," he explains. "I actually find it really hard to sit still."

Similarly, Anne Ryan describes being "very physical" in her studio: "It's like music goes through my body." When inspiration is lacking, Barbadian-Scottish artist Alberta Whittle recommends dancing: "Sometimes, I really need to move my body and shake things up, so having a solo dance party can really help."

3. Embracing the Creative Process

Successful artists share certain habits that nurture creativity:

• Work at your peak hours: Identify when you're most productive. Some artists are morning people, while others find their creative flow in the evenings.
• Create consistently: As experienced artists suggest, "Try to sketch each day. Within the visual arts, that is a very good discipline."
• Disconnect to connect: Put away digital distractions. Carrying a sketchbook/ iPad can help capture inspiration throughout the day.
• Embrace doing nothing: Sometimes creativity emerges from stillness. As seasoned creators note, "Sometimes, to make you have to do nothing... and then suddenly something is happening."

Today's most innovative artists aren't abandoning traditional skills, they're integrating new technologies into practices built on solid foundations. Digital tools offer established artists new ways to express their vision, streamline certain aspects of production, and reach wider audiences. For the dedicated artist who has invested years in developing their craft, technology becomes not a shortcut but a powerful extension of their artistic voice.

Reference: The experts: artists on 20 easy, mind-expanding ways to be much more creative

Leaders face a unique challenge. That is, balancing performance expectations with human energy, innovation, and team engagement. Especially in hybrid or high-output environments, creativity can’t be forced, but it can be fostered.

Why the People-First Approach Matters More Than Ever

Whether you're running a global creative team, building an agency, or leading innovation in-house, your greatest asset is not your product, it’s your people.

A 2023 Gallup report showed that only 21% of employees feel connected to their company’s mission, and even fewer feel engaged. That’s a huge problem in industries where passion, originality, and trust are essential to performance.

So why does this happen? Because many leaders default to measuring output, chasing deadlines, and micromanaging delivery, while missing what truly drives creative performance: clarity, autonomy, and purpose.

Three Ways to Build a People-First Strategy That Drives Real Results

Here’s how creative business leaders can shift the way they lead without compromising on performance:

1. Redefine What Performance Looks Like

Not all performance is visible or easily measured. In creative work, performance often looks like collaboration, emotional investment, or even taking risks that might fail.

Instead of only focusing on deliverables and timelines, ask:

• Are people aligned on what matters most?
  
  
• Are they working from their strengths, or burning out trying to meet unrealistic expectations?
  
  
• Are your leaders clear on how to support, not just manage their teams?
  
  

Using strengths-based conversations (like CliftonStrengths®) to help individuals and teams understand what energises them and how they naturally contribute is a great foundation for teams to learn more about themselves and each other.

2. Start with Clarity, Not Control

People don’t need micromanagement, they need clarity, trust, and space.
If your team lacks clarity, they’ll overwork to compensate. If they don’t feel trusted, they’ll under-deliver. Performance suffers either way.

The best creative leaders lead with context and vision, they provide a strong direction, then get out of the way.

Ask yourself:

• Am I giving enough context for people to make smart decisions?
  
  
• Does my team know how their work connects to the bigger picture?
  
  
• Do my people feel safe to test, question, and create?
  
  

3. Coach, Don’t Just Manage

The shift from managing people to coaching them is what separates good leaders from great ones.

Performance thrives when people feel seen, challenged, and supported, not just checked on. This is especially true for high-potential creatives and future leaders who need space to grow, not just be told what to do.

Coaching-style leadership means:

• Asking better questions instead of giving all the answers
  
  
• Recognising effort and potential, not just results
  
  
• Helping your people set meaningful goals they actually care about
  
  

Final Thought: Your People Drive the Numbers

It’s easy to default to KPIs, deadlines, and targets. But if you really want performance—real, sustainable, high-impact performance—start by investing in your people.

Because the teams who feel valued, connected, and led with intention are the ones who will bring their best thinking, creativity, and energy to the work.

Lead the people well, and the numbers will follow.

The conversation around AI isn't just about its potential anymore; it's about its practical application in our daily work. We're seeing AI evolve from a novelty to a critical collaborator, capable of tackling complex problems and sparking new creative avenues. This shift is happening rapidly, with projections indicating a significant reshaping of the professional landscape by 2030, particularly in areas like AI-driven information processing (where 86% of employers anticipate change) and automation.

Creation: A New Frontier of Productivity

AI tools are redefining how we work across multiple domains. The possibilities of leveraging AI to overcome professional challenges, enhance workflows, or explore entirely new approaches are truly remarkable.

AI Tools by Category

Let's explore the diverse landscape of AI tools that are reshaping different aspects of work:

Creative and Design

• Image Generation:
  
  • Midjourney: From US$11/month (Basic Plan)
  • DALL·E 3: Integrated with ChatGPT Plus at US$20/month
• Graphic Design:
  
  • Canva Magic Studio: Free basic tier, Pro plan at US$150/user/year
  • Looka: Free Ai logo maker
• Music Generation:
  
  • Suno: Free tier available, Pro plan at US$10/month
  • Udio: Free tier available, Standard plan at US$10/month

Productivity and Communication

• AI Assistants:
  
  • ChatGPT: Free tier, Plus version at $20/month
  • Claude: Free access, Enterprise pricing varies
  • Gemini: Free tier, Advanced features priced by Google Workspace
• Writing Tools:
  
  • Jasper: Starts at US$39/month
  • SEOWind: Pricing from US$49/month
  • Rytr: Free tier, Unlimited plan at US$7.50/month
• Grammar Improvement:
  
  • Grammarly: Free basic version, Premium at US$12/month
  • Wordtune: Free tier, Unlimited at US$9.99/month
• Email Management:
  
  • HubSpot Email Writer: Included in Marketing Hub starting at US$18/month
  • Shortwave: Free tier, Pro at $14/month

Professional Services

• Project Management:
  
  • Asana: Free basic plan, Business tier from US$24.99/user/month
  • ClickUp: Free forever plan, Unlimited at US$7/user/month
  • Time Doctor: Starts at US$6.70/user/month
• Scheduling:
  
  • Clockwise: Free individual tier, Team plans from US$6.75/user/month
  • Calendly: Free individual tier, Team plans from US$10/user/month
• Customer Service:
  
  • Tidio AI: Free plan, Professional at US$29/month
  • Hiver: Starts at US$15/user/month
• Recruitment:
  
  • Textio: Custom pricing, contact for quote
  • CVViZ: Plans from $49/month
• Meeting Assistants:
  
  • Otter.ai: Free basic plan, Pro at US$8.33/user/month
  • Fathom: Free basic version, Teams plan at US$40/month

PS: Prices are accurate as of March 2025 and subject to change. Always check the latest pricing on official websites.

Final Thoughts

While AI tools offer immense potential, we must address the ethical implications. Issues like data privacy, algorithmic bias, and the potential for job displacement require careful consideration. The future of work isn't about AI replacing humans, but about humans and AI collaborating effectively. To thrive in this new era, professionals must develop skills in AI literacy, critical thinking, and adaptability.

To delve deeper into the transformative impact of AI on creativity and the ethical questions it raises, explore my previous article: "AI is transforming creativity. Will it amplify our genius or steal its soul?"

The landscape of work is transforming at an unprecedented pace. As I've navigated my own career journey, I've come to recognise that staying relevant isn't optional. It's essential for both professional survival and personal fulfilment. The intersection of emerging technologies and evolving market demands creates both challenges and opportunities for all of us seeking to thrive in this new reality.

My journey began by carving my own path, launching a digital and music lifestyle marketing startup. 

This early venture ignited my entrepreneurial spirit and planted the seeds of a lifelong passion for people, building, innovating, culture, and driving growth. Unafraid to embrace change, I have consistently ventured into dynamic leadership roles, from Managing Director at Warner Music to tackling diverse Marketing leadership positions at Discovery Asia, General Electric (GE), SingTel, and BlackBerry, regionally, globally, and locally. Throughout these experiences, I've thrived on understanding the intricate relationship between people and performance. 

I believe deeply in building culturally vibrant teams fueled by the CliftonStrengths® methodology. I became a Gallup Certified Coach during my time in Corporate, and I upskilled to be an ICF Certified ACC coach. Having honed my leadership skills through personal experience and professional training, I champion a leadership and coaching style that empowers individuals, unlocks potential, and fosters collaboration. These principles have formed the bedrock of my leadership and coaching philosophy. Living and working in dynamic hubs like Singapore, Toronto, Melbourne, and Shanghai has further enriched my perspective, offering invaluable insights into diverse cultures and markets. Today, I stand as a seasoned business leader and a passionate coach and mentor, energised by complex challenges, captivated by the thrill of growth, and driven by the belief in human potential. 

Currently, I am exploring a 2nd Degree in Organisational Psychology (applied but waiting to be accepted by the university). Understanding how to adapt through continuous learning has become my anchor in these shifting times. Over the years, I've discovered that embracing new skills isn't just about remaining competitive. It's about creating a sustainable foundation for long-term career resilience. This journey involves two distinct but complementary approaches: upskilling and reskilling. When I upskill, I'm building upon my existing expertise, refining and expanding what I already know to stay current with industry developments. It's like adding new floors to a house with strong foundations. Reskilling, however, has meant venturing into entirely new territories, learning skills outside my comfort zone when I recognise that certain expertise is becoming obsolete or when I'm drawn to explore fresh career pathways.

Both approaches have transformed not just my professional capabilities but my entire outlook. Beyond the tangible benefits of increased marketability and earning potential, I've experienced profound personal growth: enhanced confidence in tackling unfamiliar challenges, sharper problem-solving abilities, and a deeper satisfaction in my work. This continuous learning mindset has become my compass in navigating the ever-changing workplace landscape across multiple industries and geographies.

The future of work demands a carefully curated portfolio of skills that balance technological proficiency with uniquely human capabilities.

Through my observations and experiences across various leadership roles from startups to multinational corporations, I've identified several skill categories that consistently prove valuable across industries:

• Digital fluency forms the foundation of modern work effectiveness. Beyond basic software competence, today's professionals need comfort with cloud platforms, data interpretation, and cybersecurity awareness. This digital literacy has become as fundamental as reading and writing were in previous generations.
  
  
• Behavioural skills and mindsets represent our most distinctly human advantage. As automation increasingly handles routine tasks, our capacity for nuanced communication, collaborative teamwork, inspiring leadership, and creative problem-solving becomes our most valuable currency in the workplace.
  
  
• Creative thinking and innovation allow us to transcend the capabilities of machines. I've found that deliberately cultivating my imagination and ability to envision novel solutions has differentiated my contributions in ways algorithms simply cannot replicate, a skill that served me well from my startup days through corporate leadership roles at Warner Music, Discovery Asia, and beyond.
  
  
• Emotional intelligence serves as the bridge between technical expertise and meaningful human connection. Developing self-awareness alongside empathy for others has enabled me to navigate increasingly diverse and complex workplace dynamics with authenticity and effectiveness, particularly when leading multicultural teams across Singapore, Toronto, Melbourne, and Shanghai.
  
  
• Industry-specific expertise remains crucial despite technological disruption. In my experience, identifying and developing specialised knowledge relevant to your field creates unique value that complements broader skill development.
  

Turning aspiration into action requires intentional strategies and consistent practice.

My personal journey from entrepreneur to multinational corporate leader has taught me several approaches that yield meaningful results:

• Structured learning through courses and certification programmes provides essential knowledge frameworks. Whether through traditional education or online platforms, these formal pathways offer guided skill development tailored to specific needs.

• Immersive experiences like workshops and industry conferences have accelerated my learning through direct engagement with experts and peers. These environments blend instruction with valuable relationship-building opportunities that often lead to mentorship connections.

• Continuous self-education through reading and research keeps me aligned with emerging trends and best practices. This habit of curiosity has proven particularly effective for developing my soft skills and maintaining industry awareness between formal training opportunities.

• Mentorship relationships have provided me with invaluable guidance from those who've already mastered skills I'm working to develop. These connections offer not just technical advice but wisdom about applying new capabilities in real-world contexts, wisdom I now aim to pass on through my own coaching and mentoring work.

• Deliberate practice remains the cornerstone of skill mastery. I've learned that theoretical knowledge transforms into practical ability only through consistent application—whether through projects at work, side ventures, or volunteer opportunities that allow me to exercise new capabilities in meaningful ways.

The journey of continuous learning isn't always comfortable, but I've found it to be invariably rewarding. By embracing skill development as both a professional necessity and a personal value, I've discovered that adaptability itself becomes a strength, one that has provided security and fulfillment throughout my diverse career path from a digital marketing startup to leadership roles at global corporations.

Today, as I continue my professional evolution as a business leader, coach, and mentor, I remain energised by complex challenges, captivated by the thrill of growth, and driven by my belief in human potential. This commitment to continuous learning and development has not only shaped my own career journey but now fuels my passion for helping others navigate their paths in our ever-changing workplace landscape.

Whether you're fresh out of college, hunting for a new job, or looking to level up your career, having a solid network can make all the difference. Building those connections doesn't have to be awkward or intimidating. Here are 7 tips to help you network like a pro and build relationships that actually matter.

1. Know What You're After

Before you start collecting business cards or adding LinkedIn connections, take a minute to think about what you're really hoping to get out of networking:

• Want to switch careers and need an insider's perspective?
• Looking to learn new skills from people in the know?
• Eyeing a promotion and could use some advice?

Once you've got a clear picture of your goals, you can focus on connecting with the right people and communities. This saves you from wasting time at events that don't serve your purpose or reaching out to folks who can't help you move forward.

2. Get Social (Media) Smart

LinkedIn isn't just for job hunting - it's networking gold. Here's how to make the most of it:

• Upload a decent photo (no, not that beach selfie)
• Fill out your profile completely - don't be mysterious
• Jump into conversations by commenting on posts that catch your eye
• Join groups where your people hang out

Regularly popping up in people's feeds (in a helpful way, not a spammy one) keeps you on their radar. Post articles, share insights, or just drop a thoughtful comment now and then.

3. Show Up in Real Life

While online networking is convenient, nothing beats face-to-face connections. Make time for:

• Industry meetups and conferences
• Local professional happy hours or coffee mornings
• Workshops where you can learn and meet people at the same time
• Career events where everyone's there to mingle

Before you go, come up with a quick and natural way to introduce yourself. No need for a rehearsed elevator pitch - just be ready to explain what you do and what you're interested in without umming and ahhing. Remember, everyone else is there to meet new people too - they want to talk to you!

4. Don't Ghost Your New Connections

Meeting someone once doesn't make them part of your network. The magic happens in the follow-up:

• Connect online within a day or two while you're still fresh in their mind
• Send a quick message mentioning something specific you talked about
• Share that article or podcast you mentioned in your conversation
• Suggest grabbing coffee if you really hit it off

Staying in touch doesn't have to be time-consuming. Even a quick "saw this and thought of our conversation" message every few months keeps the connection warm.

5. Give Before You Get

The best networkers aren't just takers - they're givers too. Look for ways to help others out:

• Spot an article or newsletter that would be perfect for someone? Send it their way
• Know two people who should definitely meet? Make the intro
• Have knowledge that could help someone? Offer it up
• See someone in your network win big? Celebrate them publicly

When you focus on being helpful rather than just "what's in it for me," people remember you for all the right reasons. Plus, what goes around comes around in the networking world.

6. Join the Club

Professional associations aren't just for old-school industries. They're networking on easy mode:

• Regular events where you can become a familiar face
• Built-in conversation starters (you're all there for the same reason)
• Chances to volunteer and work alongside potential connections
• Access to people at different stages of careers similar to yours

These groups bring together people who share your professional interests, making it natural to strike up conversations and build relationships. Many even offer mentorship programmes or special events for newcomers.

7. Be Real and Present

Nothing kills a potential connection faster than feeling like someone's just collecting contacts or constantly scanning the room for someone "more important" to talk to:

• Actually listen when people talk (put the phone away!)
• Ask questions that show you're interested in them as a person
• Do what you say you'll do - flakiness is networking kryptonite
• Be honest about what you can offer
• Show genuine appreciation when someone helps you out

One authentic connection is worth more than 50 superficial ones and don't get discouraged if you don't see results right away. The person you have a quick chat with today might be the one who calls you about an amazing opportunity next year. Stick with it, be yourself, and focus on building genuine connections rather than just collecting contacts.