Sarah Wallace Coaching

Ok, let's look at some research:

What are the Top Leadership Skills?
(Harvard Business Review, Forbes, McKinsey, Center for Creative Leadership) i

1. Emotional Intelligence – Consistently ranked as the #1 predictor of leadership success

2. Communication – Research indicates that over 50% of leadership effectiveness is linked to strong, clear, transparent and inspiring communication skills

3. Empowering Others / Delegation
Studies on transformational show that leaders who empower teams increase innovation, engagement and retention. Research from Gallup suggests teams led by empowering leaders are up to 21% more productive

4. Visionary Thinking – Studies by McKinsey and Harvard Business Review highlight that leaders who clearly communicate vision improve alignment, engagement and organisational success. Leaders with strategic vision are 3–5 times more likely to drive high performance in their teams

5. Adaptability/Flexibility – The ability to thrive amid uncertainty is increasingly critical in today’s fast-changing environment. Deloitte’s 2023 Global Leadership Study found 83% of organisations prioritise leaders who can navigate uncertainty and change

Do you agree?
Which of these do you excel in?
What other Leadership Skills do you think make a difference?
Which ones are you working on right now?

Sarah
____________________________________________________
Leadership & Development Consultant & NLP Certified Coach
Exec MBA - CIPD Associate

Reading Big Fish by Daniel Wallace is a reminder of how stories shape who we are and how we experience life. 📖

In this poignant Father-Son story, Edward Bloom’s life is told through larger-than-life tales, some fantastical, some bittersweet, but each story reflects truth in its own way. Stories don’t just entertain; they help us make sense of the world, craft meaning, and even shape the realities we live in.

We all tell stories, about our past, our dreams and even ourselves. How we choose to tell them can transform ordinary moments into something extraordinary, inspire those around us and leave a legacy that lasts beyond our own lifetime.

AND storytelling isn’t just for books or films, it’s one of the most powerful tools in business.

Every brand, every leader, every product has a story. When told well, it creates connection, builds trust and inspires action. People don’t just buy products or services, they buy meaning, purpose and the storyteller.

Stories make you memorable.

Effective storytelling in business means:
✨ Showing your values through real experiences
✨ Making your vision relatable and memorable
✨ Turning challenges into lessons your audience can connect with
✨ Inviting your team, clients, or customers to be part of your journey

In a world full of information, stories are what make brands human, memorable, and impactful.

What stories are you telling about your life and your work? How do they shape your reality? How do they bring people to you?

Sarah
____________________________________________________
Leadership & Development Consultant & NLP Certified Coach
Exec MBA - CIPD Associate

Wishing you all a wonderful day and week ahead!

Whether this week you slow down, recharging your batteries and treating yourself to that quiet, reflective time which is so important.
Or whether this week brings energy, actions and achievements!

Knowing the difference and listening to what you need is one of the building blocks of success in whatever field you may be.

Here's your reminder to think of YOURSELF and do what YOU need this week!

Sarah
____________________________________________________
Leadership & Development Consultant & NLP Certified Coach
Exec MBA - CIPD Associate

We’ve all had bosses, mentors and leaders who left a mark on us. Who was yours? What made them different? Was it something they said, did or the way they made you feel?

The truth is, we’re all inspired by different approaches. Some leaders motivate through encouragement, others through high expectations. Some lead with humour, others with calm clarity.

And despite the importance of being authentic to our own individual style of leadership, also knowing when to flex those muscles, adapting to what our team, colleagues or clients truly need, is vital. It’s not a "one size fits all". Using a variety of leadership styles can help us get the best from each person around us.

Leadership is a practice. It’s about listening, observing, learning and responding, so the people around you feel supported, challenged and inspired.

Sarah
____________________________________________________
Leadership & Development Consultant & NLP Certified Coach
Exec MBA - CIPD Associate

💭 Monday Motivation

Who else is feeling this today? 🙋‍♀️
It’s funny how our relationship with direction and structure evolves, what once felt restrictive can now feel grounding. And this can change from day to day!

Sometimes, clarity is the most empowering thing we can give ourselves.

✨ Here’s to starting the week with focus, purpose, and a plan. ✨



Sarah
____________________________________________________
Leadership & Development Consultant & NLP Certified Coach
Exec MBA - CIPD Associate

☕ Sunday Musings ☕

I often find that people use the words coaching and mentoring interchangeably, yet they’re quite different in both purpose and approach.

🔸 Coaching is about facilitating self-discovery. It’s a guided process that helps someone uncover their own answers, strengths, and direction. The coach isn’t the expert in your field, you are. Their role is to create the right space for clarity, insight, and action.

🔸 Mentoring, on the other hand, is rooted in experience. A mentor shares knowledge, lessons and perspective drawn from their own journey to help someone navigate theirs.

Both are tools, not job titles. Every professional can use elements of coaching or mentoring, depending on the situation and the individual’s needs.

The key lies in clarity: knowing which hat you’re wearing and why. Are you facilitating self-discovery, or sharing experience and guidance? Being transparent with your client or colleague about this makes the process far more meaningful and effective.

💭 How do you use these two approaches in your work?



Sarah
____________________________________________________
Leadership & Development Consultant & NLP Certified Coach
Exec MBA - CIPD Associate

This week, I’ve been working with a new client, exploring what leadership truly means, not just as a title, but as a way of being.

Every leader has their own style, shaped by experience, values and personality. Authentic leadership isn’t about imitation; it’s about leading with integrity, confidence and a genuine sense of purpose.

That said, strong leadership does encompass certain must-haves.
At its core, leadership is about people.

Leaders are there to EDUCATE, EMPOWER and INSPIRE.

So ask yourself today:

💭 How do you do this?
💭 What could you do better?
💭 And what one action or change will you commit to this week?



Sarah
____________________________________________________
Leadership & Development Consultant & NLP Certified Coach
Exec MBA - CIPD Associate

Monday Morning Motivation ☀️

This morning's client meeting on got me thinking… how often do you go first?

At work, with friends, family or in relationships. Are you the one to reach out, start a conversation, give a compliment or ask how someone’s really doing?

Sometimes we wait for others to take the first step, willing them to read our minds! But what if you went first? What if that simple smile, comment or question opened a door, made someone’s day, or even changed yours?

Let’s start the week with a little courage and a lot of heart.
Go first. You never know what might come from it.



Sarah
____________________________________________________
Leadership & Development Consultant & NLP Certified Coach
Exec MBA - CIPD Associate

You’re stronger than you think.

Most of us hit a wall and assume we’re done - but in reality, when you think you’ve given it your all, you’re often only at 40% capacity.

That tension, tiredness, or resistance you feel? It’s your body trying to protect you, pulling you back into safety, comfort, calm. And while safety has its place… it doesn’t create breakthroughs.

🔥 Growth begins the moment you choose to override that instinct.

Next time you:

🏋️ push through a workout → do 10 more reps
📚 dive into research → check 1 more reference
📖 read a book → finish 1 more chapter

Whatever your goal is, lean in and give 10% more. Not to burn out, but to lift your baseline, consistently, progressively, powerfully.

✨ Progress lives just beyond comfort.

👉 What’s the extra 10% you’ll give today?

HOW ARE YOU FEELING RIGHT NOW? 💬

Yes really, how are you feeling?
Not "I'm fine"
Not "Great thanks and you?"

But really what is going on for you now.

We tend to push down emotions. Keep them inside us. Ignore them.
But this leads us to feel:
- Alone
- Confused
- Stuck

This Monday, and maybe every Monday, I want you to ask yourself this question. "How am I doing right now?"
Take a deep breath before answering, and answer as honestly as you can.
You may not like the answer, but studies show that problems seem a lot LESS SCARY when outside your body and not inside. 💪

I start all my client sessions with this question. It really helps us to connect, focus and it frees up space to work on this issues, once we give them a name.

Try it! I'll write mine in the comment and you also, let me know about you ✍

Sarah
____________________________________________________
Leadership & Development Consultant & NLP Certified Coach
Exec MBA - CIPD Associate

"You can attract luck simply by telling people what you are working on."
James Clear

- A recurring message with my clients this week.
- Be brave to talk about YOU
- Share your dreams, ideas, projects and services

Be your biggest advocate!

Sarah
____________________________________________________
Leadership & Development Consultant & NLP Certified Coach
Exec MBA - CIPD Associate