These models really helped me develop as a leader and they can also help you — I know what you are thinking: leadership theory, surely that is dull and largely irrelevant? Believe me, I understand! …

Combining work from several sources can give you income, freedom, and opportunities that exceed the old model of the salaried position — I have a portfolio career. I have developed this career steadily over the course of more than a decade. Over this period my work has developed from side hustles and freelancing into a proper career, one with purpose, direction, and development opportunities. This career allows me the flexibility and variety…

Use this framework to put decision-making theory into practice — I was savouring a coffee from my new coffee maker when a wide-eyed and breathless soldier stumbled into my makeshift office. My cup was poised in my hand — the aroma was fantastic — and the thought of drinking it was more alluring than anything I could imagine that this…

A short bio of Simon Ash Hi and welcome! Let me introduce myself. Let’s start with the two most common questions people ask someone when meeting someone for the first time. Usually these are: ‘What is your name?’ and ‘what do you do?’ So, let me answer these in turn: Who am I? My name is Simon Ash. …

The theories and approaches to support your leadership from good to great — Here is a short introduction to some of the most important leadership theories, trends, and models. These can all be instructive in understanding your own leadership style, broadening your expertise, and giving you tools to improve as a manager. Great-man theory Great Man theory (1840) is one of the oldest leadership theories…

The books that have helped me most and that I constantly recommend — Here are the books that I recommend the most to other people. The list reflects my favourite writings on leadership, management, work, strategy, decision-making and success in life. I read (and listen to audible books) vociferously but these books have impacted me most and are ones that I keep re-reading…

The Trust Equation and 8 Behaviours to Develop Trust — It was on one of my operational tours in the Balkans that the importance of trust in the workplace really came home to me. At short notice, I was deployed to an existing multi-national mission. I was given a team, drawn from various parts of the military, which had come…

The Right Questions Newsletter: 4 Things for Friday — I hope you have had a great week! Here are the four things I wanted to share with you this Friday. What I am writing about The term emotional intelligence is used a lot but sometimes I wonder whether people really know what they are referring to. I have certainly been in situations where leaders…

Why EI or EQ is more important than IQ for leaders — I like to think that I have reasonable emotional intelligence, but I don’t always get it right. One memorable occasion, when I completely misjudged the emotional content of my communication, was when I found out I had been selected to be an explosive ordnance disposal officer. I was excited and…