The ocean shaped my leadership approach as much as the office – here's why

Leadership methods are too often framed through the narrow lens of corporate KPIs, with a focus on strategy, structure and outcomes. While these elements matter, they don’t tell the full story. In prioritising performance metrics, many leaders and organisations overlook the fact that leadership, at its core, is a human-centric concept.

Leadership is about creating the right company culture lived by the organisation coherently every day; guiding teams through uncertainty, inspiring growth, building meaningful relationships and creating space for people to thrive. Some of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned didn’t come from boardrooms or management training, but from experiences that tested me in different ways. It was the combination of years of industry experience and my sabbatical spent at sea, coupled with regular high mountaineering expeditions, that shaped the three pillars of my personal leadership strategy: agility, resilience and mentorship.

Viewing change as a catalyst for innovation

In many organisations, change is viewed with caution, as something to manage, or in some cases, to mitigate. It’s often seen as disruptive and risky, but the reality is that change is inevitable. And while it may be difficult to navigate — both operationally and from a people perspective — it also presents a valuable leadership opportunity.

Rather than asking “why I cannot do it”, the more powerful consideration is “I can do it if...”. By reframing change as a proactive choice rather than a reactive challenge, leaders can empower their teams to take ownership of transformation which in turn builds a more agile, resilient and purpose driven team culture.

When change is embraced, it becomes a force for innovation. Disruption can be converted into momentum and new ways of working will emerge, which fosters a more forward-thinking business approach in the long term.

A lesson from the ocean: calm resilience

My leadership ethos wasn’t shaped entirely within office walls. During my sabbatical, I trained as a professional skipper and had the incredible experience of sailing across the South Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans. Those months taught me a great deal about myself and about leading and performing under extreme high pressure.

At sea, clarity of mind, calmness and accountability aren’t just beneficial traits, they’re essential for survival. When conditions are unpredictable and stakes are high, your mindset becomes your most important tool. You learn to respond, not react, and to lead by example, especially when others are looking to you for guidance.

The same mindset applies in business. Whether you're navigating a vessel through a storm or leading a team through hypergrowth during economic uncertainty, the need for calm, clear and resilient leadership is the same. It’s not about pretending everything’s fine, it’s about creating stability so that others can perform with confidence, even in difficult conditions.

Mentorship as a driver of diversity

True leadership means lifting others as you rise, especially when it comes to championing diversity. While progress has been made across industries like technology and financial services, structural barriers still exist, particularly for women in technical and senior roles.

Mentorship is one of the most powerful tools we have for accelerating change and creating a critical mass to drive change Sharing your own learnings and experiences to foster fast learnings and reflections, offering support and encouragement, connecting individuals — these small but intentional acts create real momentum. However, mentorship must be embedded at every level. It’s not just a programme; it’s a leadership mindset.

Don’t lose sight of a human-centric approach

My own experience has taught me that empathy and lived experience matter just as much as performance metrics. In a world that often prioritises process over people, I believe in a more grounded and holistic view of leadership.

Great leaders aren’t shaped solely by corporate playbooks. Often very impactful lessons come also from outside the office. What differentiates a good leader from an average one isn’t perfection, it’s the ability to navigate complexity, inspire trust and build teams that thrive.