Build #53 - reflective leadership and organisational containers.

Hello,

Today I've got three interesting founder-friendly links worth your time:

1. Four keys to leading today​

Not another leadership article, surely Simon? In this one Rishad Tobaccowala sets out what he considers important leaders in 2025 through four components.He explores these areas in some depth and provides a refreshing candidness about what good leadership really looks like in the new era of work.

My take: Regular Build readers will know I'm a big Rishad fan. This piece cuts through a lot of bland leadership platitudes and gives plenty of food for thought for founders as they lead growth.

2. Organisational structure — container or constrainer?​

James Gairdner has an interesting and in depth exploration of the role of organisational structure in rapid growth businesses. Through the work of Elliot Jacques he lifts the lid of what's really going on as founders wrestle with the structures of their growing businesses.

My take: This article is worth reading because it looks deeper than many pieces that concern themselves with organisational design in scaling businesses. James encourages founders to think about issues like conflict, confusion or bottlenecks - and whether they are simply operational things or representative of something deeper going on.

3. Why leaders should engage in reflective practice​

Yep, more leadership. This article explains in some detail what reflective practice means in the context of leadership. It makes a strong case for why leaders should reflect more and how this can help them improve their effectiveness.

My take: My coaching studies last year taught me a lot about reflective practice. I love Hayley’s newsletter articles as they balance well-evidenced techniques with real-world pragmatism. This one’s worth ten minutes of your time to understand more about why thinking about yourself will pay dividends.

Next week I’m back with a longer piece looking at why your lovely outcome-focussed goals for 2025 might not be doing you any favours.

Until then, have a great week.

best,
-sw