Articles & Insights

This is where I write about self-leadership, identity, decision-making and what it takes to lead well through change, complexity or being under pressure. The articles here are written for founders, senior leaders and entrepreneurs who want to think more clearly, trust their own judgment and operate at the level they know is available to them. You will also find selected reading recommendations and podcast content from The Mindset Exchange.

Katherine Ashmore Katherine Ashmore

When the Leader You’ve Become Doesn’t Feel Like You

Getting to a leadership position takes real drive and effort. What happens when you get there and realise something about your clarity or sense of self has got a bit foggy along the way? A look at why this happens, why it is more common than people admit, and what actually helps.

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Katherine Ashmore Katherine Ashmore

What Is Identity and Why I Mention It

Identity is one of those words that gets used a lot but what is it? What it means, why we all have more than one version of it, why getting clear on yours tends to change more than you might expect, and where coaching comes in, especially in times of change or juggling.

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Katherine Ashmore Katherine Ashmore

The Things Most Misunderstood About Confidence

Confidence is a quality in life that be one of the most consistently misread. An article about what confidence is, why high achievers struggle with it most, and what really helps.

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Katherine Ashmore Katherine Ashmore

Why Decisions Feel Harder Than They Used To

Sometimes what we think is the challenge, really isn't. A look at why decisions feel harder than they used to, what is underneath the ones that keep coming back, and what tends to help. Drawing on thirty years of experience and backed by research.

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Katherine Ashmore Katherine Ashmore

How Do You Know When You Need a Coach - The Honest Answer

An answer for leaders, founders and senior professionals backed by experience and research - covering the signs, what coaching is, and why investing in your own thinking is a strategic advantage, more than people realise.

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Katherine Ashmore Katherine Ashmore

Where Your Energy Goes, Your Identity Follows

When your best thinking stops going where it should, direction and performance start to suffer. An article about decision fatigue and the brain drain affecting experienced leaders and founders, and the question worth sitting with.

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Katherine Ashmore Katherine Ashmore

Why Your Mindset Matters in the AI Era

AI is moving very fast and a lot of leaders are feeling the pressure to keep pace with it. This article looks at why thoughtful response matters more than rushed reaction, and what staying clear about your own thinking really looks like in practice.

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Katherine Ashmore Katherine Ashmore

Accountability: The Secret Sauce of Coaching

A large number of people know what they want to do. The gap between knowing and doing is where accountability earns its place. A look at what accountability really is in a coaching context, why it works and how it changes the quality of decisions and follow-through.

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Katherine Ashmore Katherine Ashmore

Riding The Wave: Staying Grounded in Overwhelming Times

Pressure and the page can affect how clearly you think, how well you make decisions and how much of yourself you bring to the work. A look at what staying grounded means for leaders and professionals navigating demanding periods, and what tends to help.

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Katherine Ashmore Katherine Ashmore

What It Really Takes to Shape Your Vision Into Reality

Knowing what you want to build is one thing. Keeping hold of it through the reality of building it is another. A direct look at what consistency and direction actually require from founders and entrepreneurs, and where the thinking tends to go wrong.

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Katherine Ashmore Katherine Ashmore

No Rest for the Wicked?

The phrases and beliefs embedded in our culture shape how we think about ourselves without us noticing. A look at the language we inherit and what it costs when we accept it without question.

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Videos

I have selected these videos to offer a range of perspectives; including a snapshot of one of my episodes of my podcast, The Mindset Exchange. They’re perfect for a quick boost of insight, a moment of reflection, or exploring some themes that could be addressed in life coaching.

This the first 30 minutes of one of my episodes on The Mindset Exchange podcast. I’m joined by Marnie Wills - CEO, founder, and AI strategist - whose journey has taken her from international athlete and teacher to entrepreneur and business leader.

We cover:

▪️ Identity shifts through career and business transitions

▪️ The athlete mindset in leadership and entrepreneurship

▪️ Redefining success - from chasing metrics to finding meaning

▪️ Why leaders need an AI-first mindset, and where to begin

▪️ The future of work - with 64% of Gen Alpha’s jobs not yet existing

It’s not just a conversation about technology. It’s about how we keep showing up as humans, staying connected, and using AI to amplify what matters most.

🎧 To continue watching or listening, click to subscribe on your favourite podcast platforms here

Mel Robbins is an American lawyer, television host, author, and motivational speaker. She is someone who has openly suffered with anxiety as an over-achiever and go-getter. This video is a short motivational talk by Mel Robbins with some useful insights on how to help shift a negative mindset, procrastination or overthinking, personally or professionally.

A short inspiring talk by surgeon Atul Gawande on how performance can improve with coaching.

Reading

  • Book cover of 'The Let Them Theory' by Mel Robbins, featuring green background with yellow dot pattern.

    "The Let Them Theory" by Mel Robbins

  • Book cover of 'Atomic Habits' by James Clear featuring the subtitle 'Tiny Changes, Remarkable Results.'

    "Atomic Habits" by James Clear

  • Book cover of "You Are a Badass" by Jen Sincero, celebrating its 10th anniversary edition, featuring a yellow background and bold black and red text emphasizing self-improvement and empowerment themes.

    "You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Leading an Awesome Life" by Jen Sincero

  • Cover of the book 'Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life' by Héctor García and Francesc Miralles, featuring a branch with blossoms.

    "Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life" by Héctor García and Francesc Miralles

  • Cover of Brené Brown's book "Daring Greatly: How the Courage to be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead." Subtitle mentions the endorsement by Sir Ken Robinson.

    "Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead" by Brené Brown

  • Cover of the book "The Four Agreements" by don Miguel Ruiz featuring floral artwork and a green cross.

    "The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom" by Don Miguel Ruiz