The Compass
Reflections, strategies, and real leadership insights to help you navigate change, challenge, and growth.
Why Leadership Is the Last Competitive Advantage in Advertising
We used to sell magic. Now it’s algorithms, templates, and turnaround times.
Clients today aren’t hiring agencies for output, they’re investing in judgment, clarity, and courage. They want leaders who can confidently guide, especially when everything around them is automated.
Sure, anyone can buy AI tools or license tech. But leadership must be grown—from within, with grit, with empathy, with heart.
As agencies are commoditised, the biggest gap will be leadership.
Stop Calling It a Culture Problem. It’s Usually a Leadership Problem
We love to talk about culture. We celebrate it in slide decks, measure it in quarterly engagement surveys, and market it with filtered photos of team events and branded T-shirts.
And when things go wrong, when trust erodes, high performers leave, or a team slips into apathy, the diagnosis is almost always the same: “We’ve got a culture problem.”
Coaching With Integrity: Why ICF Standards Matter More Than Ever
In a world where anyone can call themselves a coach, standards matter.
Coaching is an unregulated industry. There are no formal barriers to entry, no central licensing authority, and little accountability unless a coach voluntarily chooses to uphold professional standards.
At True North Executive Coaching & Leadership, we believe coaching should be as trusted and respected as any other profession rooted in human development. That trust begins with ethical accountability.
That's why we're proud members of the International Coaching Federation (ICF), the leading global organisation for professional coaching. ICF accreditation isn't just a line in our bios, it's the foundation of how we show up.
The Unseen Emotional Labour of Leadership (And Why It’s Burning People Out)
When we talk about leadership, we often default to the visible: strategy, board meetings, revenue goals, stakeholder reports. The outcomes. The optics. The KPIs.
But there’s a layer underneath all of that; invisible, unspoken, and heavy. The emotional labour of leadership.
Why Protecting a Toxic Performer Is the Fastest Way to Erode Your Culture
Every leader has encountered that person.
They hit every target, dominate client meetings, bring in new business, and consistently “deliver results.” On the surface, they’re a dream hire. But look more closely, and you’ll see the signs: junior staffers avoiding eye contact, nervous laughter in meetings, high turnover in their team, and a growing sense of emotional tension that no KPI dashboard can measure.