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How to we lead ourselves in a world full of fear and anxiety? 💖😡
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Dear community Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about quiet leadership. The kind of leadership that helps people feel more connected to themselves, each other and the wider system around them. The kind of leadership where people eventually say..."We did it ourselves.” Something I adored supporting when I ran big teams. But then I look at the noise of Instagram, leaders peddling fear and division to create a following, and a world feeling more oppressed, from increasing food prices to Palestine. I keep re-reading Chapter 17 of the Tao Te Ching lately, where the verse talks about the best leaders are barely known by the people. I am struggling with the verse right now. For me the verse is about leadership rooted in relationship, not dominance. It doesn’t mean being subordinate, or allowing others to dominate. For me it means amplifying others, even one person, especially my son. Then I get pulled back into a world surrounded by leaders who are feared. Leaders who oppress. Leaders who lead through hierarchy and power-over. Sometimes it feels like loudness is rewarded more than care. I think maybe I should be loud. Then I remember any times I lead without clear connection between the mind and heart... Ooops. Does performance carry more energy than meaningful action? How do we continue showing up elevating others,, in a world shaped by violence, anxiety and control? When those oppressors affect our funding, our team's worries, our own anxiety... can we still be the one navigating from a place of groundedness? And can this form of leadership really meet this moment? Part of me still believes it can. Because quiet leadership is not passive. It is.... It is action without spectacle. Presence without ego (or Instagram 🤣). It's a relationship with ourselves and with those we lead. I’m left with a few questions this morning..my neurospicey brain can never just sit with one! 🤣 • What value can I hold in this form of leadership, without needing others to see it? Let me know how this lands. Talk to me about your teams. I'd love to know what's true for you. 💫💫💫 One off unique event💫💫💫 Something different to foster belonging: Grief Tenders for Liberation17 June 2026, 12pm - 4pm, Camden Town, London (Secret location, 5 minutes from the tube station) If you are near London, you are warmly invited to Grief Tenders for Liberation, a gathering for activists, social justice organisers and overwhelmed hearts. Together we will hold some of the collective grief many of us are carrying, so that we can leave a little freer, more connected, and more able to act in the world with courage and care. An afternoon to breathe, connect and remember we are not alone. Register here - https://griefandliberation.carrd.co/ And a song.. to seek quietness among the noise
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Mohammed Ali (The Innovation)
If you are working on social impact and social justice this is a newsletter to energise your journey - sign up by adding your email below
Dear community So I did my usual meditation this morning. I put a colander on my head, stuck a whisk in the air, and asked the universe a question... Today’s question was: What’s a big challenge in society?” I’m kidding about the first bit (colander and whisk). Although next time Eli asks me one of his endless “Why?” questions, I will genuinely hand him a colander and whisk. 🤣 But I did ask the question... seriously. And the answer that came up was:Men. Not all men. But men. I gulp a little...
Dear amazing community. Can you help share this? Grief Tenders for Liberation | 17 June 12pm-4pm | Camden Town 30 spaces available! A gathering for activists, social justice campaigners and overwhelmed hearts. I'm partnering with a group of amazing facilitators for a one-off event that will ground you, bring us into community and give us more collective energy. We want to help support you during this time of seismic trauma, in community. We're running it on a donation basis to keep it...
Dear community I took a long break from writing to find my compass again. I realised I had lost my boundaries due to grief. Grief of what I expected, of my ancestors, of the world. Grief of how I have harmed others and others have harmed me. (How I harmed others is right edgy one) Triggered, like many, by the pyramid of cards falling after Trump’s actions this last 18 months. I have found my way back to my compass. It feels like a building, structurally sound, covered in moss. So clear. Like...