Alicia McKay

Based in Wellington, New Zealand. Writes on strategy, change, leadership, consulting, public sector and local government.

5 min read

Find your why journey update #2

I recently sent out a Wednesday Wisdom about a traumatic time I've experienced in my personal life and business.

1 min read

Throw your raft in the ocean

In an old Buddhist parable, a man is trapped on one side of a rushing river. On this side of the river, there is great danger and uncertainty; on the...

1 min read

Facilitate meaning through experience

I've been lucky to spend some time with Optimal Workshop recently. One of the coolest things about their office is the large library in the main...

3 min read

How to trust people to do a good job: your delegation toolkit

Some of us (cough) have trust issues. Most of those issues are for a good reason. But when it comes to leading teams at work, they can get in the way...

2 min read

Disagreement needs dignity

I had a positive social media experience this week (...I know right?!). Someone with a large public following had posted an open question about a...

1 min read

4 ways to move fast without breaking things

Hi, I'm Alicia McKay, a serial fast-moving thing-breaker. It's one of my best qualities - I execute ideas quickly and fix them as I go. I'm often on...

4 min read

How to define leadership in the real world

Leadership is all the rage, but if you're sick of swimming in buzzwords, you might find yourself asking what it really means. Read on for a real...

1 min read

How to make habit change easier

Driving to Palmerston North a couple of years ago, a good friend of mine was explaining what they'd learned in yoga about habit change.

3 min read

Social habits: why it's ok to stay home.

You heard it here first kids, the latest thing is... staying home.

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How to stick to your strategy throughout the year

Goals and dreams that seem exciting and doable when we prepare our strategy and plan can feel impossible a short time later once we're drowning in...

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How to make your problems useful

There's no way to avoid problems, I'm afraid. Problems are like cockroaches and glitter: even when the world ends, they'll still be there.

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Stop using meetings to build your culture

When I run Meetings that Matter, I challenge learners with this controversial idea:

2 min read

How to be a strategist: 3 things to do today

I've been thinking again about how to answer the dreaded BBQ question - you know, the one: "So, what do you do for work?"

End Like You Mean to Continue

Welcome to another Wednesday Wisdom. Every week, I share with you what I'm thinking about life, work, and leadership. This week we're talking about...

2 min read

It's just work: how to put work into perspective

On Sunday night, I went to check my calendar for the week. I knew I had a bit on, but I wasn't too worried. Until I got to Thursday. At that point,...

3 min read

Always be a beginner

On Saturday, I went to my first creative writing workshop. I walked in fairly confident. I've published two books (non-fiction), and I write daily. I...

2 min read

How to be kinder: a learner's perspective

I'm not always a very kind person. Not because I'm not good or generous, or because I don't care about others, but because my natural style is pretty...

2 min read

Intangible Assets: Create business value that lasts

I was listening to the radio this morning when a soundbite caught my attention - a business expert talking about "intangible assets." I've been using...

1 min read

Do, Then Decide

What are you tangled up in knots about right now? I bet you've got a decision weighing on you. Whether it's a job offer, a location change, a...

2 min read

Success Hack: Networking with the right people

The company you keep matters. When you're surrounded by smokers, you're more likely to be a smoker. When your friends are successful at work, you're...

1 min read

Your real value is converting uncertainty

Nobody knows what they're doing. Nobody. We're all winging it. Every time we face a problem, we dig through mental filing cabinets and muscle memory....

2 min read

Upgrade Your Worries: Reduce anxiety about your life choices

Welcome to another Wednesday Wisdom. Every week, I share with you what I'm thinking about life, work, and leadership. This week we're talking about...