Alicia McKay

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

1 min read

Earn trust: engaging for change

Imagine proposing at the first introduction. At the Magiq Conference dinner on Monday night, I had attendees do exactly that, by proposing marriage...

2 min read

How to make a good decision

Making decisions is hard work. It’s hard enough to make choices for yourself - bring other people into the mix, and it can seem impossible. How do...

3 min read

How to get on top of your stupidly long list

It's the most... overwhelming... time of the yeeear. 🎶

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What strategic planning is about (and not about)

Last week, I sent you a 4-minute strategy breakdown from a recorded webinar - about what strategy is, and how it works. You flooded our inbox with...

4 minute low-down: what "strategy" is

Here's a four-minute strategy breakdown from a recorded webinar—what and how strategy works. If four minutes is too long, here's the sub-100-word...

2 min read

Nurture a network of freaks

Your peer group will shape you Choose a new normal Be a freak of nurture. Your peer group will shape you The company you keep will shape your life...

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Reasons, seasons and changing jobs

You're probably familiar with the opening line of a poem by Brian A. Chalker:

6 min read

You deserve this. Bye. (Dealing with jealousy)

Why do people get jealous when you shine? This week, I got a message from a follower on LinkedIn.

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Set your own direction

The unhelpful pressure of a master plan Navigation needs a starting point Get perspective on your past Set your future compass Take the next right...

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Pay yourself first

Why you need to pay yourself first My experiment with sequencing Useful strategies for your life An important disclaimer. Why You Need to Pay...

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Serve the room: questions to ask for leadership success

In local government, many elected members think they must be approachable and responsive to their constituents. They personally follow up on service...

5 min read

You don't know how great you can be: expand your possibilities

My first business was cleaning houses at 17 Me, aged 18, with my baby daughter

8 min read

How to get better at making mistakes

In late 2019, I interviewed a Mayor on stage at a conference in Australia. His Council had done some seriously impressive work, and they were...

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Happy people don't judge you

Do you find yourself worrying about what people think about you?

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How to craft your value proposition

GET YOUR FREE WORKBOOK When you have a clear value proposition you show up with confidence and intention. You attract better clients, do better work,...

7 min read

'aha'! meet: the ambitious high achiever

Backache Signs you're an AHA My one question for you A prescription for change. Backache Two weeks ago, I pulled three 16+ hour days in a row. I...

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Why now is the right time to start your own business

You already know the benefits of self-employment: freedom to shape your work and lifestyle, earning potential, and more fulfilling and impactful...

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What to do before you quit your job to start a business

What should you do before leaving your job to start your own consulting business? What boxes do you need to tick, and how much money do you need in...

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Why people are opting out of corporate bullshit

I only lasted four years as an employee. I loved the work I was doing (strategic planning and policy in local government) and wanted to keep doing...

6 min read

How to make hard decisions more easily

Have you got a hard choice to make? Whether it's at work or home, having tricky choices ahead weighs on you, even when you aren't actively thinking...

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Pick your path: boundaries, decisions, focus

What problems are you battling with this week? If it's one of these three things, I have some stuff that might help.

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Two questions to understand yourself differently

What would you do for free? What are your favourite household jobs? A useful reminder, in case you're doubting yourself What I'd do for free I've...

5 min read

How i developed consultants of choice (+ graphs)

The Consultants of Choice Foundation Programme development journey - in a series of graphs and pictures. After banging my head into a metaphorical...

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5 career mistakes everyone (from junior to executive) should avoid

A few years ago, I asked a group of public sector executives one simple question: “What are the biggest mistakes you've made in your career?”