LATEST IN LEADERSHIP INSIGHTS AND STRATEGY

By Diane Southwick, Managing Director, DSA Executive The transition from executive leadership to a Non-Executive Director (NED) role is increasingly attractive, offering intellectual challenge, strategic influence, and a continued seat at the leadership table, often with greater flexibility. But moving into a NED role isn’t simply about having had a successful career. It requires a… Continue reading So you want to be an NED?

It’s no secret that great leaders tend to be great communicators. For example Winston Churchill, Nelson Mandela, Oprah Winfrey, Steve Jobs. But what, exactly, do followers find so compelling about the way these people speak? Whilst presence and gravitas are important, one key but often overlooked hallmark of effective speakers is their ability to convey… Continue reading 5 Ways You can  Positively Communicate Power as a Leader

What are the Key Trends in Management and Leadership Recruitment Today? Sluggish Hiring & Rising Talent Supply The KPMG/REC UK Report on Jobs confirms a continued slowdown in hiring, with permanent placements falling sharply through May and June while temporary recruitment also declines—though at a slightly slower pace. Candidate availability has surged to levels not… Continue reading Top Trends in UK Management and Leadership Recruitment

Why Using an Executive Headhunter Unlocks the Talent You Can’t Usually Reach When it comes to filling executive roles, the stakes are high. These appointments shape the future of your organisation — influencing culture, performance, and long-term strategy. Yet, despite the importance, many businesses still rely on the same traditional routes: job boards, internal promotions,… Continue reading Where have all the (Top) candidates gone?

Why Executives and Managers Benefit from External Coaching that Puts the Person First In today’s fast-moving business world, leaders are under increasing pressure to deliver results, drive transformation, and navigate constant uncertainty. But amid the demands of performance metrics and strategic objectives, one vital component is often overlooked: the person behind the role. This is… Continue reading Why you should engage an External Coach – not an internal one

In the pursuit of accessibility, transparency, and support, many leaders have made one-to-one meetings the backbone of their leadership style. But there’s a growing case for scaling them back — not to disengage, but to lead more effectively. While one-to-ones can be valuable, over-relying on them may be draining your time, diluting your impact, and… Continue reading Why Leaders Should Rethink the Volume of One-to-One Meetings

How AI Is Reshaping Leadership: 5 Key Shifts Every Executive Should Understand Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a distant concept or futuristic vision—it’s here, embedded in daily operations, strategic planning, and people management. For leaders, the implications are far-reaching. While AI offers vast opportunity, it also demands a shift in how leadership is practiced.… Continue reading How AI is Reshaping Leadership: 5 key Shifts every Executive should understand

In 2025, the CEO role is becoming more demanding than ever. The pace of change across technology, workforce dynamics, and economic volatility is forcing leaders to constantly recalibrate. This isn’t just about navigating disruption—it’s about leading through complexity, ambiguity, and pressure that no longer eases up. Here are five critical challenges facing UK-based CEOs today.… Continue reading The CEO Reality Check: Five Pressing Challenges Facing UK Leaders in 2025

There’s a quiet crisis brewing in boardrooms and leadership teams across the UK. While the talent market at mid-level remains competitive, organisations are increasingly struggling to source and secure senior leaders — the experienced executives who can bring stability, strategic foresight, and commercial maturity to their business. This shortage isn’t just anecdotal. It’s structural. Why… Continue reading The Disappearing Pipeline: Why Senior Talent Is Getting Harder to Find — And What to Do About It