2025: A Year of Testing, Learning, and Leveling Up
Reflecting on the move from LinkedIn to Substack, the rise of the LevelUp Podcast, and why 2026 is the year of the 'Enhanced Leader'.
As we approach the final days of December, I have found myself looking back at the trajectory of this platform: from its quiet beginnings to the vibrant community it is today. When I launched the LevelUp LinkedIn page at the start of the year, my goals were modest. It was intended as a simple backdrop for my coaching work and a place to host brief articles and resources as part of my coaching side-hustle. I have always been open about the fact that writing is not my primary passion, yet the journey of 2025 has been defined by a willingness to experiment and a passion for sharing insights that help us all level up.
I have thoroughly enjoyed this year of growth. It has been a process of constant iteration, where the feedback from you, the readers and listeners, has shaped every step. The most significant shift has been the realisation that the articles and the dialogue they spark have now overtaken the coaching as the primary aim of LevelUp Leadership. While LinkedIn remains a wonderful space for social media-style engagement and hosts my largest community of coaches, I eventually felt it was not the right home for serious, long-form exploration.
The Decision to Start Afresh
Moving to Substack and starting from scratch was a very difficult decision. Leaving behind an established audience to build something new from the ground up requires a certain level of courage and a lot of belief in the value of the content. Currently, my followership here is at an early stage, but the momentum is building every day. My goal for 2026 is to make the full transition, tipping the balance so that this Substack community becomes larger, more relevant, and more deeply engaged than my previous LinkedIn engagement.
In my book, ‘Enhanced Leadership’, I discuss the importance of intentional pivots. I wrote that ‘leadership is not a static destination, but a series of courageous departures from what is comfortable’. This move to Substack is my own personal departure from the comfortable, aimed at providing you with a more focused and insightful reading experience.
The Evolution of Dialogue: From Text to Audio
The evolution did not stop with the platform. Halfway through the year, I introduced audio formats following feedback from those who prefer to listen while commuting or exercising. It quickly became apparent that a regular podcast format was more effective than simple downloadable audio articles.
After a few experts reached out to become guests, the LevelUp Leadership Podcast evolved into a mixture of interviews with global experts and senior leaders alongside my own content. This transition from static text to dynamic conversation has added a layer of depth that I could not have anticipated. For 2026, the strategy is clear: regular podcasts with articles acting as partners, all hosted here on our primary base.
A Chronology of a Year in Growth
Looking back at our archive, the breadth of our testing phase is clear. We began the year focusing on the foundations of coaching, but as we moved into the summer and autumn, the topics grew in complexity.
In September, we explored the ‘Three Cs’ framework with Tamara Miles: Community, Contribution, and Challenge. This was followed by a deep dive into agency with Jon Rosenberg, where we discussed how to move from a reactive survival mindset to a proactive thriving mindset. These conversations laid the groundwork for our November focus on organisational culture.
November brought a powerful discussion with Fred Miller on why caring is the key to unleashing agency. We also launched our AI series, which challenged the strategic shift of viewing AI as a teammate rather than just a tool. Mercedes Martin joined us to discuss re-wiring leadership for authenticity, and Chris March shared why being human is a leader’s greatest strength in a crisis.
As we moved into December, we focused on high-stakes communication. Ian Stringer, a Premier League commentator, shared insights on public speaking and commanding a room under pressure. Jennifer Riel introduced us to ‘Integrative Thinking’, a framework for creating better choices rather than settling for mediocre compromises. Finally, our conversation with Nick Shackleton-Jones on ‘The Sat-Nav Trap’ explored why convenience can be the enemy of capability.
Core Concepts for the Future
Two core concepts have emerged as the pillars of our work moving forward: Agency and Adaptive Leadership.
Agency is the capacity to make intentional choices and believe in their impact. In an AI-shaped world, the ability to maintain human agency is what will separate successful leaders from the rest. As I note in ‘Enhanced Leadership’: ‘The moment we stop making intentional choices is the moment we stop leading and start merely reacting to the algorithms of our environment’.
Adaptive Leadership involves moving beyond standard playbooks. The corporate world is changing too fast for rigid rules. We must embrace a style that is human, flexible, and effective. This means being willing to clear the ‘cognitive fog’ of daily tasks to focus on what truly matters: people and purpose.
Practical Applications for Leaders
For those in leadership roles, the lessons of 2025 suggest a shift in focus. You should look at where you might be creating a ‘Sat-Nav Trap’ for your teams. Are you providing so much direction that you are inadvertently stripping them of their ability to navigate?
Instead, focus on setting clear guardrails and then unleashing the agency of your people. Use AI to clear your cognitive load, but ensure you remain the ‘human in the loop’ for all high-stakes decisions. Practise integrative thinking by refusing to settle for the first two obvious options; look for the creative third way that combines the strengths of both.
Insights for the Coaching Community
For coaches, these concepts offer a rich territory for supporting clients. Our role is changing; we are no longer just providers of tools, but partners in building resilience and agency. Use the ‘Three Cs’ framework to help your coachees find their place in their communities.
Encourage your clients to reclaim their authentic voices. Authenticity is a strategic move that prevents burnout and builds trust. Help them navigate the transition from being an operator to becoming a pioneer in their own fields.
Looking Ahead to 2026
If 2025 was the year of testing and learning, 2026 will be the year of honing in. The core of this focus is my first book, ‘Enhanced Leadership’, which officially launches in February 2026. This work synthesises everything we have explored on the website, moving beyond standard playbooks to embrace a leadership style that is adaptive and effective.
I want to thank every guest who joined me this year. Their insights have been invaluable.
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Level Up Leadership is a passion project in my spare time. I enjoy doing it, and I intend to keep these articles and podcasts free. However, the software and equipment I use isn’t free! So, if you are enjoying this content and would like to make a donation, you can do so by clicking this button. Thank you.