The Retail Leadership Lens

Trying to project real authority through a laptop can feel a bit strange. I’ve seen fantastic leaders, who normally command a boardroom with ease, suddenly seem smaller behind a webcam. This is the new challenge of leadership. In our world of hybrid and virtual meetings, you can’t rely on a loud voice or physical stature to hold everyone's attention. Your influence now comes from how you present yourself on screen, the energy you bring, and how well you manage the technology

Stepping into a new leadership role often feels like being pushed on stage halfway through a play. The house lights are up, everyone’s watching, and they’re all expecting you to know your lines. The pressure is immense. There’s that constant pull between the urge to prove yourself with quick, decisive action and the critical need to avoid alienating the very people whose support you need to succeed.

Think about the last time you had a truly great shopping experience. What made it stand out? Chances are, it wasn't just one thing. It was the combination of factors, maybe a helpful salesperson in-store, a personalised email offer, and the ability to effortlessly return an item online. And that’s the aim here! I think it’s time to stop juggling and think about how to create a captivating show.