Articles

I write about the messy, real parts of transformation and leadership, the stuff that gets glossed over or doesn't fit neatly in frameworks.

This is where I share what I see, call out issues as they are, and offer practical tools and insights that actually help. Topics include making strategy real, building leadership capability, and designing work around how people actually think. Grounded in psychology, neuroscience, and hard-won experience.

Real problems. Practical solutions. Ideas to make work better for everyone.

Organisational Transformation, Organisational Performance, Leadership & Ways of Working Catherine Russell Organisational Transformation, Organisational Performance, Leadership & Ways of Working Catherine Russell

When Did Work Get So Damn Hard?

Something’s shifted in the working world. We’re busier than ever, but not moving forward. Work didn’t get harder — the way we work did. Here’s why it’s time to stop the spiral, strip back the complexity, and design work that actually works.

Read More
AI & the Brain, Leadership & Ways of Working Catherine Russell AI & the Brain, Leadership & Ways of Working Catherine Russell

Part 2 - The Thinking Modes: keep your brain strong in the age of AI

AI is brilliant at speed; it’s not a substitute for your brain. This post introduces the Thinking Modes —analytical, critical, creative, strategic, systems and metacognition—with cognitive flexibility at the centre. In plain language, you’ll see what each mode does, when to use it, and tiny daily drills to keep those circuits strong so you make sharper, more human decisions while AI does the grunt work.

Read More