This month has definitely had a sense of Spring about it.

Outside the weather’s been warmer, there are lambs in the field behind our house and out running I’m seeing the woods come to life once again.

At work there is strong sense of moving forward too.

In my current fractional COO engagement I’m into the phase where I need to start making changes. I’ve done enough discovery and have built relationships. I’ve got a strong sense of what needs to happen and now I’m actively making those changes happen.

Early in the month Sarah and I launched Actualise.work. This is our new venture for early stage founders that’s grounded in our belief that understanding themselves psychologically is as important as understanding the practical side of building a business.

We call it the “dual domain approach” to company building and it’s the basis for two founder support programmes that we’ve launched with:

• Actualise Shift – for founders who want a business that thrives beyond them, not one that depends on them.
• Actualise Solo – for founders launching and growing without a leadership team.

We’ve already onboarded one client and are looking forward to welcoming several more to the Actualise programme over the next few months.

I’m also a founding partner at consultancy network Extra Brain. This month we launched an exciting new cohort-based expert learning community for founders called Founder’s Circle.

The first cohort launches in May and we’re looking for SME leaders committed to building better, happier businesses while supporting others on the same path and enjoying the journey.

This month I’ve also been helping a long term agency client with their team’s professional development. I designed a pragmatic and simple approach to self-reflection and planning activities for the year ahead. We’re just finishing up the rollout so that their team members go into the new financial year with their own self-led development plans.

Away from work this month, it was our youngest son’s 18th birthday – a milestone for him and also for us as parents of two young adults. He was in the middle of his mock A levels so it was a fairly muted birthday with some celebrations the following weekend.

The better weather has also meant I’ve rediscovered my love of road biking. I’ve been out every week building up the mileage and am feeling good on the bike after several months of riding for commuting only. I’m hoping this continues and am looking forward to riding new roads on the continent during the summer holidays.

Music this month…

Am enjoying the latest live sets from Housework at MoS last month.

Podcasts this month…

I particularly enjoyed this episode of A Facilitator’s Journey as a lot of the content resonated with me as I continue to think about what my work future might look like in the second half of the year.

Reading this month…

I’m part way through Chip War: The Fight for the World’s Most Critical Technology by Chris Miller. It’s an interesting look at how the development of the semi-conductor industry has shaped global geo-politics.

Cycling this month…

Enjoying being back on the road, plus lots of commuter miles too. 300.3 miles.

Running this month…

Am in a nice cadence of running 10k-ish twice a week plus the odd longer weekend run. 46.6 miles.