The Nicola Rylett Group

04/06/2026

For our next meeting on 11th June, we’re returning to a classic author, Simon Sinek.

After enjoying Start With Why and The Infinite Game, this time we’ll be reading:
Leaders Eat Last

“Leadership is not a rank, it is a responsibility. Leadership is not about being in charge, it is about taking care of those in your charge.”

In this powerful book, Sinek explores what makes great leaders truly effective, from Marine Corps officers who prioritise the well-being of their teams above their own, to leaders in business and government who put service before self.

At its heart, the message is simple:
when we take care of our people, they will take care of the mission.

⏰ Meeting Details
📅 Thursday 11th June
🕔 5:00 PM start

Looking forward to seeing you all there! Just message me if you would like to join for free!

03/06/2026

📚 How do you prefer to read your books?

At our Business Book Club, we’re always fascinated by how different people experience reading, and it’s changed so much over the years.

Some of us love the feel of a physical book in our hands, the texture, the smell, the satisfaction of turning pages. Others prefer the ease of a Kindle or eReader, with a whole library available at the touch of a button.

For many, audiobooks have become a game-changer, turning commutes, walks, and everyday moments into opportunities to learn. And then there are the hybrid readers, following along in a book while listening at the same time to maximise focus and retention.

We’d love to understand what works for you 👇

How do you prefer to read?

🔘 Physical books (nothing beats real pages)

🔘 Kindle / eReader (convenience & portability)

🔘 Audiobooks (learning on the go)

🔘 Hybrid (reading + listening together)

💬 And tell us in the comments: Do you keep your books immaculate, or are they well-loved, highlighted, dog-eared, and full of notes?

Your answers will help shape our next book club conversations, and maybe even how we recommend books going forward.

02/06/2026

Travelling into London today with ABE for Non-Executive Director interviews.

These moments always remind me how important board appointments are.

Not just for governance, but for bringing fresh thinking, challenge, and perspective to an organisation.

Looking forward to some great conversations and (hopefully) meeting individuals who align with ABE’s values and global ambition.

01/06/2026

📚 Summer Reading List: Business Edition ☀️

June is our month to build the ultimate summer reading list, and we want your recommendations!

Whether you're by the pool, on a plane, or enjoying some downtime with family, it’s the perfect moment to keep the business brain ticking over.

💡 What’s the one business book you’d recommend this summer?

✔️ A game-changing leadership read
✔️ A mindset-shifting favourite
✔️ A practical, must-have for founders

Drop your nominations in the comments 👇 and we’ll compile the list ready for the summer holidays.

Let’s create something brilliant together.

29/05/2026

📚 Book Club – June Read Announcement
For our next meeting on Thursday 11th June, we’re returning to a classic author we know and love — Simon Sinek.
After enjoying Start With Why and The Infinite Game, we’re diving into his powerful book:
Leaders Eat Last
Simon reminds us that:

“Leadership is not a rank, it is a responsibility. Leadership is not about being in charge, it is about taking care of those in your charge.”

In Leaders Eat Last, Sinek explores what makes truly great leaders — from Marine Corps officers to business and government leaders — all united by a common principle:
👉 putting the wellbeing of their people ahead of their own.
When leaders create environments of trust and safety, people feel empowered to do their best work — and in turn, help bring the organisation’s vision to life.
This feels like a natural continuation of the themes we’ve been exploring this year, and we’re excited to unpack it together.
⏰ Meeting Details
📅 Thursday 11th June
🕔 5:00 PM start
Looking forward to seeing you all there! Just message me if you would like to join for free!

28/05/2026

How we love a bank holiday, and this last one really delivered. Glorious sunshine, a slower pace, and for me, something completely new: I found a cricket club to join. Is there anything more English than a sunny bank holiday weekend and a cricket match?

It was amazing to get back into the swing of things with both practice and a match. (Pun intended) The team was definitely younger than me, and I was the only female, but they were warm, welcoming and inclusive. Whether I was a curiosity, a novelty, or simply another teammate, it didn’t matter because they made me feel part of the team. A lovely reminder that trying something new can reset your energy in the best possible way.

27/05/2026

This week’s theme? Fresh perspectives. Sometimes the biggest shifts in energy come not from changing everything, but from seeing familiar situations through a different lens.

The Weekly Debrief

Last week was a busy one, with plenty of preparation ahead of the bank holiday weekend. A real highlight was Thursday, which was full of coaching conversations with executive leaders. I love creating space for them to pause, reflect and think through their challenges differently, offering alternative angles, asking the awkward-but-important questions, and then hearing that moment when something clicks. Those breakthroughs are where the real value lies, both for them and for their organisations.

This week’s theme? Fresh perspectives. Sometimes the biggest shifts in energy come not from changing everything, but from seeing familiar situations through a different lens.

26/05/2026

We had a very unexpected new guest at La Maison Bleue this weekend… 🐝

While we always pride ourselves on being welcoming hosts, this particular visitor didn’t quite follow house rules! After a brief (and slightly dramatic) encounter, we had to politely but swiftly show it the door… 🚪

Sadly, no 5⭐ review on Airbnb was received from this guest 😅

Thankfully, all our human visitors are much more appreciated.

21/05/2026

What have I learnt this week? That progress often looks ordinary from the outside. A walk with friends, a day of sewing, gîte changeovers, “just” a catch-up meeting, early-stage conversations about a tricky leadership issue, or a round of interview prep, none of it is headline-grabbing, but together it all adds up.

In leadership and in life, we don’t always need a grand gesture. We need movement in the right direction, honest conversations, small commitments kept, and the discipline to keep standards high, whether that’s in business, leadership, or hospitality. That’s where momentum quietly builds.

Here’s to a week of valuing steady steps, not perfect leaps and recognising that “nothing major happening” can still mean everything is progressing nicely. Just the right dose of .