The Nicola Rylett Group

16/06/2026

Well, what a fantastic conversation we had around Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek.

It clearly struck a chord with the group, sparking a rich discussion about the many dimensions of leadership in today’s world, from trust and culture to resilience and responsibility. Always inspiring to hear different perspectives and lived experiences brought to life.

So… what next?

Continuing our theme of classics, we’re moving onto a biography, and this one feels especially timely with the World Cup approaching (yes, we like to think we’ve planned that connection perfectly ⚽).

Our next read is Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike by Phil Knight.

It’s the remarkable story of how, in 1962, a young entrepreneur borrowed just $50 from his father with a simple idea: import high-quality, low-cost running shoes from Japan. From selling shoes out of his car boot and making $8,000 in his first year… to building Nike into a $30+ billion global brand and one of the most recognisable symbols in the world.
A story of risk, resilience and relentless belief, perfect inspiration for founders and leaders alike.

Looking forward to diving in and hearing everyone’s reflections.

16th July
All meetings start at 5 pm on Thursdays.
On Zoom.

Look forward to seeing you all on the 16th July

11/06/2026

I spent time in London last week interviewing potential Non-Executive Directors for ABE. What a privilege.

Listening to people reflect not only on what they’ve achieved, but on their desire to give back, was both grounding and uplifting. There’s something powerful about that shift from success to service.

Against the backdrop of loss, it felt even more meaningful to hear stories centred on contribution, purpose and impact. A quiet reminder of what really endures.

10/06/2026

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!

09/06/2026

I bring over 25 years of senior leadership and multi-board experience to help organisations create clear structures, sharp agendas, and disciplined follow-through, so boards move from discussion to delivery.
Strong governance should never slow organisations down. At its best, it creates clarity, accountability, and momentum. It enables leaders to make confident decisions, align people behind a shared vision, and turn strategy into meaningful action.
Whether supporting boards, leadership teams, or organisational change, my focus is always on creating environments where challenge is constructive, conversations are purposeful, and outcomes are measurable.

As Justin shared:

“Nicola brought fresh thinking to our project, which really helped us pin down a narrative. Her enthusiasm and energy are infectious and she is skilled at teasing out engaging human stories to bring corporate material to life.”

Good governance is not simply about oversight; it’s about creating the conditions for organisations and people to thrive.

08/06/2026

*****A gentle heads-up: I talk about loss and serious illness in this post.*****

This week’s theme? How we reframe our energy when life delivers shocks. The last few days have been a reminder that everything can change very quickly — and that how we respond, think and choose to live really does matter.

*****A gentle heads-up: I talk about loss and serious illness in this post.***** This week’s theme? How we reframe our energy when life delivers shocks.

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!