Aegis Leadership

25/08/2026

Some of New Zealand’s greatest achievements may never happen because someone talked the person out of trying.

Tall poppy syndrome may not just hold successful Kiwis back. It may stop some Kiwis from ever becoming successful.

We have heard the same story repeatedly on Fireside Podcast (from some of the best people we have to offer).

Someone they trusted said something that sounds like:
- "You got lucky."
- "It was a fluke."
- "That won't work in NZ."
- "I wouldn't bother."

The sad part is that some listened to that BS & many gave up. We will never know what they might have achieved.

Belief in our own capability influences the goals we pursue, the effort we invest and how long we persist.

As leaders, I think we need to keep this in mind:
- When someone brings you a big dream, don't be the person who makes their world smaller & don't blindly tell them it will work.

Ask:
- "What would it take?" - then help them figure it out.
- Challenge them.
- Develop them.
- Hold them accountable.

But don't impose your limitations on their ambition.

You don't have to believe they will succeed - just believe they can try.

That's our vision for Aegis Leadership and the Fireside Podcast community - a tall poppy free NZ.

Who needs you to speak some belief into them today?

Dougal Allan Miriam Chancellor Dark Horse Coffee Richard Raven

24/08/2026

Nine athletes. Four seats on the boat.

Every member of Emirates Team New Zealand’s cyclor group was competing directly against the others for a place.

On paper, that could easily become a toxic environment. Dougal Allan explained why it didn’t.

Each person knew their job and trusted everyone else to master theirs.

Dougal didn’t need to understand the hydraulics. He trusted the engineer beside him to be the best in the world at that job. The engineer trusted Dougal to deliver the power when the boat needed it.

That was the system.

It is a useful lesson for any team operating under pressure.

When roles are unclear, good people waste energy checking, questioning and worrying about work that isn’t theirs. When roles are clear, they can put that energy into delivering their own contribution exceptionally well.

Role clarity doesn’t just sit alongside trust. It helps make trust possible.

Read the full article:

https://www.aegisleadership.co.nz/post/how-to-perform-under-pressure-build-preparation-that-survives-chaos

Or watch the full Fireside conversation with Dougal and Chris Turkington:

https://www.aegisleadership.co.nz/fireside-leadership-podcast

Two-time Coast to Coast champion and America's Cup winner Dougal Allan explains why deliberate preparation, not confidence, is what carries you when pressure hits.

24/08/2026

The pain you avoid today becomes the problem you inherit tomorrow.

We loved this reminder from Dougal on the Fireside Podcast & we see it with leaders all the time. Its a very human thing and tempting to avoid:

- The hard conversation.
- The difficult decision.
- The uncomfortable feedback.

Avoidance might give you some short-term relief (that's a big might) - but it reinforces the behavior.

The good news is - you get to choose your pain.

The discomfort of doing it now, or the consequences of leaving it.

We will leave you with something to ponder:
- "What am I avoiding that will be harder in 30 days?”
- Then take one small action today.

Send the message, make the call or have the conversation.

You don't get to choose whether leadership is uncomfortable (it just is).

But you do get to choose your discomfort.

We will link the full chat with Dougal Allan in the comments 🔥👇.

Dark Horse Coffee Point Assist Dog Tag Whiskey Richard Raven

23/08/2026

The people who chase the finish line often miss the point.

Recently on Fireside Podcast, we sat down with Dougal Allan.

He is a two-time Coast to Coast champion, America's Cup winner & elite endurance athlete (amongst many other things).

It's fair to say this conversation goes well beyond endurance sport.

We get into:
- Why the process matters more than the outcome.
- Why suffering can become a source of growth.
- And how changing your relationship with discomfort can change what you are capable of.

Dougal has spent nearly two decades finding out what happens when you keep going when things get hard.

There are some serious lessons in this one.

The interesting question is not how much pain you can tolerate.

It's what happens when you stop fighting the fact that it's there.

Keep your eyes peeled - tomorrow.

Dark Horse Coffee Dog Tag Whiskey Richard Raven

19/08/2026

Marius van der Pol served with the NZSAS and later won the America's Cup with Emirates Team New Zealand. On the podcast he talked about taking over the boat's comms system, first day on the water, being told it wasn't working, and having no idea how to fix it.

His usual approach was to push through on his own. This time that didn't work. He had to ask for help, and it turned out that was the real lesson, not the fix itself.

New blog is up if you want the full read: https://www.aegisleadership.co.nz/post/how-to-stop-micromanaging-without-lowering-standards

Chris Turkington

Micromanagement often begins with good intentions, but it can quietly remove the accountability leaders want. Marius van der Pol explains how to replace control with clarity, trust and genuine ownership.