Matthew Needham Consulting, Wellington (2026)

16/10/2024

Some people simply shouldn’t be in leadership roles.

You know the ones I mean.

Those who prioritize personal gain

And shy away from the challenging aspects of leadership.

Who avoid difficult conversations,

Neglect team-building,

And struggle to run effective meetings.

So we need to rethink our approach to leadership,

Because not everyone is it it for the right reasons.

So we have to scrutinize the motives behind why someone wants a leadership position

Before appointing them.

In his book "The Motive" Patrick Lencioni describes these ineffective leaders as reward-centered;

Focused on personal benefits and gains.

While great leaders are responsibility-centered

And driven by the success of their team.

Because great leadership is about making a positive impact

On both the team and the organization.

It comes from people who are genuinely motivated

By a commitment to serving others.

Those people who invest time in understanding their team

And succeeding in their role.

So, to determine if someone is fit for a leadership role ask them the toughest question of all:

Why?

Uncovering the true motive behind their desire for leadership

Will reveal whether they are suited for the role.

Because top leaders embrace selflessness and responsibility to their team

With open arms.

15/10/2024

Finding the perfect pencil,

Won't turn you into an artist.

So many people get stuck searching for the perfect tools to do their job,

Believing external things might help them achieve success.

But having the best toolkit in the world,

Won't make you exceptional at what you do.

Because achieving success in your field

Is about investing time into developing your skills.

Just as an artist hones their craft through practicing again and again,

You need to refine your expertise through hard work.

Mastery comes from focusing on your methods

And improving your strategy.

It comes from being diligent

And committed.

Because the success of your work should come from you,

Not from something external.

Because that's how you create personal value

By becoming an expert in what you do

And feeling confident in the skills you bring.

So whatever industry you're in,

Whether accounting, leadership, or creative endeavors,

Dedication and practice will always surpass the value of any tool.

13/10/2024

Does your ambition match your effort,

Or is it just a distant dream?

It's easy to think big

And imagine yourself crossing the finish line.

Basking in the glory of your achievement

And accepting the praise and respect of your peers.

But these types of wins don't happen overnight.

Not at all.

They happen thanks to sustained effort,

Dedication,

And sacrifice,

Often spanning years.

Because tackling significant goals requires persistence

As well as ambition.

So you need to track your progress

And continuously adjust your strategy;

To focus on the nitty gritty details

That that will get you to where you need to be.

And by fully dedicating yourself to your goals,

You’ll experience the pride that comes from knowing you’ve worked hard

And transform your ambition into reality.

09/10/2024

You’re either influential

Or you’re not.

If you think this way,

You’re limiting your potential for growth.

Because influence is crucial,

And it’s a skill that can be developed.

But how do you cultivate something as elusive as influence?

You need to start with the basics:

Excel in your role and become exceptionally skilled at what you do.

Influence is not an inherent trait;

It comes from being so good at your job that people seek your expertise.

Because they know your advice is clear,

Actionable,

And insightful.

Advice drawn from real experience,

Including past mistakes.

So by mastering your job,

You build credibility, that will be closely followed by influence.

So you’ll naturally begin to impact others,

Collaborate effectively with your team,

And share your valuable knowledge.

08/10/2024

Being a CFO is a lonely job.

I get it.

Most people don't fully understand your role

Or appreciate the depth of your insights.

They might see you as someone who merely handles the numbers,

And is completely unaware of company dynamics.

But as a CFO, you’re more than just a financial steward.

You grasp the complexities of business finances,

Know what to prioritize,

And how to reduce costs,

And accelerate organizational performance.

So you know you could make a significant positive impact

If you were given the chance to share your insights.

That’s why I advocate for business leaders

To fully leverage their CFOs.

Because I know these professionals hold invaluable knowledge

And have the potential to accelerate company performance.

But they need to be given the opportunity to step out of out of traditional confines of their role,

To contribute their expertise

And help the company reach new levels of success.

06/10/2024

How many people aspire for success,

But shy away from the grind required to get it?

Watching the Olympics,

This thought became clear.

So many dream of standing on the podium,

Savoring the sweet taste of victory.

But are they ready to commit to the relentless effort needed to achieve their dream?

There's no point in having a vision

If you're not prepared to take action.

You have to prioritize your goals

And be prepared to make sacrifices.

I'm sure all of the athletes in the Olympics dreamed of competing

But they didn't reach their level of excellence by wishful thinking.

They put in the work that was

Intense,

Disciplined,

And consistent.

So if you want to achieve your own significant goals,

You must invest the effort required, too.

Like an athlete, track your progress diligently

And be willing to adapt your strategies as needed.

Because the path to success

And turning your vision into a reality

Needs unwavering dedication and hard work.

02/10/2024

Don't focus on rewards.

Focus on your people

Above all else.

I’ve been reflecting on Patrick Lencioni’s book "The Motive",

Particularly his exploration of the two core motives behind leadership:

Reward-centered and responsibility-centered.

Reward-centered leaders are primarily focused

On the personal benefits that come with their position,

Like money, control, or recognition.

They tend to avoid the more challenging aspects of leadership

And often prioritise their own convenience

Over the needs of their team or business.

In contrast, responsibility-centered leaders view their role

As a service to others.

They embrace the hard work that true leadership requires,

From addressing issues directly

To ensuring that key messages are consistently communicated.

These leaders are committed to their team’s success

And are willing to put in the effort to build strong, effective teams

And a cohesive company culture.

As leaders, understanding this dichotomy is essential.

It allows us to shape our own leadership approach

And to cultivating a leadership culture

That puts long-term benefits from serving your people

Over any kinds of short-term bonuses.

01/10/2024

Cash flow is the lifeblood

That keeps everything moving.

In the world of business,

It’s the difference between thriving

With a comfortable emergency fund

And merely surviving,

Scrambling to make ends meet each month.

Too often, businesses extend credit too generously,

Assuming that future revenue will cover today’s expenses.

But what happens when payments are delayed

Or don’t come through at all?

Your cash flow takes a hit,

And suddenly you’re struggling to cover your own costs.

That’s why it’s crucial to make these decisions

With a clear understanding of your cash flow situation.

Before extending credit,

Evaluate the client’s payment history and financial health.

Set clear credit limits and stick to them,

No matter how lucrative the deal might seem.

And above all, ensure that your cash flow can handle any delays.

Because your goal shouldn't be to survive until the next payment comes in!

It should be to thrive with confidence and security,

Knowing that your business can weather whatever storms come your way!

29/09/2024

Want to get paid on time?

Without chasing down payments for weeks and months?

How you handle invoicing

Is all that separates the two!

It might seem like a straightforward task,

But it’s actually such a critical part of managing your cash flow.

So to avoid falling into any financial traps down the line,

Make sure you’ve laid the groundwork for a smooth transaction

Before you send out an invoice.

This starts with clear communication from the outset:

Your client should know exactly what they’re being billed for,

When payment is due,

And what the consequences are for late payments.

It’s also wise to confirm the client is satisfied before invoicing them,

As it reduces the risk of disputes that could delay payment.

Another key step is to double-check the accuracy of your invoice,

As mistakes can cause confusion and delays,

Impacting your cash flow.

Through a little extra effort,

You can go a long way in ensuring you get paid on time,

So you can keep your cash flow healthy

And your business thriving.

25/09/2024

The best businesses

Are hedgehogs.

One of the most powerful ideas I picked up

From Jim Collins' "Good to Great"

Is the Hedgehog Concept,

Which suggests that companies achieve greatness

By focusing on the intersection of three critical areas:

What they can be best in the world at,

What drives their economic engine,

And what they are deeply passionate about.

This concept is a game-changer

Because it provides a clear direction for all decisions and actions,

Eliminating distractions and ensuring that every effort stays aligned

With the company’s core strengths and economic realities.

For leaders, the Hedgehog Concept is a valuable tool

For driving strategic focus and ensuring that resources are allocated

To initiatives that truly matter.

By aligning passion with economic success,

Companies can channel their energy more effectively

And achieve sustained performance over the long term,

Without things getting too spiky!

24/09/2024

Clarity is everything.

Without it, it all falls flat.

When it comes to business agreements,

Deals are too often sealed on a handshake or a vague understanding,

Only to unravel when it’s time to collect payment.

This can have a devastating impact on your cash flow,

Turning what seemed like a great opportunity

Into a financial headache.

So before finalising any agreement,

Take the time to ensure that all parties are on the same page.

This means clearly outlining payment terms,

Deadlines,

And expectations.

Don’t leave anything up to interpretation.

As any ambiguity could lead to delays, disputes,

And ultimately, a hit to your cash flow.

A well-drafted contract is your best defense against misunderstandings.

By taking the time to understand what’s been agreed upon,

You’re not just sealing the deal!

You’re casting aside all hints of uncertainty between all parties

And securing the cash flow that your business needs.

22/09/2024

This world needs

More Level 5 leaders.

I recently read Jim Collins' book "Good to Great"

And one of the most profound insights I found

Was the concept of "Level 5" leadership.

These leaders are a rare breed

Who combine personal humility

With an intense professional will.

They are the ones who set clear goals and standards,

Take responsibility for failures,

And generously attribute successes to others.

This type of leadership doesn’t just inspire,

But also drives performance to new heights.

By fostering a culture of accountability

And a relentless pursuit of excellence,

Level 5 leaders create an environment

Where everyone is focused on achieving the best possible results.

Embracing this leadership style

Not only means guiding the overall health of the organisation,

But also leading with humility and determination.

Being a Level 5 leader is all about setting the tone at the top

And ensuring that the entire team is aligned and committed

To driving performance.

Do you know any Level 5 leaders in their life?

Share your stories below!

Matthew Needham Consulting

16/10/2024

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09/10/2024

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