Hi Reader,

I'm back from a wild ride of the TED AI conference in Vienna. More about that when I have a chance to digest all the insight.

And in the meantime, let's talk tools.

Even if you’ve got a top-notch tech stack from your IT department, there’s always room to level up your productivity, decision-making, and well-being as a leader.

Here are a few tools every exec should consider adding to their lineup:

⏳ ChatGPT : Whether you’re brainstorming strategies, doing quick research, or summarising long reports, AI tools like ChatGPT are perfect for content creation and problem-solving. They free up your brain for bigger, strategic decisions.

⏳Toggl for time + focus : This time-tracking tool helps you see exactly how you’re spending your time. It’s great for spotting tasks you can delegate or cut out altogether, so you can focus where it matters most.

⏳ Calendly for Scheduling: When you don’t have time for endless email chains trying to schedule meetings, let AI assistants like x.ai or Calendly handle it for you. Simple, efficient, and headache-free.

⏳ Headspace or Calm: Meditation and mindfulness apps designed to help you manage stress and stay focused. If you’re a leader dealing with high-pressure situations, these apps will help you build emotional resilience and keep your cool.

⏳ Oura Ring or Whoop: For the data-driven leader, these wearables track health metrics like sleep and recovery. Keeping tabs on your energy levels helps you optimize performance and stay at your best.

⏳ Blinkist: Always on the go? Blinkist summarises top business and leadership books into bite-sized insights, so you can keep learning without committing to full-length reads.

​⏳ Loom: Tired of writing long emails? Loom lets you record quick, engaging video messages instead. It’s ideal for updating your team or explaining complex ideas when in-person isn’t an option.

​⏳ Hemmingway: Whether you’re sending emails, writing reports, or creating presentations, this FREE app ensures your communication is polished, professional, and to the point.

These tools help you stay efficient, make smarter decisions, and keep your leadership clear and focused—without overlapping with what your IT team already has in place.

My personal favourites? Definitely 1, 3, and 5.

What’s in your leadership tech toolbox?

Your wingwoman

Catherine

P.S. if you are wondering why I get excited by apps and new tools, it’s because I am really a geek at heart. My degree was computer science and I’ve had a fascination with all things tech since my first ZX Spectrum computer