Hey Reader,

Picture this: It’s the late 90s. South Africa. I’m 24 and freshly minted in program management, convinced I’m God’s gift to transformation projects.

(I was not.)

I’m working on a massive change initiative. Millions of Rands on the line, execs everywhere, and more ego than EQ in the room.

And what does young, confident me do?

I go around telling everyone why the program is doomed.

Everyone except, you know… the person actually in charge.

I was technically right. The plan had flaws. But I was missing something much bigger:

Leadership isn’t about being right. It’s about bringing people with you.

Eventually, the program director pulled me aside and said bluntly:
​ “You’ve been warned.”

Oof. I still cringe thinking about it.

But an important lesson for me, Reader,

And yet I see this play out in so many brilliant experts-turned-leaders I coach.

They’ve got the brains. The vision. The drive.

But when it comes to influence, trust, and stakeholder alignment?

They are like me… thinking being the smart person in the room is what is needed.

If someone on your team comes to mind, hit reply and let's talk.

The fastest path to influence isn’t another strategy or tool. It’s about learning how to be in relationship.

Your wingwoman,

Catherine

P.S. Got your own “technically right, totally wrong” moment? I’ve got a few more if you want to swap stories…

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💬 “Catherine helped me reframe, recalibrate, and rebuild. Best decision I made all year.” – COO, Scale-Up