This is not self-promotion.

It is a field note for anyone who never asked to be a leader.

So, I’ve given you an intro and most of my CV (lol).
I’ve only progressed because people let me fail, learn and try again.

Much of my early career I felt manipulated, patronised, and often stupid.
I took punches from below and above and thought that was normal.
It was not.
I had not learned to advocate for myself or to ask for help without shame.

The past five years have been a fresh start.

I mentor where I can, share what not to do, and name my strengths and weaknesses out loud.

I am still proudly at Meals for the NHS, tinkering with creative projects on the side, and slowly opening this conversation about those who end up leading without being lead.

Here’s a nice AI generated image of a leader in the start up world.

I am not here to preach about perfect one to ones or ideal KPIs - probably my least favourite things in the world, you will want to find a manager to help with those.

I want to talk about the realness behind reluctant leadership, the anxiety and the agency, the mistakes and the meaning. A podcast is in the works to keep this conversation going. Other than that, I don’t really know what “this” is but keen to explore.

If you see yourself in any of this, connect, comment, message me or get me at rich@unintentional.uk. Tell me what you wish someone had told you when leadership first found you.