EDITION 1075
30 JUNE 2025

On this day in 1966, the National Organization for Women (NOW) was founded in the United States. Born out of frustration with the slow pace of change, NOW was created to promote equal rights for women, advocating across workplaces, universities, and public life. Please share your thoughts in item five below.

So, as another week passes into the annals of history, here are 10 things which caught my attention and may have escaped yours. Please feel free to share on social media and forward to your colleagues and friends so they can also subscribe, learn and engage. I would be very grateful if you did.

Just before you dive in, remember our POTENTIAL workbook [see below] is on offer for only £99. This unique workbook will help guide your organisation to its highest potential. Contact us today to start your transformation.

William Montgomery
Editor and CEO of TEN

1. How to make your habits stick. When it comes to building lasting habits, strict routines aren't always the answer. Research suggests that while consistency is important, the ability to adapt is what truly makes habits stick. As a leader, balancing structure with flexibility can help you and your team build sustainable behaviours that last. READ MORE

2. Leadership under pressure. Twelve months ago, Keir Starmer entered Downing Street with a commanding mandate and widespread praise for his political turnaround. Today, his authority is under pressure. Controversial welfare cuts fractured party unity, prompting overnight concessions to restore calm. Internationally, Starmer has faced mounting global instability - from Israel-Iran hostilities and NATO discord over Ukraine, to the return of Donald Trump to politics. While he has presented a composed and consistent presence abroad, domestic challenges have tested his leadership at home. Governing has proved more complex than campaigning. As his second year begins, Starmer must reassert control and define a clearer course - proof, once again, that in politics, a year can change everything. Editor

3. Entry-level jobs shrink amid AI rise. The UK has seen a sharp decline in entry-level job opportunities since the launch of ChatGPT in late 2022. According to job site Adzuna, vacancies for graduate roles, internships, apprenticeships, and junior positions without degree requirements have fallen by nearly 32%, now accounting for just 25% of the job market—down from 28.9% in 2022. Economic pressures and increased adoption of AI are smajor factors behind this shift, with companies aiming to boost efficiency by reducing early-career hiring. BT, for example, is planning to replace 10,000 roles with AI. Looking ahead, experts warn that half of all entry-level white-collar jobs could disappear within five years. While UK vacancies have returned to pre-pandemic levels, they still lag behind major markets like the US, France, and Germany. Editor

4. Innovation at the cost of inclusion. The UK Government has unveiled its first industrial strategy since 2017, aiming to boost long-term economic growth by backing eight high-potential sectors - dubbed the “IS8” - including clean energy, tech, life sciences and defence. Touted as a break from “short-termism”, the 10-year plan promises targeted support and lower energy costs for select manufacturers. However, critics note the plan largely mirrors past efforts, with limited new funding and a narrow focus. Only 7,000 of 140,000 manufacturers stand to benefit from energy bill cuts, and just 500 from a new “supercharger” scheme. Key sectors like retail, hospitality and food are excluded, raising concerns about who really gains. The bold vision is welcome - but real leadership must balance innovation with everyday economic realities. Editor

5. Leadership that moves the needle. As highlighted in the ‘on this day’ piece above, in 1966, a group of women founded the National Organization for Women (NOW). They didn’t hold traditional power, but they had something arguably more potent: purpose. They believed change was not only necessary but possible - and they acted. Their story reminds us that lasting change rarely begins with authority alone. It starts with conviction, courage, and the willingness to challenge what’s accepted. As modern leaders, we’re still asking: how do we best lead progress - in our teams, organisations, or communities? This week’s poll asks: What’s the most powerful leadership lever when driving social or organisational change? VOTE HERE

6. Welcome to the group. Few things spike your blood pressure like the dreaded WhatsApp ping followed by: “You were added.” Another group. Another barrage of gifs, passive-aggressive reminders, and 247 unread messages. Opt out and risk offending the group; stay in and kIss your sanity goodbye. For professionals, especially doctors, being added to work-related groups on personal phones is blurring the already fragile line between work and rest. The British Medical Association now wants free “switch-off-able” phones for doctors—a noble idea, though having two buzzing devices might just double the torment. A cheaper solution? Force WhatsApp to ask before adding you. Because sometimes leadership means knowing when to join the conversation - and when to politely ghost it. Editor

7. BBC introduces US paywall. The BBC will introduce a $49.99 (£36) annual subscription fee for US users on BBC.com – its first direct-to-consumer paywall for news. Subscribers will get access to content including ad-free documentaries, early-release podcasts, exclusive newsletters and the BBC News channel livestream, with casual users still able to access select free content. The move aims to boost overseas revenue as the BBC prepares for 2027 funding talks amid growing pressure on the UK’s licence-fee model. Financial Times

8. Amazon to invest £40bn in UK. Amazon is to invest £40bn in the UK over the next three years, building four new warehouses and creating thousands of jobs, particularly in Hull, Northampton and the East Midlands. The plan includes expanding London offices, upgrading delivery infrastructure and redeveloping Bray Film Studios. It also covers much of the £8bn previously announced for UK data centres. With 75,000 current employees, Amazon is already one of the UK’s largest private employers. The Prime minister called the move a "massive vote of confidence in the UK", highlighting opportunities in skill boosting, careers and regional growth. Sky

9. UK climate targets within reach. Britain's Climate Change Committee has published an assessment of the new government's progress on reducing emissions, saying that the country can still meet its legally binding climate targets – but only if action across key sectors is ramped up. Among the top recommendations to reach the 2030 and 2050 emission targets is making electricity cheaper to "help people feel the benefits of the transition". The climate advisers also note that more people are buying electric vehicles and installing heat pumps than ever before but emphasise that these numbers must increase further. The Guardian

10. The bottom line. The Nato alliance will more than double its defence spending target over the next decade, according to a joint statement. By 2035, member countries will earmark 5% of their gross domestic product to defence, with 3.5% going to “pure defence’ and 1.5% to critical infrastructure. The previous target of 2% of GDP was set in 2014. CNBC