EDITION 1062
24 MARCH 2025

On this day in 1603, Queen Elizabeth I died in the early hours after ruling England for 44-and-a-bit years. Eight hours later, the crowns of Scotland and England were united when James VI of Scotland became James I of England.

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 say no to extra work. If your manager frequently assigns tasks that don't align with your goals, it’s important to learn how to set boundaries. It may feel uncomfortable to push back, but with the right approach, you can manage it effectively. READ MORE

2. UK borrowing overshoots forecasts by £20bn. Government borrowing has exceeded official forecasts by more than £20 billion so far this year, increasing the pressure on Rachel Reeves ahead of next week’s spring statement. In February, the government borrowed £10.7 billion, the fourth-highest total for the month since records began in 1993 and higher than analysts expected, data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed on Friday. That deficit figure took total public borrowing in the year to February to £132.2 billion, £20.4 billion higher than the £111.8 billion forecast by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) at the October budget and up by £14.7 billion over the same period last year. The Times

3. Declining support for women in leadership. The proportion of British men aged 15 to 24 who believe that women are just as capable as men in leadership roles has dropped sharply, declining from 82% in 2019 to just 51% today. This significant shift suggests a growing scepticism among young men about gender equality in leadership. Meanwhile, similar trends are emerging across Europe. In Germany, the share of young men who agree with the statement “a woman’s place is in the home” has risen dramatically, from just 5% in 2021 to 22% today. France has seen an even steeper increase, with the proportion of young men endorsing this view more than doubling from 11% to 25% over the same period. These figures point to a worrying reversal in attitudes toward gender roles, raising concerns about the future of equality in workplaces and beyond. The Times

4. One in 10 consider long-term leave. Some 10% of UK employees are considering leaving work for an extended period, with 25% of young workers (16-24) citing worsening mental health, a PwC survey has found. The issue is especially severe among those under 35, pushing businesses to enhance workplace health support with new benefits and training. The proportion of people out of work peaked at 22.2% after the pandemic, before easing to 21.5%, or 9.3 million workers. While 81% of companies feel the impact, many hesitate to hire inactive workers. Some firms still struggle to provide effective mental health support, often relying on outdated incentives. London Evening Standard

5. Does remote work hinder effective leadership? The rise of remote work has transformed traditional workplace dynamics, presenting both opportunities and challenges for leadership. Some argue that the lack of in-person interaction hampers communication, team cohesion, and the ability to lead effectively. Others contend that with the right tools and strategies, leadership can thrive in a remote setting, offering flexibility and access to a global talent pool. The effectiveness of remote leadership may also depend on individual team dynamics and the nature of the work. This poll aims to explore your perspective on whether remote work impedes effective leadership. VOTE HERE

6. Finland reigns as happiness leader. Finland continues to hold the title of the happiest country in the world for the eighth consecutive year, according to the annual World Happiness Report. Costa Rica and Mexico have made impressive strides, entering the top 10 for the first time. Meanwhile, the UK has experienced a decline, dropping to 23rd place, just one spot behind Germany but ahead of the United States. The UK's average happiness rating stands at 6.73 out of 10, reflecting a noticeable shift in global happiness rankings. Daily Mail

7. IOC elects first woman as president. Zimbabwe's sports minister Kirsty Coventry has been elected president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), becoming the first woman and the first African to hold the position. She beat out Lord Sebastian Coe, the former chairman of the organising committee for the London 2012 Olympic Games. Coventry, the youngest person to be elected IOC president and a former Olympic swimmer, was seen as the preferred successor to outgoing president Thomas Bach. Bach's final day in-office will be 23 June, having served his maximum 12 years as president. CNN

8. Better late than never. Ikea is set to open its new store on Oxford Street in central London on 1 May, following an 18-month delay. The three-story space, which was previously the flagship Topshop store, will offer 6,000 products, with 3,500 available for immediate purchase and the rest available for home delivery. Along with a wide range of home furnishings, the store will also include a 130-seat Swedish deli. The opening is anticipated to be a significant boost to the revitalisation of Oxford Street, which has seen declining foot traffic since the pandemic. Time Out

9. Feed your children fish to make them kinder. Children who eat fish tend to be kinder and more sociable; a study has found. Fish provides omega-3, iodine, and selenium, which aid brain development. Parents are advised to give children two fish portions weekly, one oily (e.g., mackerel). Bristol University researchers analysed data from nearly 6,000 English children, comparing diets at seven with “pro-social” traits like friendliness and sharing. Of them, 7% ate no fish, 64% ate up to 190g weekly, and 29% ate more. Fish fingers made up nearly half of intake. At seven, non-fish eaters were 35% more likely to show weaker social skills, rising to 43% at nine. No intelligence differences were found in eight-year-olds. The Independent

10. The bottom line. The UK’s official economic growth forecast for 2025 will be halved next week from 2% to around 1%. The Chancellor is expected to use her Spring Statement to blame the downgrade on the worsening global economic outlook as Donald Trump imposes his tariffs regime. Daily Telegraph