EDITION 1124
8 JUNE 2026

On this day in 1505, Michelangelo’s David was installed in Florence. More than 500 years later, it remains one of humanity’s greatest expressions of what people can become when talent, discipline and perseverance combine.

This week’s edition of 10 THINGS explores leadership, service, health, wealth and the importance of living life by design rather than by accident. Whether discussing career choices, physical wellbeing, financial independence or future aspirations, the underlying message is remarkably consistent. Small decisions, repeated over time, often shape our lives far more than the dramatic moments we tend to remember.

Last week’s poll explored income stacking. This week we’re asking whether you are in the new top 1%? As someone whose working life is multi-faceted, I have long been fascinated by how people create value, generate income and design their lives. The answers may be more varied than many of us imagine. Having joined the Royal Navy at sixteen and worked ever since, I know first-hand how opportunity, purpose and perseverance can shape a life.

William Montgomery
Editor

1. How to Lead Without Managing People.  For decades, leadership and management were treated as the same thing. Climb the ladder, gain authority, manage a team. Yet increasingly, professionals are questioning whether managing people is the only path to influence and success. The reality is that some of the most influential people in any organisation have no formal authority at all. They lead through expertise, judgement, relationships, calmness under pressure and the ability to bring people together around a common goal. In many workplaces, exhausted managers are now warning others about the pressures of endless meetings, admin and responsibility without corresponding support. Leadership, therefore, is evolving. It is becoming less about hierarchy and more about contribution, credibility and impact. READ MORE

2. In Memory of the Fallen. Just two days after the nation marked the 82nd anniversary of D-Day, it is fitting to remember that service and sacrifice are not confined to history. Last week, three members of the Royal Navy lost their lives during a helicopter training exercise in Devon. As a Royal Navy veteran with many friends who continue to serve in naval aviation, the news struck particularly close to home. The sea and the sky remain unforgiving environments, demanding the highest standards of professionalism, discipline and courage. We rightly remember those who served on 6 June 1944. We should also remember those who continue to serve today. Lieutenant Commander Chris Gayson, Lieutenant Lily-Mae Fisher and Petty Officer Owen Green died while preparing themselves for duties their nation might one day ask them to perform. May they rest in peace, and may their families, friends and colleagues find comfort in the knowledge that their service mattered.

3. Exercise Your Body and Train Your Brain. A recent study covering 19 European countries found that cycling does not just improve physical fitness. It also reduces stress, lifts mood and supports brain health. As someone who spends plenty of time on a tennis court and occasionally on a spin bike, this came as little surprise. Most regular exercisers will recognise the feeling. We often start exercising to improve our physical health, only to discover that the greatest benefits may be mental. Tennis offers a similar combination of physical activity, problem-solving, social connection and emotional resilience. Perhaps that’s why so many of us leave the court feeling better than when we arrived. The lesson is simple. Exercise is not just an investment in your body. It is an investment in your brain.

4. Is university still worth it? According to the latest British Social Attitudes Survey, 34% of people now believe a university degree is not worth the time and money involved, up from 14% in 2005. The proportion who believe graduates are financially better off has also fallen significantly. My own view is that we have become too focused on qualifications and not focused enough on capability. A degree can still be an excellent investment, particularly in professions such as medicine, law and engineering. However, for many young people, apprenticeships, work experience, professional qualifications and extracurricular activities may provide a faster and more affordable route to success. The real question is no longer whether someone went to university. It is whether they have developed the knowledge, skills and character needed to thrive.

5. Are you in the new top 1%? According to HMRC and ONS data, around 390,000 people now earn more than £207,000 a year, placing them in the UK’s top 1% of earners. That’s nearly five times the average full-time salary. What interested me most was not how much they earn, but how they earn it. Employment remains the primary source of income for most high earners, but as income rises, reliance on traditional employment falls. Business ownership, self-employment and passive income become increasingly important. Perhaps that’s why so many leadership experts encourage people to develop multiple income streams. The higher people climb, the less likely they are to rely on a single source of income. Interestingly, joining the top 1% by income requires £207,000 a year. Joining the top 1% by wealth requires assets of more than £3.1 million. They are not necessarily the same people. Which best describes your situation? VOTE HERE

6. Design the Life You Want to Live. According to the latest Deel Global Workforce Report, Spain and Portugal remain among the most popular destinations for people choosing to relocate and work remotely. Better weather, a slower pace of life and a lower cost of living all play their part. I understand the appeal. Having spent time in Portugal and with a growing passion for tennis, I can easily see myself spending part of each year there in the future. Not because I want to escape the UK, but because I want to make the most of the years ahead. For many years, I have delivered a talk for Speakers for Schools entitled How to Live a Life by Design and Not by Accident. The principle applies at every age. Too many people drift into a life they never consciously chose. Leadership begins with taking responsibility for our future and having the courage to design it intentionally. After all, if we don’t design our lives ourselves, someone else will do it for us.

7. The Cost of Uncertainty. The OECD has downgraded its global growth forecasts, citing uncertainty surrounding the conflict in Iran and wider geopolitical tensions. Global growth is now expected to slow from 3.4% in 2025 to 2.8% in 2026 before recovering modestly thereafter. What struck me was not the forecast itself, but the reason behind it. Businesses can usually cope with bad news. What they struggle with is uncertainty. When people don’t know what comes next, investment decisions are delayed, recruitment slows and confidence weakens. The same is often true in leadership. Teams can navigate difficult circumstances when they understand the plan. It is uncertainty, rather than adversity, that often proves most damaging.

8. Is AI destroying the humble CV? The widespread use of AI is certainly changing the way people write CVs, but I’m not convinced it’s destroying them. Over the years, I’ve reviewed hundreds of CVs. The biggest challenge was rarely grammar, spelling or formatting. It was helping people explain what they had actually achieved. AI can help with structure, language and presentation. What it cannot do is provide substance. In my view, a professionally written CV that says nothing has simply automated its own rejection. The best CVs tell a story. They demonstrate impact, reveal character and help people understand who you really are. AI can help you write your CV. It can’t tell the world what you’ve overcome. If you’d like a free copy of my own CV, simply reply to this email and I’ll happily send it to you. ASK HERE

9. Why Strength Matters More Than Ever. New research published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine suggests that just 90 minutes to two hours of strength training a week can significantly reduce the risk of early death. The greatest benefits were seen when resistance training was combined with regular aerobic exercise such as walking, running, cycling or tennis. As a licensed Body Pump instructor, I have seen first-hand how strength training improves confidence, mobility and resilience. Looking good may be a welcome side effect, but staying strong enough to enjoy life for longer is the real prize. The lesson is simple. Don’t just focus on cardio. Build strength too. Your future self may thank you for it.

10. The Bottom Line. If you had been born on the same day as Jesus, somehow stayed alive and earned $400 million a year ever since, you would have amassed around $810 billion. According to Forbes, Elon Musk’s net worth is estimated at around $830 billion, accumulated in just a few decades. Admittedly, this comparison ignores compound interest. Otherwise, you’d probably own the planet.