EDITION 1127
29 JUNE 2026

On this day in 1958, Brazil defeated Sweden 5–2 to win the country’s first FIFA World Cup. The star of the show was 17-year-old Pelé, who scored twice to become the youngest player ever to score in a World Cup final.

Brazil successfully defended the trophy in 1962 before winning it again in 1970, 1994 and 2002, making them the tournament’s most successful nation. Coincidentally, Brazil begin their 2026 World Cup knockout campaign today against Japan. If both Brazil and England continue to progress, they could meet in the quarter-finals next month.

This week’s edition of 10 THINGS explores leadership, confidence, transparency, accountability and the importance of choosing the people around you.

Last week’s poll asked: What should replace the five-day working week? This week we’re asking a different question: what most influences your spending decisions today?

William Montgomery
Editor

1. HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR CIRCLE WISELY. You’ve probably heard the saying: “You cannot change the people around you, but you can change the people around you.” The first reminds us that we cannot force others to think, behave or lead differently. The second reminds us that we can choose who we spend our time with. The people around us shape our thinking, influence our standards and often determine the direction of our lives. Leadership is not only about the example you set for others, but also about the people you choose to have around you. READ MORE

2. UNFORCED ERRORS. How did the world react to Keir Starmer’s resignation? France praised his pragmatism but questioned his vision. Italy described him as indecisive. The United States pointed to economic stagnation and defence spending. Perhaps the most striking assessment came from Spain’s El País, which argued that, like a bad tennis player, Starmer made too many unforced errors. In tennis, matches are often lost not because your opponent hits brilliant winners, but because you make mistakes that should have been avoidable. Leadership can be much the same. While external challenges matter, it is often the avoidable errors - poor judgement, indecision and inconsistency - that ultimately determine the result.

3. THE PRICE OF TRANSPARENCY. King Charles has disclosed that he paid £12.9 million in tax during the last financial year, placing him among the UK’s highest taxpayers. Prince William paid just over £7 million. The figures were released as part of the Royal Household’s annual financial report, which also confirmed that the Sovereign Grant will rise to almost £100 million a year. The report also revealed that the King and Queen will not move into Buckingham Palace after its refurbishment, allowing greater public access to the historic building. Whatever your view of the monarchy, openness about public finances and decision-making is an important principle. Leadership is strengthened when transparency replaces speculation.

4. CLIMATE CHANGE COULD HIT MORE THAN THE ENVIRONMENT. Climate change may increasingly be felt at the checkout rather than just in the countryside. Bloomberg, citing economists and recent research, reports that more frequent extreme weather is expected to push up the cost of growing, transporting and insuring food, while also increasing electricity prices. One study estimates this could add around 0.3 percentage points to global inflation each year from 2035. For households, that means more money spent on essentials. For businesses, it means greater uncertainty in supply chains, pricing and investment decisions. Whether viewed through an environmental or economic lens, the leadership challenge is the same: anticipate change, adapt early and build resilience before disruption arrives.

5. EUROPEANS ARE SPENDING LESS. European consumers are tightening their belts. BCG says consumer pessimism has risen for a third consecutive year, with 56% pessimistic about the economy and 53% concerned about their personal finances. Although Eurozone consumer confidence has improved slightly, it remains well below its long-term average. The UK is no exception. Deloitte reports that confidence in the UK economy fell sharply in early 2026, while the CBI points to a weakening retail sector. The real story isn’t about shopping. It’s about confidence. When people become uncertain, they delay decisions, hold onto cash and focus on essentials. The same is true in organisations. When confidence falls, progress slows. Restoring confidence is one of a leader’s most important responsibilities. What most influences your spending decisions today? VOTE HERE

6. WHEN LEADERSHIP LOOKS THE OTHER WAY. On Saturday I spent the day as an extra, playing the role of a head teacher in a forthcoming film about grooming gangs. It was a timely reminder that behind every headline are real victims whose lives have been changed forever. Last week, it emerged that more than 4,000 child sexual exploitation cases in London may now be reconsidered after a nationwide review. Whatever the outcome of those investigations, the story raises an important leadership question. When concerns are repeatedly raised, do leaders dismiss them because they’re uncomfortable, or confront them because they’re important? Leadership isn’t about protecting reputations. It’s about protecting people.

7. CLICHÉS COULD COST YOU THE JOB. Describing yourself as a “hard worker”, “results-driven” or a “team player” may once have impressed recruiters. Today, it could do the opposite. With AI able to generate polished CVs and interview answers in seconds, many hiring managers are becoming increasingly sceptical of generic phrases and buzzwords. Instead, they’re looking for evidence: examples of problems you’ve solved, results you’ve achieved and the impact you’ve made. As AI makes it easier to sound impressive, authenticity becomes more valuable than ever. The best candidates won’t simply tell employers who they are. They’ll show them.

8. WHERE CAN PEOPLE STILL AFFORD TO LIVE? Ireland has overtaken every EU member state to become Europe’s most expensive country for housing, according to Eurostat. Geneva remains the continent’s most expensive city for renters, with London close behind, while Dublin ranks fourth. At the other end of the scale, Sofia and Nicosia remain among Europe’s most affordable capitals. For employers and governments alike, affordable housing is no longer just a social issue. It is becoming an economic one. When people can’t afford to live where the jobs are, attracting and retaining talent becomes increasingly difficult.

9. THE WAY TO THE HEART? They say the way to someone’s heart is through their stomach, and a new survey suggests there may be some truth in it. Steak and chips has been voted Britain’s most romantic meal, chosen by 29% of the 2,000 people surveyed by Heinz. Pasta followed closely behind on 26%, while 4% opted for the humble doner kebab. The findings are light-hearted, but they reveal something deeper. Romance isn’t about expensive gestures. It’s about understanding what matters to the other person. Whether you’re leading a team or nurturing a relationship, knowing what people value is often the difference between success and disappointment.

10. THE BOTTOM LINE. The government will offer businesses £3,000 to hire long-term unemployed young people as part of a new scheme aimed at helping 60,000 of them into work over the next three years. Available across England, Scotland and Wales from tomorrow, the initiative targets 18 to 24-year-olds who have been out of work for at least six months. £3,000 may create an opportunity, but it is good leadership, mentoring and meaningful work that will turn a first job into a lasting career.