EDITION 1069
12 MAY 2025

On this day in 1820, Florence Nightingale, who developed nursing as a profession through her efforts to provide better care for soldiers during the Crimean War, was born to English parents in the Italian city for which she was named. A blue plaque was recently unveiled at the site of the former Derbyshire Royal Hospital that she helped design.

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 be assertive while being yourself. If you're naturally reserved, you've probably heard some version of this advice at work: “You need to speak up more” or “Be more assertive.” And while well-meaning, that advice can feel frustrating - especially when being reserved is simply part of who you are. The good news is, you don’t need to become someone you’re not in order to be heard or get what you want. READ MORE

2. Leadership begins with peace. When Robert Prevost became Pope Leo XIV - America’s first pontiff - he began not with politics, but with purpose: “Peace be with you all.” In front of 100,000 at St Peter’s Basilica, his message was simple yet powerful: “Evil will not prevail.” At 69, Pope Leo is seen as a continuity figure, aligned with Pope Francis on caring for the poor, the environment, and the marginalised. His leadership style offers a timely reminder: in moments of global uncertainty, real authority doesn’t shout - it steadies. His name choice, echoing strength in times of crisis, reinforces a vision rooted in courage and compassion. Great leaders don’t rush to control. They begin by reaffirming values. In any setting - from boardrooms to global stages - peace, clarity, and purpose are timeless tools of influence. Editor

3. Lower interest rates are good for some. The Bank of England’s decision to cut its base rate from 4.5% to 4.25% was widely expected but marks an important moment for the UK economy. Rates are down a full percentage point from their peak this time last year and further gradual and careful cuts are on the horizon for 2025. But who stands to gain from the decision, and who will be left counting the cost? Homeowners with variable-rate mortgages and businesses looking to borrow may benefit from lower monthly repayments and cheaper financing. However, savers and those relying on interest income could see their returns shrink. And with inflation still lurking, the Bank must tread carefully - easing pressure without reigniting the very price rises it's worked so hard to contain. Editor

4. US and UL announce historic trade deal. A breakthrough US-UK trade deal is a timely reminder that leadership is often about pragmatism over ideology. With tariffs slashed on steel, cars, and ethanol, both Trump and Starmer have seized a rare diplomatic win - balancing domestic interests with global cooperation. Starmer’s remote appearance from a Midlands car plant signals a savvy blend of symbolism and strategy. Trump, facing re-election pressures, gains a policy success. Deals like this are rarely perfect - “a curate’s egg,” as The Times put it - but they show that progress often comes from imperfect compromise. The best leaders ask where can we find common ground? Editor

5. The lost art of letter writing. When was the last time you wrote a letter — not an email or a long-winded text, but a real pen-to-paper correspondence? As a leader, mastering the art of letter writing sets you apart. A well-crafted letter communicates thoughtfulness, sincerity, and intentionality - qualities that foster trust and respect. Whether it’s to show appreciation, offer encouragement, or address a challenge, a letter gives your words weight and permanence. In a fast-paced digital world, a personal note stands out. It shows you care enough to slow down and connect meaningfully - one of the simplest, most powerful tools in a leader’s arsenal. When was the last time you wrote a real, pen-to-paper letter? Please share your views in our latest poll. VOTE HERE

6. Are you truly a good listener? Research from Harvard University shows that when employees feel heard, their engagement and performance significantly improve - benefiting the entire organisation. Yet, many managers struggle with effective listening. It's not due to a lack of intention, but because real listening requires focus, empathy, and patience - traits that can be mentally taxing. Common pitfalls include rushing conversations, multitasking, or jumping to conclusions. To build stronger communication, leaders should carve out distraction-free time for meaningful one-on-ones, ask thoughtful follow-up questions, and show genuine curiosity. For instance, instead of simply nodding during a feedback session, probe with, “What makes you feel that way?” or “Tell me more about that situation.” Intentional listening creates trust and trust drives results. Editor

7. Depressed teens use social media more. Teens with anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) spend on average 50 minutes more on social media a day than their peers, a study has found. Adolescents with such mental health conditions also experience greater dissatisfaction with aspects of social media use such as their online friend number, according to the new analysis of data of over 3300 adolescents aged between 11 and 19, originally recorded in 2017. Young social media users with the above diagnoses compare themselves more to others, and suffer more mood changes due to received reactions. University of Cambridge

8. First time buyers need family money. Whether or not you can get a foot on the property ladder increasingly depends on your family's wealth. More than half of first-time buyers in the UK last year received financial support from their parents or another relative, according to estate agency Savills. The "bank of mum and dad" handed out £9.6bn in total, with an average contribution of £55,572. Aspiring homeowners without access to family gifts or loans may find it harder to get a mortgage. Young buyers faced relatively high mortgage rates last year while higher rents have been eating into savings. BBC

9. Danish singles without children pay Europe’s top income tax. Personal income tax rates in Europe ranged from as low as 6.2% in Poland to over 35% in Denmark for single earners without children in 2024, new data from the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development show. Italy had the highest rate (20.9%) in Europe’s biggest economies, while the UK had the lowest at 15.5% Euronews

10. The bottom line. 54% of Americans think President Trump is “exceeding the powers available to him” (this includes 16% of Republicans). 66% would describe his second term so far as “chaotic”. The New York Times