🤝 It’s Not Just Who You Know… You’ve heard the phrase: “Your network is your net worth”, but let’s be honest: networking often feels forced, awkward, or overly transactional. Business cards get exchanged, LinkedIn connections made, but the conversation ends there. What if we told you that real networking, the kind that shapes careers, sparks ideas, and supports wellbeing is actually backed by science? This edition of the Pendulum Newsletter breaks down what research tells us about meaningful human connection, and how to build a network that’s truly worth having. 1. Your Brain Is Built for Bonding We are hardwired to connect. Social interaction isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s essential for cognitive function, emotional health, and long-term success. Research from the International Journal of Clinical and Health Psychology found that positive social connection activates the same brain reward centres as money and food. Meanwhile, social isolation has a comparable health risk to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. In work environments, the data is even more compelling: Gallup found that employees with a “best friend” at work are 7x more likely to be engaged. Teams with strong internal networks show higher resilience, creativity, and retention Connection isn’t a “soft skill”, it’s a survival skill – and a performance one, too.   2. Weak Ties, Strong Outcomes It’s easy to believe that close connections matter most. But it’s actually your looser ties, acquaintances, former colleagues, even one-off conversations that can have the biggest impact on opportunity. In 2022, over 20 million LinkedIn interactions were analysed and found that people were 2-4x more likely to land new opportunities through weak ties than close ones. Why? Because: Weak ties offer fresh perspectives They connect us to new industries and geographies They help us escape echo chambers That five-minute conversation you have in a hallway or during a break? It might just change your trajectory.   3. Good Networking Is Listening, Not Selling We often feel pressure to “stand out” when meeting new people. But research shows that the most likeable, memorable individuals aren’t the ones who talk the most are the ones who ask thoughtful questions. A Harvard Business School study revealed that people who asked follow-up questions were seen as more competent, more empathetic and more trustworthy Try this: Instead of “What do you do?”, ask “What’s something you’re excited about right now?” It leads to a richer, more human interaction.   4.  Relationships Are a Long Game In the age of instant everything, networking still takes time. Meaningful professional relationships aren’t built at once, they’re grown over time with small moments of presence, generosity, and follow-up. According to the Journal of Applied Psychology, people who consistently maintain professional relationships (even briefly) experience: Stronger career progression Greater psychological safety at work Higher long-term job satisfaction Networking isn’t an event. It’s a habit.   💬 Final Thought: Fewer Cards, More Conversations The best connections often start in unexpected places with a curious question, a shared insight, or a quiet act of kindness. So if networking feels daunting, remember: it’s not about being the loudest person in the room. It’s about being the most present. Ask well. Listen better. Follow up slowly. That’s where the magic happens. Looking Ahead to Pendulum 2026   If this year’s event is anything to go by, Pendulum Summit 2026 is set to raise the bar yet again. The early buzz suggests another powerhouse line-up and even more tailored leadership content. Tickets are already in demand, with early-bird packages available now for teams looking to secure their place at the world’s leading business and self-empowerment summit. Visit here for more information.

When the Role Becomes the Mask Leadership comes with titles, responsibilities, and expectations, but for many high performers, something else happens too, quietly, over time: They start to lose themselves. They become so focused on delivering results, meeting standards, and “being a leader” that their authentic self slowly gets edited out. The mask hardens, the pressure grows, and one day the role they play feels more familiar than the person they are. This isn’t just considered as ‘burnout’, it’s the erosion of their identity. And it’s one of the most unspoken crises in leadership today. But here’s the truth: you can’t lead others well if you’re disconnected from yourself. 1. The Identity Shift Is Real and Measurable Leadership roles change how people behave and how they see themselves. In one study published in the Journal of Applied Psychology, researchers found that individuals in high-status leadership roles often suppress their emotions and self-expression in order to fit perceived norms. Over time, this leads to emotional dissonance, decreased job satisfaction, and a weakened sense of identity. In simpler terms: when leaders feel like they can’t be themselves, they don’t just perform worse, they lose sight of who they are. This disconnection becomes especially dangerous in high-pressure environments, where performance is prioritised over presence. The more successful someone becomes, the more likely they are to wear the mask, and the harder it becomes to take it off. 2. When You’re Always “On,” You Forget Who You Are Off Many leaders describe feeling like they’re constantly performing. Managing perception, delivering confidence, staying strong for others, but very few are taught how to reconnect to themselves when the cameras are off, the meetings end, and the adrenaline fades. In a 2022 survey by Deloitte, 60% of senior executives said they felt they couldn’t be fully authentic at work, despite preaching authenticity to their teams. That disconnect isn’t just ironic. It’s costly. Without moments to reflect, restore, or recalibrate, leaders lose internal clarity. And when that happens, they become reactive instead of responsive – leading from pressure instead of purpose. 3. Real Leadership Starts With Real Self-Awareness You can’t lead others effectively if you haven’t checked in with yourself. High-impact leaders invest in self-awareness not as a luxury, but as a leadership tool. They journal. They seek coaching. They ask hard questions like: What’s actually driving my decisions right now? Am I leading from alignment or obligation? Who am I when I’m not producing? According to research from Tasha Eurich, organisational psychologist and author of Insight, leaders who demonstrate high internal self-awareness are better performers, make sounder decisions, and are more effective communicators. And yet, only 10–15% of people are truly self-aware. That gap isn’t inevitable. It’s addressable, with intention. 4. Leading Without the Mask Isn’t Weakness—It’s Strength There’s a myth that showing who you are makes you vulnerable in the wrong way. But the data and lived experience say otherwise. In a 2021 study in Harvard Business Review, employees who described their leaders as “genuine and self-aware” also reported higher trust, loyalty, and resilience during change. Authenticity doesn’t diminish authority. It enhances it. When leaders speak honestly about challenges, admit mistakes, and show up with humanity and not just performance, they unlock real followership. People don’t want perfect, they want real, and so do leaders themselves. 💬 Final Thought: You’re More Than the Role Leadership is a privilege. But it’s not your personality. The best leaders don’t sacrifice themselves to become someone they think the role requires. They bring their whole selves to the work and build cultures that allow others to do the same. So if the mask is feeling heavy… it’s time to check in. Reconnect with your values. Revisit what makes you feel most you. Because the more you lead from that place, the more sustainable, trusted, and fulfilled your leadership becomes.

🔁 Revisiting a Standout Moment from Pendulum 2018 At Pendulum Summit 2018, Robin Sharma stepped onto the stage not to impress, but to provoke reflection. He began not with a strategy or success story, but with a poem once taped to his family fridge: “Spring has passed, summer has gone, and winter is here. And the song I meant to sing remains unsung, for I have spent my days stringing and unstringing my instrument.” This was no ordinary opening. It was a warning: don’t spend your life preparing instead of living. The central message of his keynote, similar to many others who have shared their message from the Pendulum stage was that success without presence is empty, and leadership without purpose is noise. 1. The Age of Dramatic Distraction Sharma painted a vivid picture of the modern professional’s daily reality: “We are addicted to distraction. We are addicted to technology. We are addicted to applause.” He cautioned that even the most talented leaders and performers are being pulled into a vortex of shallow focus, checking inboxes, chasing likes, and mistaking busyness for effectiveness. “We are distracted every 11 minutes, and it takes us 20 minutes to refocus.” That claim is more than anecdotal. A UC Irvine study confirms that it takes over 23 minutes to fully regain focus after an interruption. Add to that the growing pressure to multitask, and it’s clear: we’re paying for distraction with depth. Robin didn’t just present this as a personal failing. He called it a systemic leadership issue. When executives can’t concentrate, they don’t just lose productivity, they lose clarity. And without clarity, purpose fades. “If you want to do your greatest work, you need solitude. You need stillness.” 2. Efficiency Is Not the Goal In a world that often celebrates hustle as virtue, Robin challenged the audience to reconsider what they were actually working toward. He warned against the seductive trap of being busy but aimless, asking: Are you filling your days, or fulfilling your purpose? “The job of a leader is not to be busy, it’s to be valuable,” he told the audience, setting the tone for what became a central theme of his talk: intention over motion. Referencing Peter Drucker, he reminded us that “there is nothing so useless as doing efficiently that which should not be done.” Too many professionals, he suggested, are executing at full tilt without ever asking whether their efforts are meaningful. “You can be world-class at being busy… and still not get a single important thing done.” That insight is echoed by the data. According to Gallup’s 2023 State of the Global Workplace, only 23% of employees feel engaged at work. The remaining majority are active but disconnected. Productive, but not purposeful. Robin’s call was clear: stop equating efficiency with effectiveness. Leadership isn’t about speed, it’s about steering. And without a clear direction, even your most productive days can lead nowhere. 3. Leadership as Humanity, Not Hierarchy As he shifted into the emotional core of his talk, Robin posed a striking question to the audience: “How many of you want to learn how to be a better human being?” What followed wasn’t a tactic. It was a philosophy. He spoke about leaders who lift others not with authority, but with attention. Leaders who prioritise emotional intelligence over ego. And who understand that their job is not to be the hero, but to build heroes. 🎥 Watch the clip: https://pendulumsummit.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/robin-sharma-newsletter-for-linkedin.mp4 This message is echoed in recent research: a 2021 study published in Harvard Business Review found that leaders who model vulnerability, coach rather than command, and seek feedback significantly outperform their peers in team engagement and resilience, especially in times of uncertainty. As Robin put it: “If you’re not building your people, you’re not leading. You’re following.” 💬 Final Thought: Tune the Instrument Robin Sharma’s Pendulum keynote didn’t offer hacks or hacksaws. It offered a moment to stop. To think. To question whether we’ve spent too long “stringing and unstringing the instrument” instead of playing the song our life was meant to sing. He reminded us that the currency of real leadership is not productivity, it’s purpose, clarity, and character. The leaders who change lives are the ones who return, again and again, to what truly matters. 🎟️ Want to reconnect with your own purpose and learn from the world’s most transformational speakers? Join us at Pendulum Summit 2026 for two days of mindset, mastery, and movement. Looking Ahead to Pendulum 2026 If this year’s event is anything to go by, Pendulum Summit 2026 is set to raise the bar yet again. The early buzz suggests another powerhouse line-up and even more tailored leadership content. Tickets are already in demand, with early-bird packages available now for teams looking to secure their place at the world’s leading business and self-empowerment summit. Visit here for more information.

Feedback Is Fuel, Only If You Know How to Use It In high-pressure environments, feedback often becomes a performance tool used to correct, evaluate, or drive urgency. But the best leaders see it differently. They use feedback not just to manage performance, but to build trust, develop self-awareness, and create cultures of growth. Reason being that high-performing teams aren’t built by telling people what they got wrong, they’re built by helping people understand how to get better. 1. Feedback Is a Relationship, Not a Transaction Many leaders treat feedback like a checklist item: give it, tick the box, move on. But truly effective feedback starts with context, care, and credibility. When people don’t trust the messenger, they won’t take the message on board. That’s why feedback culture begins long before a performance conversation. It starts with how safe people feel speaking up, asking questions, or admitting when they’re stuck. As one study from MIT Sloan Management Review found, teams with high feedback receptivity showed significantly better collaboration, innovation, and adaptability, especially in fast-changing environments. Furthermore, according to Google‘s Project Oxygen, one of the top behaviours of effective managers is the ability to coach and give timely, helpful feedback. It’s not just nice to have, it’s core to team performance. 2. Great Leaders Give Feedback That Feeds Forward While traditional feedback focuses on what went wrong, the most effective leaders focus on what’s next. They guide people toward growth by framing feedback around potential, not just performance. This “feed forward” approach makes feedback more actionable and future-oriented. This helps in turning it into a development tool, not a judgment. The Center for Creative Leadership (CCL) found that forward-focused feedback leads to higher engagement, stronger initiative, and greater problem-solving within teams. It keeps people moving forward rather than stuck in what already happened. The message is clear: feedback shouldn’t just revisit the past. It should unlock the future. 3. They Make Feedback Normal, Not Formal Waiting for quarterly reviews to share insight is like waiting until the end of the race to tell someone they were running the wrong way. In high-trust teams, feedback is part of the rhythm, not a big event. It’s frequent, fast, and embedded in everyday interactions. A comment after a meeting, a Teams message of encouragement, or even a two-minute conversation that shifts perspective. The key isn’t quantity, it’s quality. And consistency builds confidence. 4. They Model It Before They Expect It The most powerful feedback doesn’t come from the top down, it’s mutual. The best leaders ask for feedback as often as they give it. They show that growth isn’t just for junior staff, it’s for everyone. And in doing so, they send the message: this is a team that gets better together. According to Harvard Business Review, employees who see their leaders request and act on feedback are more likely to report stronger team cohesion, higher job satisfaction, and greater openness to change. Feedback becomes less about evaluation, and more about evolution. 💬 Final Thought Feedback isn’t just a skill. It’s a culture. And when it’s done well, it unlocks growth that no strategy or system can match. Because the teams that improve fastest are the ones that talk to each other honestly and often. Looking Ahead to Pendulum 2026 If this year’s event is anything to go by, Pendulum Summit 2026 is set to raise the bar yet again. The early buzz suggests another powerhouse line-up and even more tailored leadership content. Tickets are already in demand, with early-bird packages available now for teams looking to secure their place at the world’s leading business and self-empowerment summit. Visit here for more information.

When David Meade walked on stage at Pendulum Summit 2025, he wasted no time in energising the audience. With his trademark wit, engaging delivery, and razor-sharp insights, he delivered a keynote that was both deeply entertaining and highly practical for today’s business leaders. As an internationally renowned mentalist, academic, and advisor to global brands, David brought a fresh lens to one of the most overlooked drivers of success in any organisation — the power of decision making. The Underrated Force Behind Every High-Performing Team “Decisions are the oxygen of great teams, individuals, and organisations,” David declared early in his talk. It was a line that landed powerfully — not just because of its simplicity, but because of its truth. In a fast-paced world, businesses often obsess over strategy, innovation and execution — but the quality of those outcomes all stem from one core behaviour: decision making. David guided the audience through a thought-provoking exploration of what makes a decision truly great. Not just a good call in the moment, but one that holds up over time. He reminded attendees that in moments of change or disruption, how we think and decide becomes the defining factor in how we lead and perform. Behavioural Science Meets Real-World Leadership What makes David’s delivery stand out is how he seamlessly blends science with storytelling. Drawing on his academic background and years of consulting experience with Fortune 500 companies, he shared real-world examples of how small behavioural shifts can unlock extraordinary results. He tackled the behavioural biases that often derail decision making — from overthinking and inertia to the illusion of certainty — and offered simple, science-backed ways to overcome them. “People don’t need more information,” he said. “They need better frameworks for action.” By making the science of human behaviour accessible and actionable, David gave leaders tools they could take back to their teams immediately — not theoretical ideas, but practical insights that shift how people think, act and perform. Micro-Decisions, Macro Impact Another key theme that ran throughout David’s keynote was the idea of marginal gains — the concept that success isn’t about massive, overnight change, but the accumulation of consistent, small wins. “It’s not the big, sweeping decisions that shape high-performance cultures — it’s the hundreds of small choices made every day,” he explained. Whether it’s how leaders open meetings, respond to setbacks, or manage their energy and focus, those micro-moments influence culture, productivity and engagement more than any single grand strategy ever could. Creating Cultures That Thrive in Uncertainty With businesses across the globe facing ongoing disruption, economic headwinds and shifting workforce dynamics, David’s message was particularly relevant: leadership today is less about certainty and more about clarity. He challenged leaders to reduce complexity, eliminate decision fatigue, and design environments that make good decisions easier to make — and easier to stick to. “People don’t fail because they’re lazy,” he said. “They fail because the system around them isn’t designed for success.” His call to action was clear: if you want your team to think better, perform better, and feel more engaged, you need to build a culture where good decisions are the default — not the exception. Key Takeaways from David Meade’s Talk Decisions drive performance – Every action and outcome stems from a decision. Build better habits around how decisions are made and taken. Small changes create big results – Sustainable success comes from marginal gains, not monumental overhauls. Knowledge without application is useless – The gap between knowing and doing is where most organisations struggle. Reduce decision fatigue – Leaders should focus on clarity, simplicity, and helping teams prioritise what really matters. Culture is shaped by behaviour, not slogans – What people experience every day becomes your brand and culture. People thrive in systems designed for success – It’s not about pushing harder, but designing smarter. A Standout Talk That Left a Lasting Impression David Meade’s keynote was one of the most energising and insightful moments at Pendulum Summit 2025. Blending humour, science, and practical tools, he reminded us that high performance doesn’t require complex systems — it starts with better thinking and better choices. For business leaders, managers and aspiring entrepreneurs in the room, it was a timely reminder that the way we make decisions — and the systems we create to support them — are some of the most powerful tools we have to shape the future of our organisations. Looking Ahead to Pendulum 2026 If this year’s event is anything to go by, Pendulum Summit 2026 is set to raise the bar yet again. The early buzz suggests another powerhouse line-up and even more tailored leadership content. Tickets are already in demand, with early-bird packages available now for teams looking to secure their place at the world’s leading business and self-empowerment summit. Visit here for more information.

One of the most gripping and powerful moments at Pendulum Summit 2025 came from open-water swimmer and endurance athlete Nuala Moore, whose breathtaking story of survival, mental strength, and pushing past fear captivated every person in the room. Known globally for her record-breaking swims in some of the world’s most extreme and hostile environments, Nuala took the audience on a deeply personal and emotional journey — one that went far beyond the cold water — into the very core of human resilience and courage. Her message about facing fear head-on and mastering our internal narrative left a profound and lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to hear it. Into the Unknown: Swimming at the Edge of the World Nuala opened her keynote by transporting the audience to Cape Horn — the southernmost headland of South America, where the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans collide in one of the most dangerous stretches of water on Earth. This was the setting of her 2018 expedition, a solo swim from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic, across the meridian of Cape Horn — a feat so extreme, few could even imagine it. Travelling 100 nautical miles to the starting point, through channels and islands, Nuala described how the ocean’s energy shifted — growing colder, darker, deeper. But it wasn’t just the physical challenge that stood out — it was the emotional and psychological demands of stepping into the unknown. “As I stood there ready to enter the water,” she said, “all I could think was — this is insane. I have to be home for work on Monday.” When Courage Becomes a Decision Nuala’s talk wasn’t simply about endurance — it was about decision-making under pressure. She spoke of the moment we all recognise: standing at the edge of something frightening, questioning whether we’re capable, and choosing to step forward anyway. “Sometimes we don’t fully realise what we’ve committed to until we’re standing in it,” she said. “And by then, there’s only one option — forward.” Her message was deeply relatable to leaders in the room. Whether launching a business, taking a risk, or navigating uncertainty, Nuala’s story reminded everyone that courage isn’t the absence of fear — it’s what you do in spite of it. Leading with Self-Belief, Grit and Vulnerability One of the most impactful parts of Nuala’s keynote was her honesty about vulnerability — not just physical, but emotional. She spoke about the isolation, the internal dialogue, and the moments of doubt that come even to the most seasoned professionals. Yet it was precisely this vulnerability, she explained, that fuels her strength. Because to perform at the edge of your limits, you must first understand your mind — and trust it. Her story became a metaphor for leadership in its truest form: not bravado or perfection, but deep, internal fortitude and the ability to stay composed in chaos. Lessons From the Water for Business and Life Though her story came from the sea, Nuala’s insights hit home for leaders, entrepreneurs and professionals across every sector. Her keynote highlighted the importance of adaptability, situational awareness, and resilience — not as traits reserved for adventurers, but as essential qualities for anyone navigating a world of rapid change. She reminded us that challenges will always come — but how we meet them is where true growth happens. https://vimeo.com/1065562506?share=copy   Key Takeaways from Nuala Moore’s Talk  Fear is not the enemy — it’s a compass – The presence of fear often signals where we grow next. Courage is a decision, not a feeling – You don’t need to feel brave to take brave action. Mental strength is built in discomfort – You discover what you’re capable of when you step outside your comfort zone. Vulnerability fuels resilience – Real strength comes from understanding your limits and still choosing to go forward. Leadership means staying calm in chaos – Whether in icy waters or in boardrooms, composure is a competitive advantage. Every challenge changes you – You don’t come out the same person who went in — and that’s where the magic lies. A Defining Moment at Pendulum Summit 2025 Nuala Moore didn’t just talk about resilience — she embodied it. Her presence on the Pendulum Summit stage was a masterclass in mindset, grit and unwavering belief in human potential. Her story reminded everyone in the room that while our oceans may differ, we all have our own cold waters to cross — and the courage to face them lives within us all. Looking Ahead to Pendulum 2026 If this year’s event is anything to go by, Pendulum Summit 2026 is set to raise the bar yet again. The early buzz suggests another powerhouse line-up and even more tailored leadership content. Tickets are already in demand, with early-bird packages available now for teams looking to secure their place at the world’s leading business and self-empowerment summit. Visit here for more information.