Six months into 2025

A lot has happened – in the world, in work, and definitely within Deborah Bulcock Coaching HQ.

As always, I’ve taken a bit of time to pause, reflect, and share. Not in a tick-box way, but as a meaningful opportunity to honour what’s unfolded, recognise the shifts, and look ahead with intent.

If you’ve got the headspace, I’d encourage you to do the same. Here’s my own version, shaped through three lenses: Navigate, Notice, and Nurture.

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Before you read on – there’s now an audio version

I’ve recorded the blog in audio form too – a first for me – nothing fancy just yet, simply an audio file if you’d prefer to listen rather than read. Click below.

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Navigate: The Highs, Lows, and Steadying the Ship

Team Transitions & Finding Our Groove

At the start of the year, there was a big shift at DB HQ  – Emily, brilliant full-time Operations Manager and PA, stepped away to welcome her baby (who arrived safe and healthy in March).

That kind of change makes you take stock and work out what’s right for the next chapter. Rather than a like-for-like replacement, I made the decision to evolve how the business operates.

My sister, Jennifer, stepped in as Business Support Manager on a part-time flexible basis around her substantive role. And yes, we know all the warnings about working with family! But we’ve found our rhythm, and it’s working beautifully. I’m grateful for the calm, consistent support she brings to the engine room of the business.

 

Slowdown, Speed Up, or Stability?

I started the year anticipating a potential slowdown, given the wider economic climate. I put mitigating plans in place, because that’s just sensible business management – but so far, those fears haven’t materialised.

Clients continue to find their way to me and new work is flowing. But I remain anything but complacent – if 2020 taught us anything, it’s to stay alert and ready to respond.

And this year has brought real clarity for me too — I’ve doubled down on what I do best: 1:1 coaching and strategic advisory. That means stepping away from other services I’ve offered in the past. It’s a bit scary — the classic “what if?” question always lurks — but it feels right.

Focus brings freedom…

 

Brilliance in the Client Room

I continue to be humbled by the people I work with. The courage, resilience, and integrity they demonstrate – often quietly, consistently, and under immense pressure amazes me.

Whether navigating their own transitions, leading complex change, or simply holding it together in tough circumstances, they inspire me every day.

 

Learning, Stretching, Supporting Myself Too

A big highlight for me has been completing training on a Coaching for Neurodiversity course. This is a vast, evolving area — and whilst I’m certainly no expert, the learning has already informed how I work, including tweaks to my client-facing processes. It’s important to me to do the work, not just say the words.

On a personal note, juggling delivery and business changes, all while managing some life stuff behind the scenes, hasn’t always been easy. I’ve had my own worries and doubts. But I’ve also had plenty of support from family, friends, my own coaches, supervisor, and small biz crew.

I knew the strain would be short-lived, and some of those tough moments helped forced decisions I’d been sitting on. As summer continues, I can feel things levelling out again and the decisions made are already serving me well.

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Notice: Insights From the Field and From Within

What’s Standing Out in the World of Work

There’s a big theme: pressure.

Leaders are under it. Organisations are navigating ripple effects from the wider economic and political climate – and those that treat change as a constant, not an exception, look to be coping better. The ones that are consistently evolving, innovating, and culturally prepared for flux seem to find more a stable footing, even when the ground beneath them shifts.

Many of the leaders I work with are either in transition themselves or leading significant organisational transformation. And they’re doing so while also trying to maintain wellbeing, energy, and composure in the face of enormous demands. It’s no small task.

The theme of emotional regulation – staying grounded and professional when tensions run high – has surfaced a lot. And let’s face it, tensions can always increase when the pressure for change and enhanced performance is on. But ultimately, these are times we want teams feeling safe, calm, and well led.

I’m reminded weekly of the value of a confidential, independent, and non-judgemental space continues to be a lifeline. A space where leaders can take the mask off, be honest, speak freely — and then figure things out constructively, with someone who truly gets it. It’s why my work is more than coaching. It’s trusted partnership. It’s thinking time, sanity space, and strategic clarity all wrapped up into one.

 

What I’ve Been Learning About Myself

Solo work requires connection

Returning to working alone most of the time after having someone alongside me was an adjustment. It reminded me how important it is to actively seek out meaningful connection when you’re a team of one.

Ride the rhythm

Business has its natural cycles. There have been times when a quiet diary would send me into a marketing frenzy or task-mode panic. These days? I’m learning to trust the rhythm. When it slows, I slow. So I’m fighting fit when it picks up again. I don’t claim to have it completely nailed, but there’s progress.

Simplicity AND ease

For a few years now, my mantra has revolved around aiming to achieve “simplicity” in work and life. This year that shifted subtly to seeking “ease”. Not “easy” but “ease”.

There’s an important distinction. I love a challenge and I thrive on a bit of grit and pressure. But I want things to feel aligned. Right. Like they belong. That means saying no to things that drain energy or clutter the business. It’s a work in progress, but it’s already making a difference.

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Nurture: Holding Steady and Looking Ahead

Ease, Simplicity, and Serving Well

The second half of 2025 is about maintaining the good, letting go of what doesn’t serve, and staying anchored in what matters. I’ll stray occasionally (old habits and shiny side projects die hard!), but the intention is clear: keep it steady, keep it joyful, keep it real.

Client work remains the heartbeat of what I do — that’s where my energy goes first. Everything else revolves around that.

Sharing More, Helping More

I’m also feeling a growing pull towards knowledge and insight sharing, more proactively and on a broader scale. Not as a marketing strategy, but because I want to be helpful.

I want more people to experience fulfilment in their careers. And I think I’ve got a role to play in supporting that beyond my client base. That’s something I’ll be exploring, slowly and in alignment with the idea of ease.

Whether it’s book 3, a different medium of written content, some form of audio, or something else entirely, I don’t know. But I will land on it and start experimenting. Ideally before year-end.

 

And a Personal Nudge…

I’m also reflecting on how to create more leisure in my life, not just by freeing up time, but by finding things that genuinely draw me in more than my work does (which, when you love what you do, is no small feat!).

 

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A Nudge for You

Six months is a long time. If you haven’t already, I invite you to reflect. Not just on KPIs and outcomes (this isn’s your PDR), but on what’s felt fulfilling. What’s challenged you. What you’ve learnt.

Here are a few questions that might help:

• What’s brought you the most joy — and how can you get more of that?
• What’s been tough — and what have you learned from it?
• What insight are you carrying forward — and what are you doing with it?
• And perhaps most importantly: When you sit with your favourite people at the end of the year, what do you want to be proudly saying about YOU in 2025?

Here’s to the next six months — with purpose, with joy, and maybe a little more ease.

 

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Thinking you might need a partner in your corner?

If you’re a senior leader navigating change, juggling pressure, or simply wanting space to think clearly and lead well – and you’d value a trusted partner by your side –  that’s the work I love most. If you’re ready to talk, you can book an enquiry call here. Or if you’re still exploring stay connected on LinkedIn.