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Ali Aydan; Looking sharp is easy. Being useful is harder.
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This one made me smile:“It’s easy to look sharp when you haven’t done any work.” Truth is, real impact wears you down a bit. The polished surface might impress some.But it’s the wear and tear that tells the real story. Here’s what I’ve seen in 20+ years of building businesses: 1. The most valuable…
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Ali Aydan; Stuck? You’re still not standing still.
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This quote is gold:“When fishermen cannot go to sea, they repair nets.” It’s a quiet reminder that progress isn’t always loud.And momentum doesn’t always look like action. In business and leadership, there will be slow seasons.Markets shift. Deals stall. Teams go through transitions.You can’t always “go to sea”, but you can prepare. Here’s what…
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Ali Aydan; Are you watching others or working on your own win?
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Most leaders don’t lose because of the competition.They lose focus because of the competition. This quote hits hard:“Losers focus on winners. Winners focus on winning.” Over the years, here’s what I’ve learned: 1. Comparison is a distraction.Looking sideways takes your eyes off your own race. The energy you waste watching others could be better…
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Ali Aydan; Got a group… or a real team?
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Bringing talented people together doesn’t guarantee success. After leading teams across industries and continents, I’ve learnt that a group becomes a team only when it shares purpose, trust and accountability. Early in my career, I assumed hiring the best talent was enough. Instead, I faced stalled projects, mixed priorities and low morale. That’s when…
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Ali Aydan; Are you judging too quickly?
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In leadership and in life, things aren’t always as they appear. It’s tempting to take what we see at face value. The successful competitor. The calm colleague. The “overnight” success. But the full story is usually hidden. Here are three lessons that have helped me look past appearances. 1. Success isn’t the full pictureWhat…
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Ali Aydan; Are you running from challenges or rising to meet them?
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Life isn’t meant to be easy. It’s meant to test you, stretch you, and prepare you for what’s next. Early in my career, I saw challenges as obstacles to success. Now I know they are the path. Every difficult moment has shaped me and taught me lessons I couldn’t have learnt any other way.…
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Ali Aydan: Are you actually here right now?
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It’s easy to get stuck replaying the past or worrying about the future and miss the moment right in front of you. I used to think success came from planning ahead or analysing what had already happened. Both matter, but I’ve learnt that the real impact happens when you fully engage with now. Here’s…
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Ali Aydan: Want your team to think like owners?
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The best employees don’t simply work for your business. They think like they own it.In my experience, employees who adopt an ownership mindset are the ones who consistently innovate, build resilience and deliver lasting results. And guess what?Ownership isn’t about job titles or company shares. It’s about attitude and accountability. Here’s how you can…
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Ali Aydan: Ever felt like quitting right before success?
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Here’s the uncomfortable truth: most entrepreneurs stop just moments before the breakthrough they’ve been working towards. Sound familiar? You’re putting in the hours, resources, and energy, yet progress feels painfully slow. Frustration creeps in, and you consider pivoting or packing it in altogether. But what if your big moment is right around the corner?…
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Ali Aydan: Fed up with ridiculous job descriptions?
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“Entry-level role: requires 10 years’ experience.” We’ve all seen job postings like this. They might seem funny at first glance. But for new talent trying to break through, they’re frustrating, and they can harm your business too. As leaders, let’s commit to writing clear and fair job descriptions in 2025. Here’s how: 1. Keep…