The Unfiltered Leader Blog

Insights on Leadership, Communication, and Team Performance

Practical leadership, minus the noise.

Each post gives clear steps to improve execution, communication, and team performance.

New issues every Tuesday.

The Rules to Drop in 2026, and What to Run Instead

The Rules to Drop in 2026, and What to Run Instead

The Rules to Drop in 2026, and What to Run InsteadSkye van Heyzen
Published on: 13/01/2026

Stop running last year’s defaults. Swap “agreeable, reliable, available” for “clear, ownership, focus,” and use a 60-second reset to cut rework and speed decisions.

LeadershipProductivitystrategyDecision Making
The 2026 Playbook: How to Win Without the Noise

The 2026 Playbook: How to Win Without the Noise

The 2026 Playbook: How to Win Without the NoiseSkye van Heyzen
Published on: 06/01/2026

Start 2026 with a calm, clear plan. Reduce friction, protect focus, and integrate work with life. A simple weekly routine to maximise output without adding hours.

LeadershipProductivitystrategyWork-Life Balance
Stop Hinting, Start Asking: December Rules for Leaders

Stop Hinting, Start Asking: December Rules for Leaders

Stop Hinting, Start Asking: December Rules for LeadersSkye van Heyzen
Published on: 16/12/2025

December compresses work and slows decisions. Use outcome-first updates and clean asks to cut meetings, protect focus time, and stop guesswork turning into rework.

CommunicationLeadershipProductivityDecision Making
Visible Work, Invisible Leader: The Productivity Cost

Visible Work, Invisible Leader: The Productivity Cost

Visible Work, Invisible Leader: The Productivity CostSkye van Heyzen
Published on: 09/12/2025

Busy leaders report tasks, not movement. That fuels meetings, delays, and missed decisions. Use outcome-first updates and a 10-minute decision stand-up to lift throughput.

CommunicationLeadershipTeam DynamicsProductivityExecutive Development