How to Lead: Doing Less But Better
I remember times when I rushed from one task, one meeting to the next. Someone always wanted more from me and I wanted to help but I felt like I was always playing catch-up.
I couldn’t help but wonder, “Is it just me?”.
We want to do good work, lead our teams well and have a life we love.
I’m Dr Margaret Collins and I can help you do less, better.
Many of my clients are in busy roles where expertise matters. You’re good at your job, respected by colleagues and yet you might still feel that you should be doing more.
- How do other people fit it all in?!
- Why does your to-do list stay unfinished, no matter how hard you work?
Sound familiar?
And when it comes to leadership, yes, I know you’ve started climbing the career ladder but even after years of training, maybe in those quiet moments you ask:
- Am I good enough for this?
- Do I have the time or energy?
- Do I even want this?
Maybe you’re still figuring out what sort of leader you are – it’s not like you see many role models you like! You don’t want to be over-confident or arrogant but it’s too easy to be overlooked. It’s frustrating. It’s exhausting.
But here’s the truth. It doesn’t need to be this way. With the right tools and support, you can do less and better – lead with confidence and ease.
The challenges of trying to do it all while feeling a bit of a fraud
Some patterns recur. Do these sound familiar to you?
- You feel you’re constantly playing catch-up. A part of you worries it’s your fault, you should be able to cope better.
- The constant juggle feels impossible. Your work, your team, your life – it’s hard to focus and get stuff done as the to-do list gets longer and longer.
- You brush-off praise. A colleague compliments your work and you immediately point out all the ways in which it could be even better. Your Inner Critic knows you so well…
- You hold back from opportunity. The perfect chance is right in front of you… but you don’t volunteer, you watch as someone with less experience steps forward and takes the lead. Was it a lack of confidence or being on the edge of exhaustion that held you back?
These challenges are common but needn’t define you.
Are you ready to claim leadership with confidence and clarity?
Book a call with Margaret
Arrange a simple, no obligation conversation. Let’s talk soon!
I’m Dr Margaret Collins, one-time Academic, now a professional coach.
I specialise in helping people like you, dedicated professionals who want to integrate a challenging career with a meaningful personal life.
Through coaching, mentoring or online training programmes, I offer you the tools you need to be your best.
Would you like practical tools to:
- Develop your mental focus and find a state of flow?
- Say no to distractions and use your time well?
- Know you are making good decisions and prioritising the right choices?
I can help you find and follow your own “North Star”, navigate the line between high standards and toxic perfectionism, become the leader you deserve to be – and have energy to enjoy your weekend
I can help you evaluate priorities, manage your time & energy,
build leadership confidence,
overcome “imposter” feelings.
Customisable Coaching Packages
How can coaching help you?
Gold level coaching package, such as Cultivating Core Leadership,
The comprehensive, gold level packages weave deep training and transformational coaching. They build you and your skill sets. Over the programme you establish the foundations of self-knowledge (eg around needs and values) and leadership styles. You learn to recognise when you need to show up with vision and direction or the times a more nurturing leader is needed to create a safe space for your team to develop – and more importantly, how to do that with grace and impact.
As you develop yourself, invest in:
-
- Deep self-care: Stay energized and balanced as you juggle multiple priorities.
- Discover what drives you: Create clarity on what motivates and inspires you.
- Efficacy and prioritization: Focus on what matters most while avoiding burnout
On top of these foundations, you’ll gain new skills in:
- Building resilience: Understand what you need to show up sustainably.
- Understand your strengths: What are you really good at?
- Leadership presence: Feel confident in your role, even if you’re naturally introverted.
Flexible and Tailored for You
Typically, this package includes 12 sessions spread over 3 to 6 months. While 12 isn’t a “magic number”, it’s enough time to dig deep into your challenges, lay solid foundations for sustainable growth and start building upward with confidence and clarity.
Whether you’re tackling professional challenges, personal growth, or both, we’ll adapt the package to meet your needs.
Want elements of mentoring or additional training? No problem—this is bespoke coaching, built around you.
The most popular themes raised by my clients include:
- Doing less, better
- Cultivating core leadership skills and
- Overcoming imposter feelings.
What interests you the most?
Looking for a Lighter option?
When you need a lighter touch, say to help you navigate a job application or make an important decision – then my Essential Accountability option can briefly bridge the gap.
Book a call with Margaret
Arrange a simple, no obligation conversation. Let’s talk soon!
I work one to one and in groups, in live sessions and online programmes.
Would you like to find out more?
Why work with me?
The good news? You can step forward and lead—with quiet confidence, authentic presence and purpose.
Together we’ll take back control of your overwhelming schedule by:
- Prioritizing what truly matters.
- Delegating effectively.
- Managing your energy for sustainable success.
Yes, there may be days when your Inner Critic whispers that you’re not good enough. You might question whether to work harder – or quit while you’re ahead but it doesn’t have to be this way.
Working together, we’ll develop:
- A clear sense of purpose to guide your decisions.
- The tools and strategies to bring your unique skills to the world.
- A calm confidence, greater courage and integrity to align with who you truly are.
For Early-Career Researchers
Starting your academic career can feel like stepping into a whirlwind. You’re focused on your research and feel the pressure to publish, build your reputation while somehow finding time to figure out who you are as a leader.
It sometimes feels like other people have this sorted while you…
- You spend all day working hard but your to-do list never gets any shorter.
- You know you need to “network,” but self-promotion feels uncomfortable.
- You wonder if you’re ready to supervise students or step into leadership roles.
New Leadership Accelerator
Here’s the thing: you’re not alone and you don’t need to feel stuck. Together, we can:
- Map out a clear plan to balance your research with personal priorities.
- Build leadership skills so you feel prepared to step into new roles.
- Learn how to communicate your value and build connections while feeling more authentic.
Your career is just beginning and with the right support, you can start strong and build something extraordinary.
Help yourself!
I’ve created some free resources to get you started.
Am I an Imposter?
This free ebook has 10 simple questions to help you to self-assess how you are affected by imposter feelings and behaviours.
I reveal three simple and effective first steps to outgrow your imposter today.
There is a part of you that knows you can move beyond imposter feelings…
5 Leadership Styles for Supervisors and Managers…
I believe that leadership skills can be learned and have different effects when used in different contexts.
In this book you’ll explore the pros and cons of 5 different leadership styles:
- Autocratic
- Laissez-faire
- Democratic
- Bureaucratic
- Transformational.
I share practical insights to help you get better results at the different stages of your project, with new and with more experienced members of your team
How to create more time…
This ebook reveals the real reason things get done – or not. Learn:
- The art of choosing priorities
- How action comes before motivation
- How setting tight deadlines can be key
- Why permission to take a break can be motivating.
To get different results you need to take different actions… start with a decision to do something different today.
Previous coaching clients have said:
I am getting work things done faster with greater motivation and lightness – get it done and move on.
It’s an attitude and skill I have admired in others for a very long time but always felt at a loss as how to emulate it.
It was a pleasure to meet you last week – I really enjoyed the session. I have been recommending you to my colleagues non-stop, describing you (if you don’t mind) as exactly “the small gin & tonic” I needed! I really did get a lot out of it!
Other Ways to Work with Margaret
On-Demand, Online Masterclasses
I understand. You’re busy. You need the flexibility to access training on your own terms.
I have created online, on-demand masterclasses.
And of course, you can ask me questions.
Book a call with Margaret
Arrange a simple, no obligation conversation.
Every person is different, their situations unique. If you’d like to explore what could be possible for you, use the online form to arrange an appointment.
Let’s talk soon!
Online: Imposter Syndrome Sources & Solutions
This four-module programme provides insight and practical tools for women who want to understand and move beyond imposter syndrome feelings and finally tame their inner critic.
Buy the Book: "Beyond Imposter Syndrome"
Amazon Best Seller
Strategies for building confidence and finally feeling good enough.
I wanted to say THANK YOU! Reflecting on your comments about energy management (and not answering emails first thing in the morning) has revolutionised my productivity!
Understanding why I was procrastinating (task too big/ doing the wrong task for my energy) has totally changed my entire perspective and I feel so much more effective for it!
I just wanted to let you know that this course was absolutely fantastic. Margaret is a superb course leader and it was without doubt the best course I’ve ever been on. I learned:
– Don’t let your inner critic rule
– Be brave, be courageous
– Learn to recognise why you feel like this, how to change your beliefs or actions.
I’d definitely recommend the session.
I came to the workshop with a deep fear of public speaking but left wanting to conquer that fear and perhaps even enjoy the experience in the future. Your calm demeanour and sound advice will, I hope, stay with me and inspire me, not only when called upon to give a presentation but also in day to day life. I really didn’t expect to have so much fun and to come away having thoroughly enjoyed the day!