How to Lead, Doing Less, Better
Rushing from one task, one meeting to the next.
At work, at home, someone always wanting more…
It feels like you’re always playing catch-up.
I’m Dr Margaret Collins and I can help you do less, better.
I know you’re busy.
You’re good at your job, respected by colleagues and yet you feel it’s both not enough and it’s all too much.
We want to do good work, to lead our teams well and have a life we love.
Instead we often find we’re wondering:
- Am I good enough for this?
- If I find the time and energy, do I even really want this?
- Can I be committed to my career and get to have a life I love?
When it comes to leadership, it’s not like you see many role models you like! You don’t want to be over-confident or arrogant but it’s all 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 your team with confidence and enjoy a better life.
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.
I offer coaching, mentoring or online training programmes to provide you with the tools you need to be your best.
I can help you evaluate priorities, manage your time & energy,
build leadership confidence,
overcome “imposter” feelings.
Online training:
Core Leadership: Essentials: an excellent starting point or try recorded versions of my most popular workshops on the Solutions Hub, for example:
Coaching and Mentoring:
Core Leadership programme: Join and include a coaching option – enjoy deeper learning with the benefit of a coach and mentor at your side.
Essential Accountability coaching is also available if you don’t need the leadership development programme.
Get to know me better:
Read my work.
I have many free resources you can download or buy a copy of my book:
Beyond Imposter Feelings.
How Can Coaching Help?
Take the time to hear yourself think
The biggest benefit is the time to think and hear yourself say it out loud.
Yes, I add information, discuss models and teach tools.
You learn to recognise when you need to show up with vision and direction or when 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: What influences your choices or guides your decisions, what inspires you.
- Efficacy and prioritization: Focus on what matters most while avoiding burnout.
This leadership isn’t about job titles or even managing teams. It begins with how we lead ourselves, the every day choices we make about how to respond, where to focus or what kind of energy we bring. That’s self-leadership: the mindful awareness that I am taking a stand, I am making a choice.
Flexible and Tailored for You
Typically, a “Gold level” 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. You can work with your coach as long as you need to.
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 in online programmes designed for busy researchers, academics and professionals.
Why work with me?
I’ve been that senior Academic and know 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…
- Spend all day working hard but your to-do list never gets any shorter.
- Know you need to “network,” but self-promotion feels uncomfortable.
- Wonder if you’re ready to supervise students or step into leadership roles.
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.
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!
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.
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. When 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!