“A negative emotion only lasts 90 seconds… if you let it.” — Mo Gawdat

“Responsibility is a privilege.” — Andy Heald

🔥 The Campfire Lesson That Changed How I Coach

This past weekend, I went camping with my children. It was one of those trips where the world slows down, where you can hear the wind in the trees and the silence between sentences.

There was no big workshop. No keynote presentation. Just moments around the fire, in the tent with my dad, and with friends I hadn’t seen in over a year.

And would you happen to know what I noticed?

I barely spoke at first. Instead, I listened. Properly listened.

Because every conversation — whether it was with a mate I hadn’t seen in 12 months or someone just venting about life — came back to one key idea: people want to feel safe to be themselves.

That’s psychological safety.

It doesn’t start in a boardroom. It starts under the stars.

🎓 From Tents to Teaching: The Culture Over Rules Model

I carried that same energy into the classroom this week.

I stood before my University Academy 92 (UA92) Business students and, instead of laying down the law — “No phones. No food. No hoods.” — I asked a question:

“What kind of culture do we want in this space?”

Together, we built something far more potent than rules: we built a cultural agreement. A network of expectations. An emotionally safe space to innovate, fail, and grow.

We used tools like:

• ✅ The Johari Window (for understanding how we show up)
• 🤝 Transactional Analysis (to encourage adult-to-adult communication)
• 🧠 The Four Stages of Competence (to normalise the learning process)

🚀 The EY Visit: Bringing Entrepreneurial Growth to Life

And then came a moment that really crystallised it all.

We had the absolute privilege of welcoming Ben Wildsmith and Sophia Szlachetko from EY into our classroom. Their session wasn’t just informative — it was transformational.

They introduced our students to EY’s 7 Drivers of Growth, a model rooted in insights from 12,500+ client workshops and 1,000+ companies.

But more than that, they told stories. Real stories. Stories about what it means to be an entrepreneur.

Here’s what stuck with me:

“Entrepreneurs create the market. They create the customer. They manage risk with vision, resilience, and purpose.”

I could see eyes widen in the room. Not because it was flashy, but because it was real. It tied directly into the work our students are doing:

• Writing their business plans
• Filming TikTok-style pitches
• Pitching live in a Dragons’ Den format

But most importantly, it permitted them to think differently.

🛠 Coaching Swiss Army Knives: Bethany, Phil, and the Reality of Modern Leadership

This same week, I coached two brilliant people: Bethany Jackson and Phil Stafford.

Different paths. Different challenges. But one shared truth: they’re Swiss Army Knives.

Sales, marketing, people, finance, strategy, mindset… life.

They’re doing everything — and that’s where the danger lies.

Because when you’re doing too many things, all at once, something gives. And often, that “something” is you.

Here’s what I told them, and what I’ll tell you:

“You can’t sharpen every tool at once.”

It’s a powerful phase of your journey. But it’s also the phase where burnout lurks.

The key is to:

• Stay above the line — Ownership, Accountability, Responsibility
• Avoid falling below the line — Blame, Excuses, Denial

And remember:

“Responsibility is a privilege. This moment of doing everything won’t last forever. But it will shape who you become.”

⏱ Mo Gawdat’s 90-Second Rule — And Why It Matters

One idea that echoed through all of these experiences was this:

“A negative emotion only lasts 90 seconds in the body — if you let it pass.”

That blew my mind.

Whether it’s pressure in leadership, fear before a pitch, frustration in a meeting, or being overwhelmed by wearing too many hats — it’s not the feeling that lasts. It’s the story we attach to it.

Here’s the method Mo shared — and I now use myself and with my students:

The Flowchart of Happiness:

1. Is it true?
2. Can I change it?
3. Can I accept it and move forward?

That’s not toxic positivity. That’s intentional leadership.

🧠 Why Self-Awareness Is Your Real Superpower

You can teach strategy. You can outsource operations. You can invest in marketing.

But you can’t skip self-awareness.

I believe:

“Self-awareness is the superpower that drives real, resilient leadership.”

Whether you’re teaching, building a business, leading a team, or coaching the next generation, the question is the same:

“Are you reacting… or are you choosing?”

🧭 Final Reflection: Leading with Gratitude, Not Just Grit

This week reminded me of something simple but often forgotten:

“You can be a Swiss Army Knife. But you don’t have to live like one.”

You’re allowed to pause. You’re allowed to ask for help. You’re allowed to breathe before you lead.

And above all else?

Be grateful for this season.

Because even if it’s chaotic, it’s teaching you. It’s building you. It’s showing you the leader you’re capable of becoming.

🙏 So take a moment, now.

Could you put the tools down?

Breathe. Be present. And remember…

“Responsibility is a privilege. Psychological safety is a choice. Leadership is how we show up — when no one’s watching.”

Thanks for reading. And thank you again to everyone — my students, colleagues, the EY team, and the people I’ve had the joy to coach this week.

You’ve all shaped this post. And shaped me a little more too.

Andy

---

P.S. If this post resonated, I’d love you to share it with someone who’s leading, juggling, or simply trying to keep it all going. This one’s for them.