The Leader's Diagnostic
Insights
Founder-facing thinking on clarity, priorities and leadership from David Peters — the practical ideas behind The Leader's Diagnostic.
Why does my business still depend on me so much?
Why difficult decisions, problems and customers still end up on the founder's desk long after the business has grown — and the better question to ask than simply telling the founder to let go.
Why is revenue growing but profit is not?
Growth brings cost and complexity with it — why rising revenue doesn't always mean a stronger business, and what's worth understanding before asking the business to grow any faster.
How do you know what to fix first in a growing business?
Growing businesses present several problems at once — why action isn't always what's needed first, and the questions that help decide what actually matters now.
The problem you can see may not be the problem you need to solve
Problems have a habit of showing up in one part of a business even when they started somewhere else — why the same issue keeps returning, and where to look beyond the obvious explanation.
The 3-step sales pipeline purge that sales people will thank you for… eventually
A 3-step plan for a consistent, reliable sales pipeline review — who's really a prospect, who you're really talking to, and a shared qualification method everyone can use.
Are your sales taking too long to close? Check on your confidence levels.
A workshop story about the trap of being a deferential service company — and why the confidence to ask for a commitment before you invest time and expertise can make all the difference.
The one change to prioritise above all others
The Eisenhower Matrix, and why a simple urgent/important tool is still one of the clearest ways to decide what in your business actually deserves your attention.
The Power of Effective Leadership: Inspiring Your Team to Success
Leadership isn't a title, it's earned trust and consistency over time — on setting a path worth following and being the person your team can rely on.
Getting through tough times
When leadership feels lonely and the going gets tough, a handful of ways to inject realism and perspective — from time-travelling forward and back to finding an uninvolved listener.
Senior Hires: 5 Considerations To Avoid Future Misery
The top 5 pitfalls to consider before hiring a senior leader into an SME — culture fit, cost, disruption, the saviour complex, and the zeal to fix everything at once.
Client-Centric Strategies for SME Growth: Winning and Retaining Customers
Businesses that prioritise their clients are the ones that thrive — a look at what a genuinely client-centric strategy requires, and the internal decisions that reveal whether you have one.
Financial Agility: Thriving Amidst Economic Challenges
Financial agility means being prepared for whatever comes — careful with cash reserves, nimble, and adaptable, so a business can not only weather economic challenges but thrive when markets are down.
Financial Management for SMEs: Tips for Sustainable Growth
Sound financial management is the foundation sustainable growth is built on — clarity on the numbers, disciplined cash flow, and pricing as a profitability lever, not an afterthought.