In 2024, a disgruntled CIA hacker leaked 34 terabytes of secrets to WikiLeaks.

He wasn’t paid. He wasn’t blackmailed.He was angry.He felt slighted, unheard, and disrespected.

👉 And like many employees—he didn’t leave his emotions at the door.He took them with him. And they exploded.

This isn’t just a spy story—it’s a lesson.

👉 Emotions don’t stay behind when we log off.👉 Resentment, frustration, shame—these are organisational risks.👉 Ignoring them isn’t neutral. It’s dangerous.

✅ Good organisations feel good to work in.✅ Strategy succeeds when it resonates emotionally.✅ Emotional insight = better decisions, better relationships, better results.

So ask yourself:

– What emotions dominate your team right now?– What signals are you ignoring?– How much of your own leadership style is shaped by old emotional patterns?

Emotions are not a distraction from business. They are the business.

If this resonates, drop a comment—or share with someone navigating the emotional undercurrent of leadership.

🧠 I’ve been using Magic Mind to support mental clarity during high-focus work, like writing my next book. No crashes. No jittery caffeine highs. Just calm, sustained focus.It’s now part of my broader mental wealth toolkit.

If you’re ready to boost your focus and clarity, Magic Mind are offering listeners of this podcast a discount. You have a limited offer you can use now, that gets you up to 48% off your first subscription or 20% off one time purchases with code: MICHAELDRAYTON20 at checkout

Who’s most at risk? ✔️ Conscientious perfectionists ✔️ People pleasers ✔️ Hard workers who care deeply3 Quick fixes for burnout prevention: ✅ What Went Well? – List 3 small wins daily. This shifts your focus from stress to progress. ✅ Switch Off After Work – Checking emails at midnight? That’s not dedication—it’s a fast track to exhaustion. ✅ Breathe Like This – Inhale, take a second sip of air, then exhale slowly (Dr. Andrew Huberman’s technique). Instant stress relief.People can endure almost any 'how'—if they have a strong 'why.' Find meaning in your work, and burnout loses its grip.

If you’re ready to boost your focus and clarity, Magic Mind has a 45% off trial for you.

Here is the code: https://www.magicmind.com/MICHAELDRAYTON20

💭 Feeling the winter slump? You're not alone.

It’s that time of year—cold, dark, and the fun of Christmas feels like a distant memory. The work is piling up, and each day feels like a slog. I wonder if you’re feeling it too?

I certainly am. My next book, The Emotional Life of Organisations, is due soon, my coaching calendar is full, and I’ve been teetering on the edge of feeling overwhelmed. That hamster-wheel feeling—lots of effort, not much progress.

A few weeks ago, I noticed the warning signs:❌ Poor sleep❌ Struggling to focus❌ Constant busyness, but not much impact

Sound familiar?

This got me thinking about mental wealth—not just mental health, but the psychological resources we build to stay at our best. Think of it like a pension plan for your mind—something you invest in consistently to perform well, even in tough times.

👉 Here’s the framework I use with my coaching clients to build mental wealth:

🔹 Sleep – The foundation of everything. If you’re sleep-deprived, your brain is, too.🔹 Diet – Your brain needs fuel, not just calories. Good food = better focus.🔹 Exercise – A 20-minute walk can reset your mind and improve clarity.🔹 Stress Management – Chronic stress shrinks the part of your brain responsible for problem-solving. Managing it is not a luxury—it’s essential.🔹 Exogenous Compounds – Tools like adaptogens or nootropics can help, but they support good habits, not replace them.

Lately, I’ve been testing a nootropic called Magic Mind—a mental focus shot that’s helped me stay sharp while writing. It’s been surprisingly effective, especially alongside other mental wealth practices.

But beyond habits and supplements, mental wealth also depends on energy—four types of it:💡 Physical Energy – Your body fuels your brain. Movement, light, and breaks matter.❤️ Emotional Energy – Strong relationships are a greater predictor of long-term health than cholesterol levels.🧠 Cognitive Energy – Deep, focused work is where real value is created—yet distractions steal it away.🌍 Spiritual Energy – A sense of purpose fuels resilience. Viktor Frankl discovered this in Auschwitz: meaning, not pleasure, is what sustains us.

Building mental wealth isn't about perfection. It’s about layering small, intentional habits over time. Start with one thing—maybe it’s a daily walk, maybe it’s trying Magic Mind, or maybe it’s a reflection exercise.

These little steps compound over time to create a mental wealth that sustains you.

If you’re ready to boost your focus and clarity, Magic Mind has a 45% off trial for you.

Here is the code: https://www.magicmind.com/MICHAELDRAYTONJAN