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I’m in this business for:
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Profile | Sam Leader
Sam Leader
After Sam left Bristol Uni in 1996, she got a Proper Job and was very unimpressed with it. In 1998, she upped sticks and moved to Sydney. Shortly after, Sam began her career as a soloist. For the next few years she ran a copywriting and editing business, My Word, which she adored as it not only financed her Tim Tam habit, it also enabled her to work in her pyjamas.
In 2001 she met Robert Gerrish, who invited her to contribute to his Flying Solo newsletter. Next they collaborated on a book, Flying Solo - How to go it alone in business. Sam has now fulfilled her lifelong ambition of becoming a published author and has high hopes of retiring on the royalties. In the meantime she is the editor of Flying Solo.
Sam lives in northern New South Wales with her partner John-Paul and their daughters, Amy and Eleanor.
Articles by Sam
"Time for a change around here."
31 Jan 12Sam LeaderIf you feel hungry for a change within your current solo venture, it could be time for a radical reassessment of your strengths. Here’s how it’s worked for me. Read more
Comments: 9The resolution solution
03 Jan 12Sam Leader80% of resolutions are broken within a month, or so we’re told. How do you go about making sticky resolutions? Here’s my solution. Read more
Comments: 7How (and how not) to dump your clients
29 Nov 11Sam LeaderThere’s plenty of help for you if you need to get clients. But what about when you need to fire your clients? Here’s what I think. Read more
Comments: 7How filling my beanbag can help your business
01 Nov 11Sam LeaderWhen I grow up, I’m getting a proper sofa. In the meantime, I like to lounge on beanbags. Sit back and relax as I draw a surprising business analogy. Read more
Comments: 10Celebrity as testimonial
04 Oct 11Sam LeaderI’ve been pondering how these days, many people equate media exposure with credibility. So if you’ve been on telly, you must be good, is that right? Read more
Comments: 30Why your heart should rule your head
06 Sep 11Sam LeaderWhat if I were to tell you that you had, at your disposal, an amazing decision making tool that can help private and professional relationships flourish? Well, you do. It’s your intuition or inner voice. Read more
Comments: 14Help! I need somebody.
09 Aug 11Sam LeaderSmart businesses understand that helping others can be the key to ensuring prosperity and happiness. So what help do you need and are you good at asking for help? Read more
Comments: 21Why perfection sucks
11 Jul 11Sam LeaderThe following negative ways of thinking are frequently observed in unhappy people, according to cognitive psychologists. Do any of these sound familiar? Read more
Comments: 44Soloism: was it contrary for you, too?
14 Jun 11Sam LeaderI’d always known I wanted to work for myself, but it took me over a decade of dithering before I finally took the plunge. Even then, I felt like I was challenging convention. Read more
Comments: 37When sweetness is a weakness
17 May 11Sam LeaderAs a soloist, it’s not enough to be good at what you do, you also have to be a competent business person. But what if you have acres of talent but few business smarts? Read more
Comments: 47The lost art of conversation
19 Apr 11Sam LeaderMeeting people should be a pleasure, but there’s surely no denying, it can become a chore. So how do we make it fun again? Read more
Comments: 33Job titles: Who do you think YOU are?
22 Mar 11Sam LeaderA recent experience made me appreciate how important our job titles are to the outside world. This makes me cranky as. Read more
Comments: 88Expert credentials: What makes you the expert?
22 Feb 11Sam LeaderWe live in a world full of people purporting to have expert credentials. So how can you tell the difference between fly by nights and the real deal? Read more
Comments: 46Resolutions: A slacker’s guide to giving up
25 Jan 11Sam LeaderAm I the only one who gets bored of talk of resolutions by about 3 January? If, like me, talk of ‘should’ brings out the rebel in you, read on. Read more
Comments: 20Annus horribilis or a total stormer? It’s time for a business review.
21 Dec 10Sam LeaderBefore we know it, 2011 will be upon as and we’ll be in full-on planning mode. But what about the year that was? It's time for a business review. Read more
Comments: 10Keeping healthy: Under the covers boss
16 Nov 10Sam LeaderI’m all for positive thinking, but a nasty brush with a mystery bug got me wondering: how can I fake it til I make it if I can’t make it out of bed? Here’s my solution to keeping healthy. Read more
Comments: 39The most creative people I know
19 Oct 10Sam LeaderWriters, designers, actors, artists… they are all deemed ‘creative’. But creativity isn’t the preserve of talented individuals. For soloists, it’s a way of life. Read more
Comments: 15The Good Life Crisis
21 Sep 10Sam LeaderWas a serious event the catalyst for your solo journey? Mine was. But maybe it doesn’t have to be that way. Read more
Comments: 31The things people say...
26 Aug 10Sam LeaderG’day all. Sam here. I’ve been charged with writing the next “Come-to-Flying-Solo-LIVE!-on-Wednesday-15-September” advertorial thingy. Read more
Comments: 2The art of writing articles
24 Aug 10Sam LeaderWriting articles and getting published is a powerful way to promote your expertise, and your business. Here’s some advice on making your read a good one. Read more
Comments: 20Listening before you leap
27 Jul 10Sam Leader“Not like that! I’ll show you how to do it” is one of my daughter’s favourite sayings. She’s two and a half years old. Problem is, I think Amy’s desire to be in the right is inherited. Read more
Comments: 20In pursuit of precious boredom
06 Jul 10Sam LeaderWhen I heard myself say “I’ve deleted that newspaper” I got worried. Should I pull the plug for a bit? Read more
Comments: 18Small is the new big
15 Jun 10Sam LeaderWhenever I’ve seen soloists tout their business in an overly corporate style, it’s made me want to weep. But never more so than now. Here’s why. Read more
Comments: 27Work life harmony: I want to get off!
25 May 10Sam LeaderI used to be so good at work life harmony. I committed myself to tasks with a relaxed yet dedicated fashion and was productive and happy. Then that all changed. Read more
Comments: 32Is honesty the best policy?
04 May 10Sam LeaderRecently, I lost a bet and as a result had to be absolutely honest with everyone for a week. It’s been a no bull, no lies and, arguably, no tact time. So how did I go? Is honesty the best policy? Read more
Comments: 26Do you have a comfortable work environment?
12 Apr 10Sam LeaderOur surroundings have a real effect on our motivation and productivity. Does your work environment make you smile? Here are some ideas to help keep you whistling while you work. Read more
Comments: 10A formula for happiness?
22 Mar 10Sam LeaderMany of you will know I love a good survey, and the ones that make me happiest are the ones about happiness. Check out my discoveries about the formula for happiness. Read more
Comments: 14The energy equation
02 Mar 10Sam LeaderThe big end of town have long claimed that you have to spend money to make money. I’ve come to realise the same is true with energy. Here’s what I’ve learned about the energy equation. Read more
Comments: 15Happiness is hard work
08 Feb 10Sam LeaderWe know from our 2008 survey Understanding Micro Business that soloists are a sunny bunch with average happiness levels rated as 8 out of 10. Read more
Comments: 25Six degrees of connection
18 Jan 10Sam LeaderOccasionally you’ll be exposed to some thinking that you then can’t shake from your mind. This happened to me whilst listening to a program on good old ABC radio recently discussing degrees of connection. See what you make of it. Read more
Comments: 24The best small business articles of 2009
21 Dec 09Sam LeaderIt’s the time of year for me to cast my eye over 2009’s small business articles and select a handful for the best. We’ve seen some crackers in 2009 … here are a few of my favourites. Read more
Comments: 3Taking time out: Give yourself a break
30 Nov 09Sam LeaderI strongly believe every soloist should have a plan for taking time out from their business. Now is the ideal time to work out how you’ll get time out this year. Here are some tips that may help. Read more
Comments: 16Poor customer service: Being treated like a criminal
09 Nov 09Sam LeaderHands up who likes getting told off? I’ve had a number of interactions with businesses that have made me feel like a naughty child, and this is very poor customer service. Read more
Comments: 38Coping with chaos: A moving story
19 Oct 09Sam LeaderBefore embarking on the journey, I wondered why moving is said to be one of the most stressful things you can do. Shove a few things in boxes, put them on a truck - how hard can it be? Read more
Comments: 42Increasing self awareness by sharing faults
28 Sep 09Sam LeaderIncreasing self awareness is one of my key themes and this week I explore it further by asking you to share the dark side of your personality. Read more
Comments: 53Giving feedback: Being specific with praise
07 Sep 09Sam LeaderI’m at a time of life where I’m reading a lot about ensuring you have a healthy relationship with your kids. And guess what? I’ve found a useful lesson for business when giving feedback. Read more
Comments: 18The twouble with using Twitter
17 Aug 09Sam LeaderAs a Gen Xer I get stuck in the middle a lot. Too old for acne, too young for wrinkles; too old for MySpace, too young for games of bridge– you get the picture. Then along came Twitter. Read more
Comments: 58Big Picture Thinking – friend or foe?
27 Jul 09Sam LeaderMany experts tell you that the best way to achieve a goal is by using big picture thinking - to imagine how life looks and feels once you’ve reached it. Read more
Comments: 32Taking work home
07 Jul 09Sam LeaderI can, indeed sometimes do, share all sorts of intimate details in these articles safe in the knowledge that my partner of 15 years would never, ever read them. I’m hoping you do, though. Read more
Comments: 31The Proper Job – do you miss it?
15 Jun 09Sam LeaderRecently, I met up with two friends, both of whom have secured excellent jobs. Their eyes shone excitedly as they told me about their new roles and I succumbed to an unfamiliar emotion… jealousy. Read more
Comments: 58Bad business ethics or just business?
25 May 09Sam LeaderRegular readers will know I’m something of a customer service freak. My most recent experience has got me thinking about business ethics. Read more
Comments: 82Procrastination tips: A little less conversation
05 May 09Sam LeaderProcrastination, like time management, is an old chestnut, isn’t it? But I’ve had a revelation in the procrastination tips department recently so please excuse me while I revisit this clichéd subject. Read more
Comments: 31Starting your own business: Jumped or pushed?
14 Apr 09Sam LeaderStarting your own business doesn’t always begin with a well planned jump. Mine began with a firm push, courtesy of my last boss, who was in fact the last boss I had, or will ever have with any luck. Read more
Comments: 39Run your own business: There are no downsides
23 Mar 09Sam LeaderI realised how lucky soloists are when having a conversation with a friend who couldn’t decide whether or not to leave her job to run her own business. Read more
Comments: 30Achieving your goals: The energy paradox
02 Mar 09Sam LeaderConventional wisdom states single mindedness, focus and determination will help you with achieving your goals and fixing problems. But what if trying too hard proves counterproductive? Read more
Comments: 41Domestic chores: The beauty in the duty
09 Feb 09Sam LeaderAs soloists, we spend our lives juggling balls and wearing lots of hats. Then there’s the minutiae of everyday life that won’t go away - domestic chores. Read more
Comments: 50Breakthrough thoughts: Listen to yourself
19 Jan 09Sam LeaderWhile a majority of our inner dialogue is relatively trivial, we all have breakthrough thoughts that cut through the minutiae, snap us to attention and get us to act. Now is the ideal time to take note and take action. Read more
Comments: 24Small business articles: Best of 2008
22 Dec 08Sam LeaderPeople often ask me “What are your favourite small business articles on Flying Solo?” Okay, people never ask me that, but if they did, here’s what I’d say. Read more
Comments: 3Examples of bad customer service
01 Dec 08Sam LeaderIn the course of planning a tree change, I’ve been reminded of some classic no-no’s in the area of customer service. I can’t believe bad customer service still goes on. See what you think. Read more
Comments: 53Decluttering: Take it away!
10 Nov 08Sam LeaderThe FS gang attended a conference which attracted the finest minds working in the online industry. Naturally we were way out of our depth. Joking aside, one thing I took away has had a profound impact on how I work - the importance of decluttering. Read more
Comments: 27Interview with Don Angel, World Wide Business Group
06 Nov 08Sam LeaderThe ABC has been following small businessman Don Angel's exploits via the hit TV show Very Small Business. We sat down with Don to gather his unique insights on running a small business. Read more
Comments: 8Think smart: What does it really mean?
20 Oct 08Sam LeaderYou lot are full of wisdom and insights. Just last week, Jenny from Melbourne raised some excellent points about the term ‘think smart’. Read more
Comments: 22Business wisdom from Flying Solo LIVE!
29 Sep 08Sam LeaderBefore our recent live event, I spent my time fretting about mechanics. Will everyone show? Will the audience be able to hear? What flavour are the mini gelato cones? After all we’re forever told it’s the small stuff that matters. Read more
Comments: 8Why word of mouth advertising matters
08 Sep 08Sam LeaderIt’s easy to think of word-of-mouth advertising as being feel-good marketing, but thanks to my contrasting experiences at two international airports, I can report that feel-bad also has its place. Read more
Comments: 26Being aware of your weaknesses
18 Aug 08Sam LeaderMarketing 101 states you need to emphasise your strengths to your clients. At one stage or another, you’ll have asked yourself “What am I really good at? What’s my USP? How do I stand out from the competition?” Read more
Comments: 34Flexible working arrangements
28 Jul 08Sam LeaderOne of the things I love about being a soloist is the flexibility. I’m not alone in this, obviously, but I was reminded recently about how important flexible working arrangements are to me. Read more
Comments: 23Being misunderstood
07 Jul 08Sam LeaderIf there’s one breed of person I have little time for, it’s so called shock jocks. These talk radio DJs earn fabulous sums by making provocative and often offensive comments… all in the name of entertainment. Read more
Comments: 12Flexible working hours: The end of weekends?
16 Jun 08Sam LeaderIn a slew of Friday emails to our lovely contributors, I signed off with ‘Have a great weekend.’ I have since realised it’s a bit of a silly thing to say to a soloist with our flexible working hours. Read more
Comments: 30Work satisfaction: You can keep your money
26 May 08Sam LeaderIn our Understanding Micro Business survey, we found average happiness levels ranked at 8/10, while satisfaction with income languished at 5/10. Read more
Comments: 24Business communication styles: mobile vs email
05 May 08Sam LeaderThere’s nothing like an article on mobile phone manners to get people stirred up. In this article I look at the mobile vs email debate. Which business communication style do you prefer? Read more
Comments: 41Self awareness: Do you know what you’re doing?
14 Apr 08Sam LeaderHowever self-aware you consider yourself to be, it’s surprisingly common to underestimate your effect on others. Here I discuss the importance of self awareness. Read more
Comments: 16Saying sorry: Knowing when to say sorry
24 Mar 08Sam LeaderLast year I wrote about the importance of apologising when you know you’re in the wrong. By saying sorry, you encourage feelings of goodwill and show you’re responsible for your actions. Read more
Comments: 28Making love and making money
03 Mar 08Sam LeaderUs writers delight in the use of analogies and what better subject to choose than love making and making money? Read more
Comments: 17Task management: Why I ditched the to do list
18 Feb 08Sam LeaderBefore becoming a mum, I was a prolific list writer and multi tasker. But now spare time is at a premium, these methods aren’t cutting the mustard. Here’s how I deal with task management now. Read more
Comments: 56Managing customer expectations
28 Jan 08Sam LeaderGood customer service is about managing customer expectations. My recent experience with a multinational cosmetics firm provides a textbook lesson on how not to treat your customers. Read more
Comments: 17Holding grudges: Time to give up the grudge
07 Jan 08Sam LeaderAre you holding grudges? With resolutions in place and a strong sense of optimism, now is the ideal time to make a conscious decision to give up a grudge. Read more
Comments: 23Gift giving: a selfless elf or last minute Dasher?
03 Dec 07Sam LeaderSoloists have lots to look forward to in December, with a well-deserved break on the cards for most of us. But it also has its stresses, many of them to do with gift giving. Read more
Comments: 16Why you need a business procedures manual
12 Nov 07Sam LeaderIf you’re ever intending to take extended leave from your work, step sideways into a different role or simply escape one set of tasks to concentrate on another, then read on to find out why you need a business procedures manual. Read more
Comments: 29Have confidence to start a new small business
22 Oct 07Sam LeaderMy newsletter addressing those who are thinking of starting a new small business generated some lively conversation. This time I thought I'd discuss the role confidence plays when you start a new small business. Read more
Comments: 24Thinking of starting a new small business?
01 Oct 07Sam LeaderWe know this newsletter’s readership includes a number of individuals who would love to fly solo, but aren’t. If you’re thinking of starting a new small business, then this one’s for you. Read more
Comments: 61Writing style guidelines
10 Sep 07Sam LeaderI’ve been working on some writing style guidelines designed to help our new contributors write their articles. I thought I’d share some highlights in the hope they’ll assist your own writing. Read more
Comments: 30What it means to be a good communicator
20 Aug 07Sam LeaderJudging by our recent poll results, we reckon we're very good communicators. 70% of respondents describe their ability to communicate as 'higher than average'. Read more
Comments: 25How to overcome boredom when working alone
30 Jul 07Sam LeaderWorking alone, means soloists need to know how to overcome boredom if their business is to prosper. Not being able to cope with being alone is one of the key reasons solo businesses fail, plus it puts people off going it alone in the first place. Read more
Comments: 25Typos and other errors: Dealing with mistakes
09 Jul 07Sam LeaderWith delightful regularity, we receive feedback from the solo community offering some form of praise for the work we do here at Flying Solo. Occasionally, though, we'll receive a comment dealing with mistakes where the karma isn't so good. Read more
Comments: 69Contentment: Being content with less
18 Jun 07Sam LeaderWhat are your views on contentment? Is it ok to aspire for me or should you be content with less? Read more
Comments: 23How to achieve goals
28 May 07Sam LeaderThis time last year I took a trip to Borneo, where I climbed south east Asia's largest mountain, Mount Kinabalu. I learned a great deal about how to achieve goals from the experience. Read more
Comments: 12Good customer service tips that work
07 May 07Sam LeaderIt's a marketing no brainer, but I was recently reminded of the remarkable effectiveness of good customer service. Read more
Comments: 14The importance of apologising
16 Apr 07Sam LeaderJohn-Paul and I got carried away at an auction recently and it reminded me about the importance of apologising. Luckily we weren't buying a house. Instead we were purchasing orchids. Read more
Comments: 29Dealing with your strengths and weaknesses
26 Mar 07Sam LeaderThere's nothing like running a solo business to ruthlessly expose our strengths and weaknesses. We try to juggle all the balls and wear all the hats, but inevitably we're good at some things, not at others. Read more
Comments: 24Putting your subconscious mind to work
06 Mar 07Sam LeaderRecently I became aware of the incredible impact of…well, being aware, and the role of the subconscious mind. Read more
Comments: 21Building confidence through positive feedback
22 Jan 07Sam LeaderA friend described to me recently how his 23 year old son turned a corner through receiving positive feedback when working in a computer shop. Read more
Comments: 19Writing websites: Do your words work?
25 Jul 06Sam LeaderHow many of your customers come to you as a result of your website? If the answer’s not many, perhaps it’s time to put the spotlight on your site’s content and look at the best way of writing websites. Read more
Comments: 3Small business credibility: You cannot be serious!
28 May 06Sam LeaderA majority of soloists admit they are concerned about their small business credibility. But before changing our ways to suit others, we should recognise the legitimacy of our chosen workstyle. Read more
Comments: 13Setting priorities: Looking after our ecosystems
09 Feb 06Sam LeaderIt's our duty as soloists to turn our back on today's work-obsessed culture. When setting priorities, we must ensure our work takes its rightful place alongside other priorities. When we suffer due to lack of balance, so of course does our business. Read more
Comments: 13Internet telephony: Does Skype live up to the hype?
02 Aug 05Sam LeaderWith 143 million downloads, Skype is the free Internet telephony service that has got everyone talking. Once you have it installed, Skype enables you to make free 'calls' from your computer. As you'll read it's well suited to us soloists. Read more
Comments: 15Internet browsers: Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox?
07 Jul 05Sam LeaderIn the battle of the internet browsers, will heavy hitter Internet Explorer win out or can open source Mozilla Firefox come up trumps? Read more
Comments: 10Six steps to creating a successful email newsletter
06 Jul 05Sam LeaderGood newsletters (or ezines) build reputations, plus they inform and attract customers. Best of all, they cost next to nothing. Read on for six steps to creating a successful email newsletter. Read more
Comments: 2Client communication skills: The Power of saying 'No'
05 Jul 05Sam LeaderOne of the most important client communication skills soloists need to master is the ability of saying ‘no’ to certain requests. Read more
Comments: 2Managing small business growth: Success is in the bag
05 Jul 05Sam LeaderDo you want to know more about managing small business growth? Ethan Nyholm, co-founder of digital luggage specialist STM (Standard Technical Merchandise), describes what it's like going from solo to small business. Read more
Comments: 0Join the community! It’s free.
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