Our 10QUESTIONS feature asks members of the Freshfield community ten questions about their working life. Featuring client partners, colleagues and FF friends, our guests share some personal stories, views and fresh words of wisdom.

Our latest guest is Caroline Newns, a consultant and executive coach to business leaders and decision makers across a wide variety of sectors, both in the UK and internationally. She’s also a director of a large homeless charity. She has two sons and lives in Lancaster.

How do you like to start your working day?

I always give thanks for the blessing of another day then I have a quick look at what’s happened in the world overnight.  I have family overseas and many clients, especially in the Middle East, who’ve become genuine friends over the years. I’m currently checking in with them first given the current global climate. Then it’s straight onto the first of many coffees.

Where and how do you come up with your best ideas?

I’m so pleased to live next to Williamson Park in Lancaster, with Bowland on the doorstep and the Lake District in easy reach. Most of my ideas surface when I’m walking outdoors, often sparked by a recent conversation or something I’ve read or listened to.

I’ve run my own consultancy practice for a long time and I genuinely love what I do. Helping clients to unlock their own ideas, especially when I’m facilitating a strategy day or a leadership session, is a great way to keep an active and agile mind.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

To remember that most people are, at heart, self-interested. That might sound cynical, but I see it more as human nature rather than selfishness: people trying to find their place in a busy, complicated world.

When I coach clients, I’m keen to create space for them to open up about anxieties and insecurities, as well as reflecting and building on their successes.

What does leadership mean to you?

The demands on leaders have never been greater, and I feel very privileged to work alongside some exceptional leaders and their teams.

I don’t believe there’s a one-size-fits-all, but the best leaders I see tend to share a few things: curiosity, openness, a genuine interest in how people think and behave, and the courage to tackle difficult issues head-on, rather than sidestepping them.

What’s your top tip for achieving a work-life balance?

Reflecting on my own outlook, I doubt there’s a single definition of “balance”.  It’s different for everyone and it changes over time. But if I had one tip, it would be this: be brave enough to press pause.

Most of us know when things are out of sync. That’s the moment to stop and find someone you trust (a relative, friend, colleague or coach) who can help you to re-evaluate and then change how you want things to look.

Which current or historical business figure do you most admire and why?

Beatrix Potter is high on my list.

While she’s best known for writing and illustrating children’s books, her business acumen was remarkable. A natural scientist, lobbyist, conservationist, landowner and benefactress, she never allowed the prejudice of the time to thwart her entrepreneurial spirit.

What is your most trusted source of news?

I don’t rely on any single source as it feels more important than ever to understand different perspectives and to be aware of bias and spin. There are, however, a few journalists and commentators I follow, including Christiane Amanpour, Ros Atkins and Katty Kay.

What is your favourite brand and why?

This will come as no surprise to anyone who knows me, it’s Elizabeth Arden, and specifically ‘Red Door’ which has been my signature perfume for years. I adore the scent, and it lasts right throughout the day and evening which is a bonus.

What’s the most recent new skill you have learnt?

I’ve started learning Portuguese and let’s just say it’s a work in progress. I was told that with some Spanish under my belt, it would be a doddle though I beg to differ!

We all use them…what management jargon phrase do you use the most?

“Let’s just take a step back” is probably my most-used and, to be fair, I do mean it. As long as jargon isn’t used to bamboozle or belittle, I’m relaxed and often amused by the way language in the workplace is changing.