MILES AHEAD…

I’ve spent years trying to figure out how to lead better. And helping others do the same.
Here I share what I’ve learned so far: honest insights, thoughtful questions, and a few useful scars from the road.
No fluff. Just a little something to keep you one step ahead: Miles Ahead.

All are written to spark reflection and offer something useful as you navigate your own path. Dip in. Take what resonates. And if something stirs a thought, I’d love to hear from you. Book a free discovery session.

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Miles Murphy 10/23/25 Miles Murphy 10/23/25

“The unexamined life is not worth living”

Over the years, I thought I had it pretty sussed.

Miles Murphy 10/21/25 Miles Murphy 10/21/25

Most people have the annual rhythm of the changing seasons.

I have a six-month one: the rhythm of changing countries.

Miles Murphy 10/16/25 Miles Murphy 10/16/25

Advertising’s 1984 moment

In 1984, Steve Jobs sent a clarion call to the staid computer industry.

Miles Murphy 10/14/25 Miles Murphy 10/14/25

It felt like a mountain spring that wouldn’t stop

For six months since I started posting regularly here, the ideas and words just flowed.

Miles Murphy 10/8/25 Miles Murphy 10/8/25

This Friday is World Mental Health Day

Our agency takes the day off to highlight the importance of this

Miles Murphy 10/7/25 Miles Murphy 10/7/25

I thought it was my last gig.

Last year when I ‘retired’ at 59, at first it really did feel like the end of the story.

Miles Murphy 10/2/25 Miles Murphy 10/2/25

“They should just f#@$ing do their work.”

I heard a leader say this and it shocked me.

Miles Murphy 9/30/25 Miles Murphy 9/30/25

Anxious attachment

If your client treats you like you’re disposable, chances are… you’ve taught them to.

Miles Murphy 9/25/25 Miles Murphy 9/25/25

Another big milestone in my coaching journey

I’m thrilled to share that I’ve completed completed my post-graduate Professional Certificate in Executive Coaching from Henley Business School.

Miles Murphy 9/23/25 Miles Murphy 9/23/25

I’ve been thinking about Seamus Heaney’s poem Scaffolding lately

And not because I have a building project on the go.

Miles Murphy 9/18/25 Miles Murphy 9/18/25

How we landed one of our biggest clients?

Not through cold calls, proactive pitches, PR, or schmoozing.

Miles Murphy 9/16/25 Miles Murphy 9/16/25

‘Nepo babies’

Miles Murphy 9/11/25 Miles Murphy 9/11/25

It sounded too grim and worthy for my taste.

But my taste is not everyone’s.

Miles Murphy 9/9/25 Miles Murphy 9/9/25

For years, I prided myself on being a multitasking leader.

And I was good at it. Too good.

Miles Murphy 9/4/25 Miles Murphy 9/4/25

Coming off cancer opioids

It’s a milestone I didn’t expect to feel so deeply.

Miles Murphy 8/28/25 Miles Murphy 8/28/25

Here in the Algarve, my garden is teaching me.

I can water the lettuces every morning, make sure the fig trees have good soil and sun, and stop the mint from overgrowing the oregano.

Miles Murphy 8/26/25 Miles Murphy 8/26/25

If I see one more rant on LinkedIn…

about how p#ssed off people are on seeing a flood of bland and copycat supposedly ai-generated posts, I will go crazy.

Miles Murphy 8/21/25 Miles Murphy 8/21/25

"Hi there, loved your last post but thought I'd give you a heads up there's a spelling mistake in it. Best"

When that DM landed, my first reaction was mild embarrassment. A small spelling mistake. Fixed in seconds. No big deal.

Miles Murphy 8/19/25 Miles Murphy 8/19/25

“The best agency account manager ever? 6am. Coffee. Croissant. Everyday.”

That was the opening line from the CMO briefing for one of the biggest public tenders I’d ever attended.

Miles Murphy 8/15/25 Miles Murphy 8/15/25

This is what real AI innovation looks like.

And it’s not what most agencies are doing.