Hello lovely people.
There’s been a few stories that have jumped out to us (and maybe to you too) over the past week. Some have left us uneasy and uncertain and we often find this can reflect how the wider population are also feeling and what they’re struggling with. The stories that capture public attention can reveal wider questions about identity, belonging, visibility, division and how we respond when the world feels increasingly complex.
This week, the team are exploring what happens when certainty becomes more appealing than curiosity, and what that means for our ability to lead, connect and stay human. Read on for some insights from each of us.
Clare
The tragic murder of 18-year-old Henry Nowak and the public reaction that followed has left us reflecting on how quickly complex events become reduced to opposing camps. Some have focused on questions of policing and fairness, while others have challenged that focus altogether.
What strikes me is how difficult we seem to find it, collectively, to remain in the ambiguity of a situation. Nuance disappears, binary thinking grows and people retreat further into positions they already hold.
At THC we like to ask:
- How do we encourage people to think more widely and understand opposing views, even when they disagree?
- How do we step outside our echo chambers and genuinely listen?
- What helps us stay curious when certainty feels more comfortable?
We believe courageous conversations and open-mindedness are essential if we are to bridge growing divisions.
Rox
As I write this, I find it hard to believe that in 2026 we are once again debating whether Pride should be visible in public spaces.
Reports that Essex libraries have been instructed not to promote LGBTQIA+ Pride events under the new Reform-led council feel uncomfortably reminiscent of Section 28. When identities are hidden away, silenced or treated as something that should not be discussed, shame often fills the space that visibility leaves behind.
Those who know me know I usually look for nuance. I rarely believe issues are as simple as they first appear. Yet I struggle to find the value in creating conditions where people feel they must hide parts of themselves. We know what happens when shame takes root. We have been here before.
Liz
Amidst the more difficult stories this week was one that made me smile and offered a glimmer of hope.
The City of London Corporation has chosen to maintain trans-inclusive access policies at Hampstead Heath's bathing ponds following a public consultation that received almost 40,000 responses, with over 85% supporting the existing arrangements.
What stood out to me was not just the outcome, but what it represented. Campaigners, swimmers and local residents were willing to publicly support inclusion and belonging for a community facing significant challenge and scrutiny.
It serves as a reminder that, despite an increasingly complex political and legal landscape, many people continue to value environments where others feel welcomed, respected and able to participate fully.
Holly
I just started watching Channel 4's Tiptoe, and one line has stayed with me since:
"I used to go into a room and say Ta-da! Now I tiptoe."
My heart ached at both the recognition of ongoing struggles and the reminder that bigotry, the denial of identities and the erasure of LGBTQ+ experiences are still very much present.
What struck me most was the image of tiptoeing through life; shrinking yourself, hiding parts of who you are and carefully managing how visible you can afford to be.
As Pride Month continues, I find myself holding two truths at once: the importance of continuing to challenge this reality, and deep respect for those who choose safety, peace and self-protection when the world does not always feel welcoming.
So…what does this mean for leadership?
While these reflections explore different stories, they point towards a shared challenge.
As human beings, we love to find certainty when faced with ambiguity. We look for clear answers, clear sides and clear narratives – evolution had told us that’s the safe option. Yet many of the issues shaping our workplaces, communities and societies do not offer simple solutions.
At THC, we believe one of the most important leadership capabilities today is the ability to stay curious in complexity. Agility is not simply about responding quickly to change. It is about remaining thoughtful when situations are uncertain, staying connected when perspectives differ and creating spaces where people can be seen, heard and valued.
Perhaps the question these stories leave us with is this: How do we resist the pull towards certainty long enough to remain curious, compassionate and connected to one another?
Team THC x