Staying Sharp: Recharge Your Intellectual Battery
As we have discussed previously if the Physical Battery powers the body, the Intellectual Battery powers the mind. And just like a device left too long without an update, our thinking can slow, glitch, or get stuck in old patterns if we don’t recharge it.
For me, the Intellectual Battery isn’t about exam results or how many letters you can add after your name. It’s about curiosity, challenge, and the willingness to keep learning — from books, from people, and from the kind of experiences you only get by saying “yes” to new things. When it’s topped up, I’m sharper in decisions, faster in problem-solving, and more creative in my work and life.
Get it charged lol …..
Curiosity as a Daily Habit
We often think curiosity is something you’re either born with or you’re not, but I’ve learned it’s a muscle you can train.
I feed mine by asking “why?” more often — not just in work projects, but in everyday moments. Why is that process done that way? Why does a dog always seem to know when it’s 5pm? Why does a hill feel steeper on the way down?
Those questions often lead to surprising insights — and sometimes, even better questions.
Non-Executive Roles: Learning at the Top Table
My non-executive work has been a masterclass in applied learning. At National Museums Liverpool, I’ve seen first-hand how culture, finance, and community all intersect in complex but rewarding ways. At The Reader, I’ve witnessed the power of literature and human connection to transform lives. And at Beamish Museum, I’ve been reminded that heritage isn’t just about the past — it’s about how stories and spaces continue to shape who we are today.
Sitting at those board tables means absorbing the patterns of strategic thinking from people with decades of experience, each with a different lens on risk, opportunity, and leadership. It’s also a constant reminder that intellect is a team sport — the best ideas often come from collaboration, not solo brilliance.
Big Glasses Energy …..
Relationships that Stretch You
I’ve been lucky to have mentors and older friends whose wisdom comes from years lived, mistakes made, and lessons hard-won. These relationships keep me grounded, but they also challenge me to think beyond my own blind spots.
Sometimes the most valuable question in a conversation is: “Have you thought about it this way?” Those moments keep my Intellectual Battery charged in ways no online course ever could.
Lifelong Learning: Trying New Things
I’ve come to see lifelong learning not as a hobby, but as a discipline. It’s the mindset that says: “I’m not finished yet.”
For me, that takes many forms. At National Museums Liverpool, I’m constantly learning from curators, educators, and commercial teams who bring different perspectives to the table. At The Reader, I’ve discovered how shared reading can teach empathy as much as intellect. And at Beamish Museum, I’ve been reminded that learning isn’t just forward-looking — sometimes the past holds the sharpest lessons.
Outside of my non-executive roles, I deliberately put myself in situations that stretch me: reading books I don’t always agree with, trying out technologies I don’t fully understand yet, or listening more than I speak in a room of experts. These moments are humbling — but they’re also electrifying.
Because lifelong learning isn’t just about acquiring knowledge. It’s about staying open, curious, and willing to be changed.
I’ve never stopped being a student. That doesn’t always mean formal education — though courses and training still have their place. More often, it’s about diving into something unfamiliar: testing new technology f, trying a different approach to a familiar problem, or learning a skill that has nothing to do with my job.
Each time I step outside my comfort zone, I feel my Intellectual Battery tick up another bar.
The Pay-Off
When your Intellectual Battery is full, I notice it everywhere: my meetings feel sharper, my writing flows faster, and my decisions are more confident. It’s also the bridge between the other batteries — influencing how I approach physical goals, how I connect spiritually, and how I engage socially.
