Living the English Dream: It’s Not Home Ownership, It’s Entrepreneurship

When I first moved to the UK over 16 years ago, I believed the ultimate goal was home ownership. That’s what everyone talked about, the mortgage, the deposit, the postcode. It felt like the universal benchmark of success. And yes, owning a home is a milestone, a symbol of stability. But over time, I realised something deeper: the real English dream is freedom and for many of us, that comes through entrepreneurship.

Entrepreneurship isn’t just about launching a startup or building a tech empire. It’s about owning your journey, your choices, and your voice. It’s about creating space for your ideas to thrive, even if that means stepping outside the traditional corporate path.

I’ve met women who returned from maternity leave with a fire to do something different not just for themselves, but for their families. One woman I mentored had spent years in a support role, always told she was “too soft” for leadership. After a few months of coaching and confidence-building, she transitioned into a QA lead role and now mentors others herself. That’s entrepreneurship not just in title, but in mindset.

I’ve seen professionals stuck in roles that didn’t value their voice, their ideas, or their potential. And I’ve been there myself, navigating the corporate maze, wondering if there’s more. The turning point came when I stopped asking, “What’s the next promotion?” and started asking, “What impact do I want to make?”

Entrepreneurship is also about community. It’s mentoring others, launching a side hustle, consulting, or simply choosing projects that align with your values. It’s the freedom to say, “I know my worth, and I choose how I contribute.” It’s helping someone else rise while you rise too.

In today’s UK, where the cost of living is high and traditional career paths are shifting, the dream isn’t just about bricks and mortar. It’s about building something meaningful whether that’s a business, a movement, or a legacy.

So if you’re chasing the English dream, don’t just look at property ladders. Look at impact, independence, and growth. That’s the dream worth living.

Beyond Authority: The Human-centred approach to exceptional leadership

A great leader is someone who exemplifies integrity and earns moral authority through their actions. They possess the ability to inspire others to achieve what they might not pursue independently. However, setting an example alone is insufficient. Exceptional leaders master the art of elevating others to meet their own standards of excellence. This is a demanding endeavour, and those who learn to mobilize people effectively acquire a skill set that's transferable to any industry.

True leaders also understand that their role is not to “fix” people. Regardless of whom you are leading, the quickest way to alienate or frustrate someone is by attempting to change them. Instead, uncover what motivates them and position them to succeed at the highest level even if it requires you to shift your perspective. It is unrealistic to believe you can fundamentally change someone. The desire to improve must come from within. Rather than solving their problems for them, strive to understand their deeper aspirations. Often, what people truly seek is someone who listens, asks thoughtful questions, and gently guides them in the right direction. People want to feel heard. Taking the time to understand them is essential for effective leadership. Once they tap into their internal drive to excel, they will self-correct and contribute meaningfully toward their goals. A leader’s responsibility is to understand their team and strategically align the pieces so each individual can maximize their potential. The most critical factor in unlocking that potential is simple: it must genuinely matter to them.

To excel in your leadership journey, the most powerful move you can make is to shadow great leaders. Whatever the situation, do your best to be around leaders who have the skills and success that you are seeking.