Influential

Having always been a thinker, it seems I am now an influential one… I’m not sure what to make of that.

It’s taken me a couple of days to process the unveiling of the HR Most Influential 2026 list and what that means for me, personally and professionally. I am suspicious of lists and the claims made, sometimes, by those on them… yet here I am and I wanted it.

Personally, those who know me well know I struggle at times with visibility, limelight and self-promotion. If that surprises you, then my magic tricks have worked. My journey over 20 years with the business has been about finding and using my voice – more often than not through writing. I’ll talk about the work, I’ll talk about others’ work… but me in the spotlight is a genuinely uncomfortable place.

So, did I have a mild panic attack/ mini-meltdown at Edinburgh airport on the way to London on Thursday? Why yes. Yes I did.

Did I run all the “who am I to be there?” stories and come toe-to-toe with my inadequacies? Uh-huh. Check. Yup that happened.

Did I imagine being pointed at, mocked and isolated, to the point where I felt marginally sick? But of course, naturally, how else would I roll?

Not everyone runs that story, but I do… My dread/shame/ bad shit will happen if you put yourself forward reflex is STRONG.

I work with it when it comes. I know it makes me a better, more empathetic and compassionate practitioner…

I also know it holds me back...

So I messaged some good folk and got on the plane anyway, inviting the fear to step behind me, rather than be right out front.

I am nothing if not a work in progress – that kind of makes me happy.

When that dread comes, I have to reconnect back to who I am and what I know. Two decades of working with organisations and people who are often unwillingly in transition. Hundreds of hard conversations, hours of listening to distress and hope. God only knows how many post-it notes used. Tough gigs like Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service after the Arena bomb where the atmosphere was febrile, or the pressure of Manchester Met University in the midst of a digital transformation with a ton of academic stubbornness. The clients who let me work in the gnarly spaces are the reason there’s anything to recognise.

I’m determined my inclusion will do good things for the profile of fuchsiablue (and for me). If I have a step on a platform that allows me to continue to do good, challenging work, operate with kindness & creativity through organisational change, coach interesting folk who need time to think and focus and make space for good people, I want to grab it with both hands. I have not always done so in the past, preferring to stay somewhat in the shadows.

In the end, it was, of course a brilliant evening. I didn’t let me fear lead me, I tried to show up steady and whole. I met old friends and new contacts in the very best way. I was too hot and didn’t drink enough water and there are some very unfortunate photos of me out there…

There will be the ubiquitous Linkedin post where I will thank the right people and demonstrate some semblance of professional grace, but here I want to acknowledge that this recognition malarkey comes with stuff. Not for everyone, granted.. Some folk crave it, some just take it as theirs…my path is more complicated with it.

What I hold to is I began and ended the evening with true friends. Beginning with Fiona McBride (well done Fifi, my love, your place is utterly deserved - and anchoring calls from Sukh Pabial & Nerys Donaldson; ending with HR’s ACTUALLY most influtential Amanda Arrowsmith (next stop, OBE for you, sweetie). Add in unerring support from Brian Baglow and my world is held by more than lists.

So I’m off to spend the rest of 2026 influentually thinking (and acting).

If you haven’t connected with me in a while - or ever - do drop in and say hello. Pass on my details to good folk and interesting folk. Who knows? I might just influence them.

About me:

I’m Julie Drybrough, an Edinburgh based writer, speaker, master coach practitioner, partial to a good cup of tea, cake and conversation. Founder of Write Nights online community and writing retreats ( see more here - come & join us!) and fuchsiablue ltd - an Organisational change consultancy. I work with people to improve conversations, relationships and learning.