Murder investigations & Management Mastery

Whether you're solving a murder or implementing a strategic software solution, the essence of leadership is the same: understand your team, harness their strengths and guide them toward a shared goal.

Hands in Team Working.

As I am working through the main characters in the Surrey MIT under DI Goodwin on the Story Behind My Stories podcast for Connecting Trains, I am realising how much yet again my writing is reflective of my own experience.

As someone who’s led teams in financial services, a highly regulated and structured environment, I’ve seen first hand how the dynamics of a high-pressure project could mirror those of a murder investigation. And DI Goodwin, the Senior Investigating Officer (SIO), is a masterclass in managing complexity through his people.

I designed the characters to allow me to bring in traits and personalities that oppose, compliment or align with Goodwin's own. Some are there to add tension to the investigation, some to conflict with others and some to provide a skill set needed but not within Goodwin's own.

That is what a team should be and encompass. Goodwin’s role isn’t just about solving crime nor doing so on his own. It’s about managing personalities, navigating pressure, and delivering results. His team is a mosaic of talent, quirks and potential. Just like in corporate settings, success depends on how well he aligns individual strengths with collective objectives.

Goodwin doesn’t try to change his team, he channels them. He knows that:

• Neils' empathy can defuse tension in interviews.

• Penny’s precision is invaluable in evidence review.

• Angela’s drive makes her ideal for high-pressure confrontations.

• Pain's connections come up trumps for the team more often than not.

This mirrors how I’ve led teams in financial services and now in environmental reporting in the public sector by recognising that productivity isn’t about uniformity - it’s about synergy.

Goodwin himself is fascinating (a little based on yours truly in this aspect of his life). He’s the kind of leader who thrives on structure but must guard against inflexibility. His strength lies in his ability to absorb complexity and remain grounded, a trait I’ve found essential when managing strategic transformations.

Leadership is universal. Whether it’s a murder investigation or a strategic rollout, the principles are the same:

- Know your team.

- Play to their strengths.

- Manage their quirks.

- Lead with clarity, empathy and purpose.

DI Goodwin’s team may be chasing justice, but their dynamics offer timeless lessons for anyone leading people toward meaningful outcomes.

Have a great week

Love Helen x