The room that wins the war!

By David Bolt, Founder of TenXed

A True Story: The Miracle Map Room Beneath Churchill’s Feet

In the dead of night during the Second World War, deep beneath the streets of London, a group of overlooked officers sat hunched over maps and pinboards in a cramped underground chamber. This was the Map Room, the hidden nerve centre of Winston Churchill’s War Cabinet.

It looked simple—just walls covered in coloured string, thumbtacks, and hand-written labels. But this modest space gave Churchill’s team what they needed most: clarity.

Every ship, every battalion, every fuel supply across the British Empire was tracked and updated daily.

One general later said,

“We didn’t need more troops. We needed to see the troops we already had.”

That changed everything.

Churchill called the room “the heartbeat of our operation.”

It didn’t create new resources.

It revealed what was already in play.

And that insight gave them the power to lead with confidence.

When I first heard about Churchill’s war room, it hit me like a bolt.

That’s exactly what I try to build with every organisation I serve.

Most charities don’t need to hustle harder — they need to see clearer.

You’ve already got brilliant people. You’ve already got resources tucked away.

But without visibility, you’ll keep reacting instead of leading.

That’s why the Asset Register isn’t just a list.

It’s a mindset.

It’s your war room.

It helps you stop running from fires… and start commanding the mission.

The Big Idea: ASSET

Your Asset Register is your Map Room.

Not a dusty compliance file—but a live, strategic command centre.

It gives you visibility, reveals your strength, and empowers precise leadership.

Let’s break it down:

A – Audit What’s Already in Play

Start with a full sweep—vehicles, gear, tech, spaces, and especially people.

Most organisations forget to list their most valuable asset: their team.

That admin assistant wearing five hats? That youth volunteer with a hidden degree? Start seeing them clearly.

S – Spot the Strengths Others Miss

You’re not just logging items. You’re uncovering potential.

Track location, passion areas, unique skill sets, and hidden capacity.

Your “quiet” volunteer may just be your next team lead.

This is where resourcefulness becomes strategy.

S – Shift From Scarcity to Strategy

Once your assets are visible, the mindset shifts.

You stop operating from panic or lack.

You begin reallocating and mobilising with confidence.

You go from “We’re not enough” to “We’ve got more than we realised.”

E – Expose the Gaps With Precision

With your real strengths mapped, the gaps become clear.

Not vague needs—specific, fundable gaps.

“We’re missing digital design help.”

“We need a second driver.”

This clarity makes your grant applications stronger and your internal conversations sharper.

T – Turn It Into Action

Now move:

• Reassign under-utilised people or items

• Sell or donate excess

• Justify funding with strong evidence

• Plan forward with confidence

• Celebrate what’s already working

This isn’t admin. It’s strategic firepower.

Final Words: You Are Not Empty-Handed

I’ve seen it again and again—leaders staring at burnout, convinced they’re under-resourced.

But when we open the register, when we map out their people, gear, influence and energy—

something shifts.

They realise they’re not empty-handed.

They’re already equipped.

They just hadn’t seen it yet.

So before you chase another grant…

Before you write another desperate to-do list…

Pause.

Open the register.

Step into your war room.

And lead from strength.

You’ve got more than you think.

Dave Bolt

Live. Love. Create.