Reframing for resilience
In high-pressure roles – whether you’re advising government ministers, managing complex litigation, or juggling competing demands across clients – it can sometimes feel like the only way to cope is to change your job or even the entire system. But sometimes, the most powerful shift doesn’t require changing your circumstances. It’s about reframing how […]
Managing anxiety with ‘opposite action’
In high-stakes professional environments, anxiety can often feel like an unwelcome companion – showing up when decisions matter most or when expectations are at their highest. Whether you’re in a senior leadership role, managing a demanding caseload, or navigating change, anxiety can undermine confidence, cloud judgment, and erode wellbeing over time. That’s where a […]
Leverage your social strengths: introvert, ambivert, or extrovert?
Many people believe that being outgoing and charismatic is the key to social success. But in reality, likability and connection come from authenticity—not from forcing yourself into a personality that doesn’t feel natural. Vanessa Van Edwards, a behavioural researcher, emphasises that successful social interactions aren’t about changing who you are but about leveraging your unique […]
Emotional agility: pause, name, and choose
At work and in life, we often face situations that trigger immediate emotional reactions – whether it’s receiving unexpected feedback, managing tight deadlines, or navigating challenging relationships. These reactions, though natural, can sometimes lead us to act impulsively, making the situation worse. Emotional agility is the skill of pausing and then choosing a response that […]
Building confidence: strategies for professional and personal growth
Confidence is a vital attribute that influences how we communicate, make decisions, and seize opportunities in both our professional and personal lives. Developing and maintaining confidence can lead to greater job satisfaction, improved performance, and overall well-being. Here are several strategies to help you build and enhance your confidence: Recognise and celebrate your achievements Regularly […]
Speaking up in meetings
Speaking up in meetings can be challenging, especially if you’re naturally introverted or struggle with confidence in a room full of colleagues. However, your voice matters, and contributing effectively can enhance your professional presence, build credibility, and ensure your ideas are heard. Here are some key strategies to give you more confidence and impact speaking […]
Navigating the Stages of Team Development
Understanding how teams evolve is crucial for leaders, managers, and team members alike. One of the most widely recognised models of team development is Bruce Tuckman’s Stages of Team Development, which describes how teams progress from first coming together through to becoming mature and high-performing. Recognising and appreciating these stages—Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing, and Adjourning—can […]
Unlocking your team’s potential: the power of away days
With fast paced demands and hybrid working, the opportunity to step back, reflect, and reconnect as a team is more important than ever. Team away days aren’t just a break from routine: they’re an investment in your team’s culture and collective success. Done right, they’re also really good fun. And I believe fun is […]
Are your team meetings boring?
As a facilitator for team away days, I’ve noticed teams often want help to get the balance right in their team meetings between sharing useful information… and having to listen to colleagues drone on. Or between having a professional, structured agenda… and being plain bored. An effective way to enhance the flow of team […]
Wish you could stop replaying moments that make you feel bad?
We all have memories we’d rather forget – embarrassing situations, arguments, or things we wish we’d done differently. These things tend to replay on a loop inside our heads. Maybe it’s something you said in a meeting, an argument that spiralled out of control or an awkward encounter. While you can’t change what happened, you […]