Leadership development

If you’ve ever walked out of a senior meeting thinking “Well… that went nowhere”, you’re not alone. This is the frustration that sits underneath many executive and board conversations. On paper, these meetings should be decisive. The people in the room are experienced, intelligent and trusted to steer the organisation. Yet in practice, the opposite often happens. Meetings run long. Decisions drift. Conversations get bogged down in updates rather than outcomes. What should be a focused, decision-shaping discussion quietly turns into a reporting session. You can almost feel the energy leak out of the room. Senior teams are rarely short of information. If anything, they’re overwhelmed by it. What they’re short of is clarity. They want to know: What’s the issue? Why does it matter? What do you need from us? When those questions aren’t answered early and explicitly, meetings stall. Slides multiply. Explanations lengthen. And this is the crucial…

Visible leadership mistakes and how to avoid them. Visible leadership isn’t just about being present; it’s about genuinely connecting with your team, being approachable and staying engaged. But let’s face it, even the best leaders can make mistakes – sometimes an attempt to be more visible can backfire, creating distance instead of connection. In this blog, I’ll cover some of the common traps and share practical advice on how to avoid them. By the end, you’ll have the tools you need to build real, lasting connections that strengthen your leadership.…

Could you just say a few words please? Ever been asked that, or had to ask it of someone else? It’s for that moment in an office, when there’s a ‘leaving do’ – a team member is retiring, going on maternity leave, moving on to another department or a new job somewhere else – and it’s someone senior’s job to mark the occasion with a small speech-ette. But it can fall a bit flat, can’t it? We’ve all witnessed it. The departing person feels unappreciated, the team are embarrassed. And you’ve missed an opportunity to communicate culture and to show how valuable your people actually are. So let’s get on top of these moments as leaders, make the most of the chance to be visible and ultimately make them more meaningful.…

Being visible as a leader is hugely important. Visible leaders can engage others, share key messages, values, and behaviours – making your job a bit easier, perhaps? It’s a huge topic, so today I’m giving you just one thing that you and your colleagues can adopt to be more visible and more confident. The challenge of networking I regularly hear frustrations from my clients about leaders and emerging talent sticking to their silos, not sharing their worth, and failing to build a network. I wasn’t proactive in making connections when I was an employee, which slowed down my career progress and made me feel cut off from the ‘big picture’ at work. Most people aren’t strategic network builders, which is a shame because nothing beats getting support, know-how, and a chance to be visible in front of a wider group. When we hear ‘network’, we often think of ‘networking’ –…

Bit Famous works with businesses and organisations to help them communicate with confidence.By Penny HaslamMD and Founder – Bit FamousExecutive CoachingDiscover our world-class coachingLet’s talkBook a no-obligation discovery call5 Warning signs that your team needs executive coaching. This guide offers a clear understanding of five key signs that indicate a team, or team members, might need executive coaching.  Written for HR and Learning and Development professionals, it highlights essential areas such as struggles with self-doubt, communication issues, resistance to change, and burnout.  Recognising these signs is vital for timely intervention and support, ensuring teams stay productive and adapt effectively to workplace challenges.  The 5 warning signs that teams need executive coaching are: Struggle with Self-Doubt and Communication: Team members display self-doubt and are ineffective communicators, hindering their ability to share ideas and contribute in meetings. Difficulties with Presentations: Individuals face challenges in public speaking, leading to nervousness, lack of clarity,…

How to speak in meetings with confidence and authority. Today, I want to discuss a significant problem: a challenge, particularly for women in meetings. I frequently hear this from the people I work with, as they discuss their actions (or lack of them) during meetings. They become bothered and reflect afterwards when things go wrong. Speaking up in meetings, and ensuring people listen to you are valuable skills to learn. Let’s dive into that today. I’m going to start with five points to cover. Let’s see how we go with those.…

Coaching is a versatile tool that can help you achieve your goals, whether you’re looking to improve your career, tackle a business challenge, or develop new skills. It’s an effective way to address complex challenges in your work or business that require guidance and expertise beyond your current level.…

How do I know if I need coaching? If you’re asking, do I need coaching? You’ve probably got something on your mind that you want to change or make progress on. Or if you run a team, you might have a colleague in mind for this. Now, just before we get started, our coaching deals with communication and confidence for people at work. Our clients are typically leaders or people who want to take the next step in their careers and business owners.…

All too often, confidence is seen as a personal burden to bear, something you have to work out on your own. I believe we’ve got to get over this idea because confidence is actually a people problem that we can all work to resolve.…

By raising your profile at work, you’re setting yourself up for a brighter future! Not only will you have the chance to expand your professional network, but you’ll also get recognition for your skills, talents, and achievements. Here are my top tips on how to raise your profile at work.…

Developing a personal brand isn’t just about showing off or bragging about your accomplishments. It’s about authentically and honestly sharing your experiences, skills, and values, in a way that resonates with your target audience.…

Executive presence is an important quality for leaders and those in positions of authority, as it can help inspire confidence in others and convey a sense of competence. It can also establish your credibility, authority and make you appear more confident and in control. Crucial for gaining the respect and trust of your people, clients, customers and other stakeholders.…

Are you a boring boss? In a meeting with a colleague, customer or client, who speaks first and for how long? Boring people tend to do all the talking and dominate a conversation. It can be frustrating when someone dominates the conversation and doesn’t give others a chance to speak.…