I’m excited to share a simple yet powerful tool that can help boost confidence, self-awareness, and productivity in the workplace: the brag book.
And yes, while the name might sound a tad cringey, this isn’t about showing off – it’s about recognising achievements, celebrating wins and empowering individuals to keep moving forward.
So, let’s dive into what brag books are, why they’re useful and how you can support your colleagues in creating and maintaining their own.
Workplace Confidence Podcast – A passion for public service, shaping talent in Greater Manchester with Anna Foster-Ressel
In this episode, we chat with Anna Foster-Ressel, the energetic Senior Talent and Resources Manager and Strategic People Business Partner at Greater Manchester Combined Authority. Anna shares her passion for the public sector and how she’s on a mission to build diverse, inclusive teams that truly reflect the community.
Anna talks about wearing two hats – leading recruitment for both GMCA and Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service and why she believes hiring for values and behaviours beats experience every time. She and Penny dig into the challenges of public sector recruitment, including how to attract talent when you can’t compete on salaries, and why Anna’s approach is all about connecting people with purpose.
Workplace Confidence Podcast – Inclusive recruitment, why two unconscious biases are better than one at BPP with Jen Hulme.
In this episode, Penny Haslam talks with Jen Hulme, a passionate talent acquisition leader at BPP, a leading UK provider of professional education in law, business, finance and healthcare.
Jen shares her fresh approach to recruitment, focusing on the art of recruiting rather than specialising in a single industry. She believes that by mastering recruitment skills, you can succeed across various sectors, making the process more dynamic and insightful.
Jen explains how BPP attracts top talent, especially from diverse backgrounds and emphasises the importance of aligning candidates with the company’s core values, such as being student-centric and embracing change. She also discusses the challenges of maintaining a personal touch in an increasingly automated recruitment world.
Workplace Confidence Podcast – Empowering leaders at the College of Policing with Becs Riley.
In this episode, Becs Riley, Senior Leaders Hub Manager at the College of Policing, shares her unique journey from working as a forensic shoe print specialist to leading initiatives that support senior leaders.
Becs explores the challenges of empowering leaders in policing, particularly the difficulty of shifting mindsets from focusing solely on operational tasks to taking on broader leadership roles.
Episode 8: Workplace Confidence PodcastWhere people professionals share the great work they doIn this episode, we sit down with Annabel Jones, Senior HR Director for International Sales & Marketing at ADP a global payroll and HR services provider. Annabel brings a wealth of experience from her diverse people career journey, including roles in the music industry, visual effects for blockbuster films …
Workplace Confidence Podcast – Tackling the gender pay gap and promoting well-being at the NFU with Catherine Cooper.
In this episode, we chat with Catherine Cooper, Director of People at the National Farmers Union, who is on a mission to foster inclusivity and tackle the gender pay gap at NFU. Catherine brings her passion for people and culture to the forefront, sharing her strategies for supporting employees and members through challenging times like Brexit, COVID-19, and the war in Ukraine.
Catherine discusses the NFU’s approach to closing the gender pay gap, focusing on empowering women, promoting flexible working and ensuring fair and unbiased recruitment.
She also opens up about her personal journey with confidence and imposter syndrome and how these experiences shape her leadership style today. From creating connection through “Tea Together” events to implementing agile working policies, Catherine is all about making sure everyone at NFU feels valued and supported.
Workplace Confidence Podcast – Building a legacy, leading with empathy and purpose at Property Tectonics with Esther Brady. In this episode, Penny Haslam is in conversation with Esther Brady, Managing Director of Property Tectonics, a property and construction consultancy known for blending professional services with innovative software solutions.
Esther shares her journey from working on reception to leading the company, highlighting how her unconventional path and commitment to servant leadership have shaped her approach to business and people management.
Esther talks about the unexpected challenges she faced when her father, the company founder, passed away, thrusting her into the role of MD amidst personal grief and a shifting business landscape. She reflects on how these experiences boosted her confidence, driving her to lead with empathy, foster a strong workplace culture and ensure her team feels valued and supported.
Workplace Confidence Podcast – Leading brilliant minds with curiosity and confidence at Signature Discovery with James Edgar.
In this episode, Penny Haslam chats with James Edgar, Chief People Officer at Signature Discovery, an outsourced provider of early-stage drug discovery services for biotech and pharma companies.
James brings a unique perspective to the role with a background in media, advertising, investment banking and even private prisons. Now at Signature Discovery, he’s driving growth in a rapidly expanding company that specialises in cutting-edge science, including oncology and Alzheimer’s research.
Workplace Confidence Podcast – From accidental D&I leader to global change-maker with Jane Ayaduray.
In this episode, Penny Haslam is joined by Jane Ayaduray, Director of Global Diversity and Inclusion at a leading global law firm. Jane shares her unconventional journey into the world of diversity and inclusion, a path she stumbled upon by accident when she mistakenly applied for a job she didn’t realise was in D&I. From this unexpected start, Jane has forged a successful career championing diversity, equity and inclusion across multiple industries and continents.
Jane reflects on her diverse roles, from working in Singapore and Dubai with Standard Chartered to leading D&I at BNP Paribas and now in her current role, where she’s focused on fostering an inclusive culture and supporting senior women lawyers globally.
Workplace Confidence Podcast – Building people-centric businesses at P3 People Management with Charlotte Dean.
In this episode, Penny Haslam talks with Charlotte Dean, founder of P3 People Management, about her journey from the corporate world to supporting small and medium-sized businesses with their people strategies. Charlotte shares how she started P3 with a passion for working with companies that truly value their people and how her approach has evolved to focus on those who see their employees as more than just resources but as integral to their brand and success.
Charlotte discusses the importance of understanding a company’s culture and values and how she helps organisations become more people-centric by asking the right questions and encouraging curiosity. She emphasises the need for businesses to invest in self-awareness and personal development, not just for leaders but for all team members, to foster a workplace environment where everyone can thrive.