Skills and Professional Development Archives

The simple goal setting tool that sets your team up for success

The simple goal setting tool that sets your team up for success. When I talk to leaders about confidence, I’m always drawn back to something simple: people feel better about themselves when they achieve things. It sounds almost too obvious, doesn’t it? But in the day-to-day rush of work – the meetings, the emails, the urgent stuff piling up in corners – it’s astonishing how often this basic truth gets overlooked. We forget that momentum builds confidence, and confidence fuels performance.

What I’ve noticed, over and over again, is that achievement doesn’t have to be spectacular to be powerful. In fact, the big, dramatic wins tend to arrive only after a long stretch of small, steady steps. But in workplaces, we rarely pause long enough to notice those steps, never mind celebrate them.

And that’s a problem, because when people stop recognising their own progress, their confidence starts to dip. You see it in the colleague who used to be full of ideas but has grown quiet. You see it in the bright new hire who arrived bursting with energy, only to lose their shine a few months in. You see it in people who’ve always been capable but have started doubting themselves, often without anyone realising. As I say in the podcast, life happens – people go through things, confidence gets knocked, and achievement starts to feel harder than it should.

A beginner’s guide to difficult conversations at work

A beginner’s guide to difficult conversations at work. Difficult conversations are a leadership challenge; this guide is here to make them easier.

You’ll find out why people avoid them, what happens when we stay silent and practical ways to deal with the most common situations. From giving quick feedback in the moment to tackling repeated performance issues and even speaking up to senior colleagues, you’ll get straightforward advice you can start using right away.

To bring this to life, we’ve drawn on the expertise of Bit Famous associate and leadership coach Heather Wright. Heather has years of experience working with organisations on culture, performance and leadership. She knows first-hand how much confidence grows when people learn to handle these conversations well. Her insights and practical tools run through this beginner’s guide.

How to build confidence when you don’t have the answers

How to build confidence when you don’t have the answers.

Have you ever been dropped into a situation where everyone’s looking to you… And you’ve got no idea what to do?

Not because you’re unprepared or not up to it, but because the answer just isn’t clear. There’s no obvious right move. Just pressure, people and the uncomfortable weight of not knowing.

That feeling? It’s common. Especially if you lead others.

And it’s exactly why building confidence without certainty is a skill worth practising.

“I’m no good at that” – challenging limiting beliefs and negative self-labelling at work

There’s a phrase you’ll often hear in the workplace: “I’m just not good at that sort of thing.”
Sometimes it’s more specific, “I don’t do small talk” or “I hate speaking in meetings.”
And it’s frustrating to hear, especially when you’ve seen the same person light up when talking about their area of expertise.
Ask them about a problem in the supply chain or a piece of technical kit and they’ll speak with clarity, detail and passion. No hesitation. No second-guessing.
But ask them to contribute to a team discussion or start a casual chat at an event, and suddenly they shrink back.
They’ll tell you it’s not their thing.
They’ll tell you they’re not that kind of person.
So what’s going on?
In my experience, it usually comes down to two things:
Limiting beliefs: quiet, unchallenged thoughts people carry around about what they can and can’t do. The ones that say, “This isn’t me,” or “I’m not wired for that.”
Negative self-labelling: repeated out loud, often with a shrug. “I’m always late.” “I ramble when I talk.” “I’m no good with people.”
And over time, these stick.
They become part of someone’s professional identity, woven into how they see themselves and how others start to see them too.
But here’s the thing. In most cases, these beliefs aren’t rooted in truth, they’re just coping strategies.
A way of managing nerves. A bit of cover for social discomfort.
And when repeated enough, they start to set the limits of what someone believes they’re capable of.
Which is where the problem begins.
Because in a workplace context, these beliefs don’t just stay inside someone’s head.
They affect how they show up, how they contribute, how others engage with them… and ultimately how far they grow.
And that’s a challenge for any organisation trying to build confident, connected, collaborative teams.

Why presentation skills training isn’t always the answer

When someone in your team struggles to speak up or seems unsure of themselves, it’s tempting to reach for a quick solution: presentation skills training.

It’s neat. It’s available. And it feels like you’re taking action. But in many cases, it’s a veneer-thin fix.

Yes, presentation skills training can be great for learning how to structure a talk, use slides well or engage an audience.

But if the real problem runs deeper, it won’t help. In fact, it might do more harm than good.

Because more often than not, it’s not a skills issue. It’s about confidence. Or culture. Or the way people are heard – or not – in your organisation.

So let’s rethink what’s really going on.

HR in the boardroom, 5 ways to elevate your influence

HR in the boardroom, 5 ways to elevate your influence. While writing this I had HR leaders in mind because according to the CIPD, just 2% of businesses have an HR director as executive board members, even though workforce issues have such an influence on an organisation’s success.
So, I’m dedicating today’s newsletter to people professionals (or anyone who wants to strengthen their voice in this area,) with five practical ways to elevate your influence and impact this year. 1. Define what you want to be known for
What’s your expertise? What’s the thing people turn to you for? Maybe it’s staying ahead of the curve with AI in recruitment or cracking intergenerational workforce challenges.
You don’t need to be a global expert, just know enough to hold your ground and add value. Pick an area that excites you, stay curious and share your insights. You’ll be amazed at how quickly you’re seen as the trusted go-to expert.
2. Connect HR to big business goals
Think like the CEO or CFO. What do they care about? Growth, market share, the bottom line? How does HR contribute to that?
So, if you’ve run a programme to retain senior women leaders, don’t just talk about “soft” benefits, share the financial impact. Has the work you’ve delivered saved 10X on recruitment costs? Brilliant.
How have you boosted team productivity? Practise discussing your commercial successes out loud. Do it in the car, in the shower – anywhere! Sure, it might feel a bit weird, but trust me, it works.

How to say no at work

How to say no at work. Let’s face it, saying no isn’t always easy. Whether it’s a colleague, your boss or that overly enthusiastic friend trying to rope you into something, the pressure to say yes can feel overwhelming.

So, here’s my guide to navigating those tricky situations when you want to confidently say no.

Do you struggle to say no at work?
Some of us just can’t bear the thought of letting anyone down. Often we can find ourselves saying yes to a request just to keep others happy – even if it’s at the detriment of our own happiness or well-being.

This can stem from a strong need to be liked, conflict avoidance or even an ingrained habit of simply prioritising others’ needs above their own.

While it’s a trait rooted in kindness and collaboration – which is lovely – it can lead to burnout, resentment or being taken advantage of if left unchecked. So, what can you do if you are stuck in a cycle of saying yes when you don’t want to?

How to ask for feedback – dos and don’ts

How to ask for feedback – dos and don’ts. Feedback can be a brilliant work tool. When done right it promotes personal growth, builds confidence and strengthens relationships.
But before you jump in with a casual “How did I do?”, there’s a lot worth considering.
In my latest podcast episode, I share all my top tips on how to ask for feedback. Plus, a story about the worst piece of feedback I ever got during my time in TV – it still makes me wince! Have a listen and feel free to share it with your colleagues.

How to stop saying sorry at work

How to stop saying sorry at work. Are you or your colleagues guilty of saying “sorry” a bit too much at work? You’re not alone – over-apologising is a common habit and it can undermine our authority and confidence without us even realising it.
When we constantly say sorry, we subtly communicate that our needs, ideas or presence are less important.
This habit is regularly an issue for women at work, who may feel the need to apologise just for speaking up or taking up space. It’s a subtle but powerful behaviour that can hold us back professionally.
I was discussing workplace confidence in a webcast this week with 400 colleagues at a global engineering firm and one director admitted she kept finding herself apologising – for asking a question, for interrupting, even for offering her own opinion! It made me think: Why do we say sorry so much, and what can we do about it?

Get your people bragging, with brag books!

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.

The power of reflective practice

Do your people think, reflect and succeed? The power of reflective practice.
I’d like to introduce you to another free and straightforward idea that will supercharge professional life for you and your colleagues.
It’s called ‘reflective practice’ – also known as journaling or, in super simple terms, writing down your thoughts and writing down what you think about your thoughts.
It can have a surprisingly powerful impact.
The practice is commonly used by healthcare, education and social work professionals, but trust me, its’ benefits can transform any workplace.

Outperform and impress: 5 Meeting hosting hacks that will set you apart

We delve into the art of hosting a meeting, a crucial skill that can significantly impact your career progression. We discuss the difference between just holding a meeting and truly hosting one, and explore various strategies to engage attendees, manage time effectively, and drive productive discussions. This guide will arm you with the tools you need to turn any meeting into a platform for meaningful communication and collaboration.

How to calm nerves before a presentation

So I get asked all the time, “How do I beat nerves?” Do I still get nervous whenever I’m going to deliver a presentation or a talk in lots of different environments? And I always say that I don’t ever try to beat nerves. There’s no way you can get rid of them because we’re all human, right? So this blog is all about how to support yourself really well while being nervous.

Slide-free presentations: Kick the PowerPoint habit

Audiences crave a more engaging and interactive presentation experience. I recommend breaking free from over-dependency on PowerPoint to explore innovative ways to captivate your audience.

In this blog post, I’ll guide you through the process of embracing slide-free (or fewer slides) presentations, I hope it’ll give you some ideas to help kick the PowerPoint habit for good.

Want to nail your next presentation? Here’s why mindset matters

Executive CoachingDiscover our world-class coachingLet’s talkBook a no-obligation discovery callGet your mindset right for a great presentation What I want to talk about today is a really important part of presenting or speaking or being in front of people, and that is preparation. Often we think of preparation as getting your slide deck sorted, getting PowerPoint open, making notes and …

Are you a great speaker or just good enough?

It can be tough to get honest feedback about your speaking skills, especially as you move up the career ladder. Colleagues might not know how to give constructive criticism, or they might not feel comfortable critiquing your speaking. That’s where professional coaches come in. They can help you take your speaking abilities to the next level.

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