Career development

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.…

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,…

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. 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…

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…

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. 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…

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.…

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.…

Women in professional services: 10 key strategies for career progress. When you want to progress at work, it’s not simply a case of just being good at your job. Let’s assume you’ve got that covered. Advancing your career requires a shift in the way you get seen by the people who matter to you and your career. You could call that developing your ‘personal brand’. But don’t stop there. Get the cut through you need, to be highly thought of for opportunities by adding the word ‘profile’. Ask yourself, what am I doing to progress my personal brand profile? Where am I being seen? And am I just hoping for the best? And if that made you a little uncomfortable then you probably need to take action or remain a best-kept secret. The following list gives you 10 tried and tested, highly effective ways to showcase your expertise and the…

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.…