Communication and engagement

Why doesn’t my team remember what I say? The familiar leadership frustration You say the thing. You explain it clearly. You answer the questions. You leave the room thinking, right, that’s done. And then… a week later… It’s as if none of it ever happened. Someone asks a question you’re sure you already covered. You find yourself repeating the same message again, slightly louder this time, wondering whether you’re going mad or whether everyone else has collectively forgotten. This is one of the most frustrating experiences in leadership. Especially when the message matters. A change in direction. A new way of working. The start of something important you genuinely care about. You’ve been thinking about it for weeks, maybe months. You’re invested. You’re clear. You’re ready to go. And yet the energy you felt when you shared it doesn’t seem to last. Engagement fades. Momentum stalls. You start to question…

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.…

An introduction to difficult conversations at work. I’m joined by leadership coach Heather Wright to explore why we so often avoid difficult conversations at work. Heather tells me that fear is usually at the root – fear of saying the wrong thing, fear of being seen as a bully, or fear of conflict itself. Yet conflict, when it’s handled well, is not destructive at all. In fact, it’s essential for building trust and creating high-performing teams. Heather explains that many of us simply don’t have good role models for how to do this. We see conflict on TV or in arguments that escalate, but rarely do we see a tricky conversation that goes well. That’s why she encourages leaders to set the tone early, having “conversations about conversations” before issues arise. When teams know that disagreement isn’t personal, they feel safe to speak up and work better together. The cost…

In a confidence workshop this week, I was asked a question that comes up again and again: “Do women struggle more with confidence, or are men just less likely to admit it?” On the face of it, yes, women are more likely to talk about feelings, while men stereotypically don’t. But the long answer isn’t quite so simple. I’d argue that when it comes to confidence, it’s not about chromosomes. It’s about the messages we absorb from a young age, subtle ones that shape how we see ourselves and how others see us. Boys first, girls second For me, it started in primary school. Every morning, when taking the register, the teacher read out the boys’ names first. Then the girls’. At the time, it felt normal. But it landed: boys came first. We came second. That’s how it begins, not with big, dramatic moments but with small, repeated signals.…

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.…

How to Ask Great Questions Questions. We ask them all the time, don’t we? In meetings, in conversations with colleagues, when we’re getting to know clients, and even when we’re networking at events. But how often do we actually stop and think about the questions we’re asking? When I asked questions for a living, as a journalist on live TV, the quality of the questions was important because it affected the quality of the answers. But quite understandably most of us just ask questions, in our day to day life, in a natural way. But how about we focus a bit more on crafting great questions? Making it deliberate. Thoughtful. Because when you ask them well, they can change the way people engage with you, the quality of ideas you get back, and ultimately, the results you achieve in your work. So today, we’re talking about how to ask great…

Great Job! Why recognition needs a rethink. Did you shout ‘great job, team!’ this week, perhaps with a triumphant air punch? Recognising and appreciating good work is a key leadership skill, but doing it inconsistently can sink morale faster than you can say “project deadline.” Picture this: you’ve slogged through a tough project, and… nothing. Not a word. Then, a colleague gets applauded for something minor. Annoying, right? That’s the danger of patchy praise. It leaves people feeling overlooked and unmotivated. Recognition shouldn’t be a rare event Appreciation isn’t just for the big wins. It needs to happen consistently and sincerely – whether it’s celebrating a major milestone or acknowledging smaller efforts that keep the wheels turning. When you only highlight certain achievements, the unspoken message is clear: not all contributions matter. That breeds dissatisfaction and disengagement.…

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…

Today, I want to talk about confidence thieves. You know – those people (or moments) that swoop in and swipe your self-belief right out from under you. They’re real, persistent and they can strike at any time. But don’t worry, I’ve got some great advice to help you spot them, protect yourself and even bounce back stronger. What are confidence thieves? Confidence thieves come in different forms. Sometimes it’s a person – a colleague, a boss or even a so-called friend – who makes a remark that cuts deep, making you question yourself. Other times, it’s a situation, like a big presentation or an unexpected challenge that rattles your confidence. And then there’s that little voice in your head, whispering things like, “Who do you think you are?” or “You’re not ready for this.” Any of these can steal your self-belief if you let them. It can happen so quickly.…

What do meetings look like in your organisation? Is it just a few people speaking while most stay silent? Do people interrupt, talk over each other, pinch ideas, or mansplain? Perhaps the culture is that the leaders or the most experienced have all the best ideas, and it’s everyone else’s job just to shut up and listen. Create a thinking environment in your meetings I’ve got some great tips and advice about listening for you to share with your colleagues. It’s all about consistently putting listening into practice to create more sustainably successful and productive meetings, where: You tap into genuine creativity and fantastic ideas by making listening a priority. People feel heard and positive about themselves because they’ve made genuine contributions and solved problems together. As a leader, you’re seen as more coach-like, empathetic, and approachable. So, as ever in the Workplace Confidence newsletter, it’s about the HOW. How…

This time, I’m delving into a topic close to my heart: feeling like you can’t be your authentic self at work. It’s a common issue, and thinking back to my career at the BBC, I certainly had times when I played small and held back on sharing ideas. A former boss once told me to “intellectualise more!” Ironically, I had no clue what he meant. The effort of trying to be something I wasn’t left me stressed, tired and grappling with bouts of burnout. I often felt misunderstood by colleagues and unable to contribute fully. A square peg in a round hole, with plenty of good old imposter syndrome thrown in for good measure! All of these feelings come at a cost, with broader implications for you, your colleagues and your organisation: Mental health: Anxiety, stress, depression and burnout. Productivity: When people aren’t themselves, they’re short on ideas, less innovative…

How to interrupt like a pro. This time, I’m sharing insights on a slightly less celebrated but incredibly useful skill – interrupting! Far from being a breach of etiquette, having colleagues who know how to interrupt appropriately is essential. Confidently interrupting (and accepting interruptions) without causing offence saves time and enhances collaboration and productivity. The art of interrupting Interrupting isn’t about cutting people off – it’s about steering a conversation constructively. Instead of the awkward ‘um’ or ‘excuse me,’ opt for confident and clear interjections. A well-timed “Thank you for that insight, let’s hold on to that thought and move on,” can seamlessly shift the discussion without dampening the speaker’s spirit.…

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.…

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 making sure you’re ready to go. But actually, there’s a bit more preparation to be done that will really help you boost your performance, power it up and make you feel better when you’re actually in the moment of speaking, presenting or even taking part in a panel discussion or a podcast.  Mindset is the real inner work required before a presentation I’m talking about mindset, the real inner work required before presenting. It’s best demonstrated in this example of the challenges we can sometimes present ourselves with inside our…

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.…

I’ve got a bit of a challenge on with somebody. I’m trying to convince them that having an opinion and sharing it is a really good idea. Now you might be in the camp of: “Oh, no way. I’m not sharing my personal opinions anywhere or with anyone because that’s the recipe for disaster. That’s the road to ruin.” I, however, believe you absolutely must share your opinions and your experiences and your thinking about things so that people understand what you stand for, who you are, and where you’re coming from.…