Secrets From a Coach - Debbie Green & Laura Thomson's Podcast
Business & Economics Podcasts
Ideal for your commute, lunch break or even a well-deserved moment of self-care and development, our 25 minute episodes focus on positive actions to help you thrive and maximise your potential in the ever-evolving workplace, and in life. Join Debs and Lau, your positive cheerleaders bursting with energy and insight to maximise your confidence and success in the changing workplace. Leave feeling motivated, supported and armed with the tools and practical skills you need to maximise success as we experience the biggest shift in how we work in our lifetimes. We lift the lid on the real foundations for success in this new world of work. Our weekly episodes remain current and up-to-date and we frequently welcome high-profile guests to keep things fresh and diverse and to tackle topics like:Leadership, mindset, success, confidence, motivation, mental health, self-care, time management, career development, work life balance, thriving in the workplace and the future of work, handling setbacks and obstacles, dealing with difficult work relationships, delegating, managing upwards, performance, teamwork, setting up teams, neurodiversity in the workplace, mid-life learning and healthy hybrid working habits, motivation, team morale, conflict, embracing diversity, personal branding, impact and influence. Creating an authentic and innovative culture, team harmony and aligned performance, boosting self-motivation, change leadership, engaging people in change and transformation programmes, reducing online stress, setting and maintaining boundaries, communication, great one-to-ones, personal resilience, emotional intelligence, GROW, focus and goal-setting, productivity, coaching, wellness, successful team meetings, learning and development, difficult conversations, sales presentations, storytelling, effective client meetings, inclusion and belonging, Insights Discovery profiling®, team coaching, mediation, team days, fox vs panda mindset, inspirational appraisals, employee engagement, compassionate existence, purpose and values and meaning, getting promoted, career coaching, 100 Year Life, succession planning, 21 packets of time, HR and Talent teams, new start-ups, entrepreneurs, working from home, balancing family and business, first 90 days, power of a network, assertiveness, creativity and passion, wisdom, breathing and mindfulness, neurobics, inner critic to inner coach, self-regulation and self-management, self-esteem, self-belief and self-worth, impact of AI on workplace, the robots are coming, happiness and fulfilment, work-related stress and pressure, unwritten rules of working, blurred lines, inspirational leadership, supportive workplaces, reducing anxiety, reflection and headspace, digital wellbeing, operational organisation, using Teams and Zoom, train the trainer, intention, project management, continuous improvement, decision making, critical thinking and problem-solving, sustainability, how you show up, integrity and trust, active listening, negotiation, selling, meeting etiquette, line manager skillset, giving feedback, new managers, personal growth and self-development, challenging times, teamwork makes the dreamwork, TNT Tiny Noticeable Things, less drama more calmer, team tethering time, technology habits, positive language, making a difference, self-sabotage, intuition and gut feel, embrace difference, tailoring to different styles, personalisation, gratitude, achievement, fun and great places to work, overcoming fear, recognition, reward, achievement and advancement motivators, pandemic disruption, self-awareness and empathy and our all-time favourite topic: smashing the Imposter Syndrome. If you’d like any more information or to work with us on any of these topics, reach out to us via secretsfromacoach@aol.com, connect via Insta or Facebook and please rate and review so we can reach out and support more people. #sharethesecret
Location:
United States
Description:
Ideal for your commute, lunch break or even a well-deserved moment of self-care and development, our 25 minute episodes focus on positive actions to help you thrive and maximise your potential in the ever-evolving workplace, and in life. Join Debs and Lau, your positive cheerleaders bursting with energy and insight to maximise your confidence and success in the changing workplace. Leave feeling motivated, supported and armed with the tools and practical skills you need to maximise success as we experience the biggest shift in how we work in our lifetimes. We lift the lid on the real foundations for success in this new world of work. Our weekly episodes remain current and up-to-date and we frequently welcome high-profile guests to keep things fresh and diverse and to tackle topics like:Leadership, mindset, success, confidence, motivation, mental health, self-care, time management, career development, work life balance, thriving in the workplace and the future of work, handling setbacks and obstacles, dealing with difficult work relationships, delegating, managing upwards, performance, teamwork, setting up teams, neurodiversity in the workplace, mid-life learning and healthy hybrid working habits, motivation, team morale, conflict, embracing diversity, personal branding, impact and influence. Creating an authentic and innovative culture, team harmony and aligned performance, boosting self-motivation, change leadership, engaging people in change and transformation programmes, reducing online stress, setting and maintaining boundaries, communication, great one-to-ones, personal resilience, emotional intelligence, GROW, focus and goal-setting, productivity, coaching, wellness, successful team meetings, learning and development, difficult conversations, sales presentations, storytelling, effective client meetings, inclusion and belonging, Insights Discovery profiling®, team coaching, mediation, team days, fox vs panda mindset, inspirational appraisals, employee engagement, compassionate existence, purpose and values and meaning, getting promoted, career coaching, 100 Year Life, succession planning, 21 packets of time, HR and Talent teams, new start-ups, entrepreneurs, working from home, balancing family and business, first 90 days, power of a network, assertiveness, creativity and passion, wisdom, breathing and mindfulness, neurobics, inner critic to inner coach, self-regulation and self-management, self-esteem, self-belief and self-worth, impact of AI on workplace, the robots are coming, happiness and fulfilment, work-related stress and pressure, unwritten rules of working, blurred lines, inspirational leadership, supportive workplaces, reducing anxiety, reflection and headspace, digital wellbeing, operational organisation, using Teams and Zoom, train the trainer, intention, project management, continuous improvement, decision making, critical thinking and problem-solving, sustainability, how you show up, integrity and trust, active listening, negotiation, selling, meeting etiquette, line manager skillset, giving feedback, new managers, personal growth and self-development, challenging times, teamwork makes the dreamwork, TNT Tiny Noticeable Things, less drama more calmer, team tethering time, technology habits, positive language, making a difference, self-sabotage, intuition and gut feel, embrace difference, tailoring to different styles, personalisation, gratitude, achievement, fun and great places to work, overcoming fear, recognition, reward, achievement and advancement motivators, pandemic disruption, self-awareness and empathy and our all-time favourite topic: smashing the Imposter Syndrome. If you’d like any more information or to work with us on any of these topics, reach out to us via secretsfromacoach@aol.com, connect via Insta or Facebook and please rate and review so we can reach out and support more people. #sharethesecret
Language:
English
Episodes
183. Career Diversity Gives You Choices Later
5/3/2024
Our latest series is all about Redefining Careers and this first episode focuses on the benefits of having different experiences to enable more choice as you progress along your journey. Whether planned or unplanned, actively seeking new experiences gives us more resilience if options suddenly change (recessions, redundancies etc) and keeps us empowered and confident to leave if we are not happy in what we are doing. We are delighted this week to be joined by our amazing guest Andy Pule, who shares his advice for having different experiences. Now working at Director level in an organisation, it is inspiring to hear how often the blips become the opportunities that open up new job experiences. Relationships that form in the early days, can last for years as paths cross again. Its a great listen for anyone feeling stuck in their role and is worrying about leaving; to reassure yourself that the wisdom you have gained in your current role could be really useful in another organisation.
As with so much in life, its about attitude. With a career blip, its about not letting it sit as a chip on your shoulder, but to flip it to a 'what, how, when can I do something about this?' to keep empowered and confident. Blip, chip, flip - its about valuing your unique skills and life is too short to stay stuck in a job that is not right for you. It may take a few years to create the safety net in your life to be able to have choices, but having that exit plan reminds you that you matter.
Andy can be contacted via LinkedIn: Andy Pule
Curious for more?
Ep. 155 When Familiarity Breed Contempt - keep the spark going over the years in role
Ep. 144 Shifting From Imposter to Empower - believing in yourself
Ep.140 Keeping an Optimistic Mindset - how to take the blip and flip (not chip!)
Ep. 137 Keeping Well in a Corporate - a TA perspective with guest Lindsey Thompson
Duration:00:44:50
182 Benefits of Mentoring and Coaching to Everyday Life
4/26/2024
In the final of our 4-part focus on 'Future Ready, Today' we explore the benefits, skills and opportunities from bringing coaching or mentoring approach to everyday life. To have a 'coach' is now seen as an asset rather than something to be embarrassed about, so we share the top tips for coaching as well as practical examples for shifting from a tell-to-ask style of conversation. If training is about sharing knowledge, coaching is about enabling the other person to engage and commit to apply it in real life. Mentoring is a great way to share advice and wisdom - and adding in some coaching questions at the end keeps the conversation future focused.
As well as enabling change and improvement in others, looking for moments and opportunities to coach people keeps us future-ready as well. Being able to question (with intuition), listen (with attention), adapt (with purpose) and empower others is a un-automatable human mix of skills likely to be premium for the future.
NB: The ICF is seen the gold-standard for coaching and a good place to start exploring: via International Coaching Federation- Professional Coaching Association
Curious for more? Check out our relevant episodes:
Ep. 154 Supercharge Your Development With a PDP
Ep. 149 Maximising Your Performance Potential
Ep. 105 Inspiring Others to Succeed
Ep. 94 Everyday Coaching Skills (more explanation on the GROW coaching format)
Duration:00:39:54
181. Looking for Everyday Opportunities to Learn and Develop
4/18/2024
In this second episode in our 4-part focus on 'Future Readiness, Today' we look at easy, everyday ways to seek moments to learn and develop ourselves. As the waves of change due to automation, digitisation and AI continue to wash through the world of work, now is not the time to copy and paste our way through the working day. Although efficiency helps today be easier, it could reduce our creativity, confidence and empowerment in the future.
We take a practical and proactive look at what we can do today to set up well for the future. Taking Ownership for our CPD (continuing professional development) no matter where you are in/out an organisation. Practising Metacognition (thinking about your thinking) to get into the Habit of learning. Learning habits include setting a PDP and reviewing it monthly/quarterly (regardless of a line manager!), having visual reminders to keep learning new knowledge at the forefront of your mind. Mentoring, buddy groups and knowledge circles are great ways to keep learning fresh 'fibrous' info, alongside the pre-processed convenience -knowledge via google or an AI guide.
Curious for more? Check out our relevant episodes:
Ep. 97 Summer School: G is for Growth Mindset
Ep. 85 Inspiring Confidence in the Next Gen Workforce#
Ep. 67 The Gift of Hard-Won Wisdom
Ep. 34 To Adapt is to Flourish - with Tom Willis talking about moving across industries
Duration:00:38:32
180. Learning Prepares Us For The Future
4/12/2024
In this second in our 4-part mini-series 'Future Readiness, Today' we look at the role of learning to set us up we for the future. Rather than something that happens in a school, college or just at the start of our careers, having a learning mindset enables us to flourish in our personal and professional lives. Its about balancing the amount of 'crystallised knowledge' that forms over time, with your 'fluid intelligence' to be able to see things with fresh eyes. Learning for fun keeps our brain healthier as we age, plus boosts our confidence though the unplanned jolts of change.
As BB King said 'the wonderful thing about learning is that no-one can take it away from you' - no matter your background or CV, we can set an intent to learn, focus our attention on something purposeful and begin the momentum for change. We share top tips for prioritising learning moments amid the day-to- day, including the 4-stage learning process, the concept of 'neurobics' and remembering the mind-body link to learning. Just like any muscle: use it or lose it. Just 5 mins of learning a day could transform your confidence and future career options.
Curious for more? Check out our relevant episodes:
Ep. 166 Setting Motivating Goals
Ep. 154 Supercharge Your Development with a PDP
Ep. 133 Book Club - 4000 Weeks - A Wake-Up Call for Time Management
Ep.126 Empower With Everyday Curious Conversations
Duration:00:33:50
179. Keeping Successful Whilst Your Job Is Transforming
4/4/2024
Welcome to the first episode in our 4-part focus on 'Future Readiness, Today'. As the waves of change due to automation, digitisation, hybrid working and AI continue to wash through the world of work, we take a practical and proactive look at what we can do today to set up well for the future.
Back in 2018 McKinsey's Global Trends report predicted 14% of the world's workforce may need to switch occupational categories. Maybe you are a customer service expert who now needs to generate opportunities as part of your role. Or a finance person who is now expected to collaborate and be more of a business partner. Many of the classic 'vertical' professions are now required to work in much more holistic and creative ways as organisations reshape and transform. Its still you, but with small adaptations week by week to enable your evolution over time.
We share practical tips for getting a GRIP on your mindset so you can maintain calm and empowered in all the noise. We focus on the power of networking to keep your radar on about what might be ahead that you could prepare for. And for those looking to influence their employer to invest in qualifications we share stats that demonstrate this is cheaper long term than having to hire in new people.
We cannot control the waves of change but we can grab a surfboard and make best use of our skills and attributes.
Curious for more? Check out our relevant episodes:
Ep 165. The Stoic Approach for Success During Change
Ep 156. Stretching Your Comfort Zone - Overcoming Nerves with Karl Green
Ep 122. Vision Requires Visibility - getting out and about opens up opportunities
Ep 166. Relationships Last Longer than Emails
Duration:00:30:45
178. Thriving in a Busy Worklife
3/28/2024
This final episode in our 5-part series on Managing a Continuous Workload revisits the theme of preventing burnout. Joined again by burnout exec coach Alexis Neighbour, she explains the 4 reasons why burnout is on the rise, namely a general rise in worries and anxieties fuelled by the pandemic, technology, societal pressures and environmental concerns.
Juggling work with caring commitments, health issues, attending appointments that are only scheduled in the 9-5 - it's the 'human' stuff that can all add up to create pressure moments that can take its toll (whilst trying to perform well in a role). We share real-life, practical tips for creating 'antidote' moments for ourselves and each other. Its reminding ourselves that our happiness, wellness and satisfaction is important - otherwise what is all the work for? We cant change the world, but we can change how we interact and impact the aspects of the world that we can influence.
A useful listen for those who are having a tricky time balancing pressures in and out of work, or wants to support someone who is.
You can connect with Alexis Neighbour via LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/alexis-neighbour-83b11830 or on email alexis@hygeiacoaching.com
Hot topic for you? Take a deeper dive in our related episodes:
Ep. 176 Protecting Yourself and Others Against Burnout (with Alexis Neighbour again)
Ep. 162 Owning Your Success Story
Ep. 139 Inner Wellness from an NLP Perspective (with guest Melanie Yea)
Ep. 133 Book Club: 4000 Weeks - A Wake-Up Call for Time Management
Duration:00:38:26
177. Tips for Delegating Regardless of Status
3/21/2024
This fourth episode in our 5-part series on Managing a Continuous Workload takes a practical approach looking at the skill of delegating. Delegation is not just for managers or senior people - it is sensible teamwork in action. As nature shows us, there is too much to do for one individual to safely carry it all alone - sharing workload and exchanging tasks is how success is sustained over time. (Even lone sharks share the tasks when hunting prey).
We share tips for shifting our mindset around delegating - less guilt, more achievement - its about reminding ourselves that we have choices. Whether to delegate more to the machines in our life to free up your thinking/resting time, or asking a colleague to help you out on a busy day - its about taking a tactical look at workload. We share our exclusive BRACE conversation format (benefits, reason, ask, collaborate, exchange) to help develop your confidence and approach to the conversation.
A useful listen for those who work 'unwatched' and need to even their load, or those who want to empower the ability to delegate for themselves or someone else. For the 'doers' amongst us, its about taking a bigger picture approach to how the do gets done. It might not be an easy conversation to start having, but in 6 months time it could have been a game-changer for your personal wellbeing and team success.
Hot topic for you? Take a deeper dive in our related episodes:
Ep, 168 Creating an Abundant Mindset as a Team
Ep. 156 Stretching Your Comfort Zone - Overcoming Nerves with guest Karl Green
Ep. 144 Shifting From Imposter to Empower
Ep. 137 Keeping Well in the Corporate World - with guest Lindsey Thompson-Wright
Duration:00:34:05
176. Protecting Yourself and Others From Burnout
3/14/2024
This third episode in our 5-part series on Managing a Continuous Workload addresses the alarmingly growing topic of burnout. Burnout is estimated to cost the UK £28.3 billion due to stress-related absence and is a growing problem impacting more people than ever before. We are privileged to be joined by Alexis Neighbour, who in her role as executive coach, now specialises in helping people resolve a sense of overwhelm, take back control of their lives and prevent the risk of burnout. She clearly explains the difference between stress, overwhelm and burnout and shares practical tips for noticing and catching it before it takes hold and creates permanent damage to our mental and physical health.
Alexis shares her first-hand experience of feeling like she was just 'existing' and the steps she took to shift things on to a better path. A good listen for anyone who is feeling a bit snappier or less joyful than usual; a life-changing listen for those who know something is not quite right, but cant quite put their finger on it yet - whether for themselves or someone in their team.
You can contact Alexis by email alexis@hygeiacoaching.com or via LinkedIn
Hot topic for you? Take a deeper dive in our related episodes:
Ep, 169 Knowing Your Personal Saboteurs
Ep.103 Redefining What Success Means For You Now
Ep. 139 Inner Wellness From an NLP Perspective with Melanie Yea
Ep.157 Making a Mid-Life Career Shift
Duration:00:40:59
175. Renegotiating Workload in a Win-Win Way
3/7/2024
This second episode in our 5-part series on Managing a Continuous Workload is about having 'a proper conversation' about the reality of a workload that is ever-growing. Hybrid working means workload share is less visible, and the leaner the team, the more likely there is a single job owner holding it all together. Less empathy and resilience can mean more pressure and stress and the more likely we are to stick with patterns of harder - not smarter - working. We share tips for how you can raise problems and challenges around workload, without looking like you are the problem or the challenge.
We refresh the basic principles for a win-win conversation and how to prep your gold, silver and bronze outcome beforehand so both parties feel like they had a good outcome. We demonstrate the CAR format in action (Context, Action, Result) as a way to make your point, as well as highlighting the benefits of having your workload re-looked at.
A good listen for those looking for tips for speaking up about their workload in a positive, proactive and personable way - or is mentoring someone who is.
Hot topic for you? Take a deeper dive in our related episodes:
Ep. 115 Savour Your Successes for Self-Confidence
Ep. 111 Accountability For Communication - Who's Responsible?
Ep. 107 Keeping Motivated When the Chips Are Down
Ep.91 From Overwhelm to Ownership
Duration:00:24:05
174. Prioritising Workload and Managing Expectations
2/29/2024
Our latest 5-part series is all about Managing a Continuous Workload, where we explore strategies for handling a busy workload that never seems to have a lull. This first episode is all about prioritising workload and communicating clearly to people so expectations - if not matched, are at least managed well. We share our CLAWS tool to decide who and how to update people, and the STROKE checklist for absolute clarity throughout a task or project. We demo an example of how to say no, and our number one top tip for handling even the most trickiest of stakeholders. And it involves paws.
A good listen for those who are finding workload volumes a challenge at the moment, or want to support others with practical ideas to convert problems in to solutions.
Hot topic for you? Take a deeper dive in our related episodes:
Ep. 167 Keeping Optimistic During Challenge
Ep. 113 Managing Expectations - Who's Job?
Ep. 131 Reducing Blame Forming Within a Hybrid Team
Ep.120 Employee Engagement is a Two-Way Street
Duration:00:33:24
173 Creating an Exceptional Hybrid Culture
2/22/2024
In this final episode in our 4-part focus on Maximising Hybrid Working we are thrilled to be joined by the amazing HR expert Kate Maddison-Greenwell. She shares her research from over 700 leaders about the realities of hybrid working : the blockers and enablers and in particular how to make meetings and communication engaging and productive.
Her research suggests 76% of managers do not feel equipped with the skills for hybrid working and takes us through practical tips for bringing a facilitative approach to conversations. Balancing flexibility with need to align and organise a team, Kate shares the 8 PE Framework that sums up the best practices that enable hybrid success.
Useful listen for managers wanting to benchmark their hybrid working, or for those who want to have a conversation to explore options.
Kate is the CEO of HR consultancy People Efficient. You can download the research here: https://linktr.ee/people_efficient -
Connect with Kate via LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/katemg She always posts useful articles and insights in the ever-evolving world of hybrid work and is a good go-to person if you want clarity or support on the HR aspects.
Curious? Take a deeper dive with our relevant episodes:
Ep. 159 Creating the Right Culture for Inclusion (for more of Kate!)
Ep. 90 Manage Expectations to Prevent a Blame Culture
Ep. 94 Everyday Coaching Skills
Ep. 152 Managing Performance Fairly During Change
Duration:00:41:58
172. Making In-Person Moments Count
2/15/2024
In this third episode in our Maximising Hybrid Working mini-series we explore how to make the most of the days we are in-person. For those fortunate enough to have this option available, we share tips for planning ahead and balancing the workload of being in-person whilst your 'digital twin' is silently gathering more emails. If you use your in-person time to sit glued to the screen fielding emails then this is missing the benefit of face-to-face relationship-building, energy transmission and key culture-defining moments.
We share our SSS concept - bring Synchronicity (align who and when is coming in) to enable Serendipity (chance, informal conversations and knowledge-sharing) and create Social Moments (eating together as a team could replace umpteen hours of meetings through closer bonds).
We are the first generation of adults able to bring such flexibility to how we work, A useful listen for those finding their way with their hybrid working pattern, it also gives some language to help change or improve things if its not quite there yet.
Curious? Take a deeper dive with some of our relevant episodes:
Ep. 129 Keeping Hybrid Communication Lines Open
Ep. 134 Book Club: How to Talk to Anyone - Tips for Easier Social Interactions
Ep. 110 Gratitude Resets Your Attitude
Ep. 93 Hybrid Presentation Skills
Duration:00:26:40
171b Building and Sustaining High-Performance Remote Teams
2/11/2024
Ever felt like an island in the vast ocean of remote work? Join us as we unravel the complex tapestry of remote team dynamics and reveal how to keep the collaborative spirit alive—even when you're miles apart. We dive into the struggle of maintaining that social butterfly energy in isolation, the art of communication without physical cues, and the bittersweet symphony of reuniting with colleagues after long spells of digital-only contact. Discover strategies to enhance your remote teamwork, ensuring that every virtual interaction is as meaningful and effective as if you were sharing a pot of coffee in the break room.
As we navigate the model laid out by Patrick Lencioni, you'll learn the secrets to constructing a team that's not just functional but exceptional. We dissect the stages of team development, emphasizing the pivotal role of trust, conflict management, and accountability—all while keeping our eyes on the prize: collective results. You'll walk away understanding how to foster an environment where respect and understanding serve as the catalysts for a team's evolution from storming to performing. This is a trove of insights for anyone who is part of a team, leading one, or looking to build one from scratch.
Are you ready to become the communication maestro of your team? Our final chapter doesn't just highlight the importance of dialogue—it gives you the baton to orchestrate it. We explore the profound impact of understanding your teammates beyond the screen, anticipating conflicts before they arise, and setting the stage for personal growth in a professional landscape. Learn how to bring your whole self to virtual meetings, engage actively, and contribute to a team culture that's as robust online as it is in person. So, tune in, turn up the volume, and get ready to amplify the harmony within your remote or hybrid team.
p.s. this was created by AI as a contrast to our 'handmade' Ep 171 description. Which do you prefer?
Duration:00:31:34
171. Tips for Maximising Remote Teamwork
2/8/2024
In this second episode of our 4-part series looking at Maximising Hybrid Working, we focus on how to enable effective teamwork. Whether fully remote, or mixing in working from home days with in-office days, successful teamwork makes the difference for sustaining success during the ups and downs of change or disruption, and for maintaining operational performance under pressure or setback.
Feeling part of a team impacts retention, seeing the energy and buzz from a good team influences attraction and how a team interacts behind the screens with each other is the workplace culture in reality. The stronger the team relationships, the more challenge, innovation and collaboration is possible. If no-one really knows each other, then they cant trust each other. And as we discuss with Lencioni's 5 Dysfunctions of a Team, trust is the foundation for team success. We share top tips for enabling trust to form when working hybrid - a 5 min check-in chat can transform the quality of conversation that happens. We revisit Tuckman's Team Dynamic Model and re-purpose Beckhard's GRIP model to give a handy 'strip it back to basics' approach for those looking to bring a fresh clarity and energy to a team:
Strategic: where are we heading as a team?
Tactical: what does this mean for our now and near focus areas?
Roles: who is doing what and does everyone know who the 'go-to' person is?
Interactions: how and when will we meet/catch up as a team - SLA of expectations?
Processes: how do we do what we do and is everyone clear (internal and external?)
A useful listen for those wanting to focus on the team effectiveness, culture and external reputation.
Curious? Check out our other relevant episodes:
Ep. 104 Enabling Team Agility (with the brilliant Agile Coach, Simon Caudwell)
Ep. 132 Book Club: Surrounded By Idiots? How to Work Well With People
Ep. 128 Teamship: Minimise Politics, Maximise Pace
Ep. 116 Relationships Last Longer Than Emails
Duration:00:31:34
170. Realistic Time Management for Hybrid Working
2/1/2024
Welcome to the first in our 4-part series looking at Maximising Hybrid Working. With nearly 50% of workers working in some kind of hybrid pattern, the trial period is now over. With hot topics such as life/work balance, handling workload, avoiding burnout and creating an engaged workforce, now is a good time to check in on any temporary workarounds, before they become permanent fixed habits. We discuss the top challenges to watch out for and how important it is to shift from idealistic, to realistic plans for what can be achieved in a hybrid working day.
We share our brand new SECURE set of top time management tips for hybrid working:
Set clear expectations for the day/week ahead
Establish a good routine
Communicate in advance
Use tech wisely (email is your tool to use, not the other way round)
Regularly review what you are doing
Empower yourself to set boundaries that work for you
A useful listen to check in with our own habits, plus practical tips for sharing with others
Curious? Check out our other relevant episodes:
Ep. 37 Reducing Pressure, Overwork and Overwhelm - with Lindsey Thompson-Wright
Ep. 89 Finding the Time to be Proactive
133. Book Club: 4000 Weeks - a Wake-Up Call for Time Management
Ep. 138 Restoring Life/Work Boundaries -with Jim The Coach Guy
Duration:00:30:29
169. Knowing Your Personal Saboteurs
1/25/2024
In this final part of our 4-part focus on Opportunity Mindset, we explore the concept of saboteurs - the things that can hold us back, sabotage our success and impact our confidence and overall sense of wellness and satisfaction in what we do. In all aspects of life, understanding how to ensure the things that motivate you (e.g. helping others) doesnt slip into the 'dark side' of self-sabotage (e.g. people-pleasing to the detriment of looking after yourself) we share tips for noticing, managing and adjusting to a happier healthier view of yourself. Useful for our own mindset, its a great framework to help others too. Lots of organisations are focusing on the benefits of kindness at work - and this is a practical way we can be kinder to ourselves and in turn to others (less judgement, more compassion).
We pick off the top 9 saboteurs - take a listen and see which one/s may be holding you back without even knowing you do it to yourself.
More info? We reference this site: www.positiveintelligence.com
Curious? Take a deeper dive in one of our relevant episodes:
Ep. 163 Empower Yourself to Shine
Ep. 142 Saying No in a Positive Way
Ep. 137 Keeping Well in a Corporate - a TA Perspective
Ep. 114 Savour Success for Self-Confidence
Duration:00:32:58
168. Creating an Abundant Mindset as a Team
1/18/2024
In the third of our 4-part series focusing on Opportunity Mindset, we discuss what having an abundant mindset as a team means in practice. Abundance can be described as the belief that success is possible and that there are no set limits to opportunity. This creates a team environment where people are happy for each other's success, celebrate each other's wins and genuinely set out to collaborate for a collective win. The challenge is to keep this mindset during times of hardship or setback.
A scarcity mindset is the belief that 'once it is gone, it is gone' and this lead to a team environment of gossip, negativity and setting out to compete for an individual win. Sometimes others in the team get a shout-out and acknowledgement and we wont - and that's ok. Part of being an adult is recognising that external factors are often out of our control; the one thing we can control is our mindset and our actions.
We discuss real life examples that team members and team leaders can try to lift and shift energy and bring 'opportunity' language to everyday conversations and meetings.
Curious? Take a deeper dive in one of our relevant episodes:
Ep. 143 Supercharge Your Self-Belief - Knowing What You Want
Ep. 131 Reducing Blame Within a Hybrid Team
Ep. 128 Teamship: Minimise Politics, Maximise Pace
Ep. 112 Managing Upwards: Who's "They"
Duration:00:28:45
167. Keeping Optimistic During Challenge
1/11/2024
In the second of our 4-part series focusing on Opportunity Mindset, we explore the concept of optimism and the impact this has on individual wellness, team morale and keeping successful and performing during challenge. Rather than a pretence of everything being rosy when its not, we look at practical tips for keeping optimistic and using language that enables a realistic approach that keeps us empowered and out of the victim mentality. The placebo effect is proven in health outcomes, so too the negative equivalent: nocebo effect. If we think this will be a 'bad' month we potentially could make it so. If we think it will be a 'demanding' month then we are already geared up to bring the energy required to handle the challenge.
Pessimism can be described as is a general outlook that the best has already happened and its downhill from now - this can impact morale and make future challenges feel impossible and meetings gloomy. Optimism is the general sense that the best is yet to come, that things will improve and at some point move on to a better place again. This creates an environment where challenge feels more possible, individuals feel more capable and meetings seem more hopeful. Will this be a good or bad year ahead for your team? You decide.
Curious? Take a deeper dive in one of our relevant episodes:
Ep. 55 Rough Seas? Make Time For You
Ep. 110 Gratitude Resets Your Attitude
Ep. 88 Keeping Energised During Challenges
Ep. 99 Summer School: O is For Optimism
Duration:00:27:29
166. Setting Motivating Goals
1/4/2024
In the first of our 4-part series focusing on Opportunity Mindset, we look at the ever-popular topic of setting goals. Goals need to come with a health-warning: when they are met they can be exhilarating and boost confidence and self-belief; if they are not met then it can be demoralising and depress our energy and self-esteem. We discuss the importance of setting goals that are appropriate to skill/resource level and the essential activity of reviewing first before setting any new goals. In order for goals to be motivating, you need to first know what motivates you, what will inspire you to keep focused and avoid derailing yourself. Taking 20 mins to reflect and review with our reflection questions means you can select your goals in a way that works for you. We then take you through the SPOT goal-setting tool (stetching and significant, positive, observable and timed). An ideal listen if you want to set or reset your goals in a meaningful, motivating and positive way. Good refresher for those who want to set motivating goals with their team for the year ahead.
Curious? Take a deeper dive with some of our past relevant episodes:
Ep. 71 Keeping Motivated Through Setbacks
Ep. 69 Self-Motivation - Shift Your View
Ep. 107 Keeping Motivated When the Chips Are Down
Ep. 119 Start as You Mean to Go On - Set Your Intent
Duration:00:32:32
165. The Stoic Approach for Success During Change
12/22/2023
In the final episode in our Sustaining Your Sparkle series we explore the ancient philosophies of the Stoics first documented over 2000 years ago. As the waves of change ripple around our workplaces and society as a whole, looking after ourselves and each other is almost a job in itself. Reframing setback is key to personal wellness and team morale.
The Stoics regarded obstacles as essential part of success, and a key ingredient of resilience as being able to handle obstacles, setbacks, failures and incidents. We share tips for handling the downs in life - to emerge confident and capable not in spite of setback – but because of it.
We take you on a guided reflection of the past year - and rather than downplaying the setbacks, its about recognising the skills gained as a result. As the Stoics believed, having to build the broken bridge equips us with the skills needed for the other side.
A good listen for those who have been through a lot this year in their role. As the Stoics believed: obstacles are not only to be expected but embraced as they are chances to test ourselves, learn and grow. They may not be comfortable, but every time we handle an obstacle we grow more capable.
Fancy a deeper dive? Check out our relevant episodes:
Ep.140. Keeping an Optimistic Mindset
Ep.135. Book Club - The Obstacle Is The Way - Stoics and The Advantage of Adversity
Ep.115 Savour Your Successes for Self-Confidence
Ep.86 Building Your Personal Resilience
Duration:00:37:46