How to deal with difficult people
Record-breaking webinar for Nottingham University students and alumni on a challenging topic that is as relevant to those in the early stages of their careers as it is to those in more senior managerial and leadership positions. We had 1000 subscribers, many pre-submitted questions and 350 live participants!
How do you know if it's the right job for you?
"Career Health Chats" : new 10-minute episodes discussing common questions we regularly ask ourselves as we manage our careers. When is a job right or not right? How and when do we make that assessment? What should that be based on? We discuss a couple of frameworks that may help.
What are my best and worst career decisions?
"Career Health Chats" : Stepsero getting personal for the first time - asking me about my own best and worst career decisions. We discussed how to identify the characteristics you have when operating at your best to broaden the scope of potential career options open to you. It's important to realise that you work this out in the journey. There is no perfect job on day one!
Can tough conversations help?
Managing the amygdala's "fight or flight" response is key to ensuring that our prefrontal cortex engages - the part of our brain where reasoning, decision-making and moderating social behaviour operates. Focus on the desired outcome, listen and validate the other person's perspective and restate the solution discussed.
How do you build effective teams?
It was my pleasure, in my new role as an Entrepreneur-in-Residence, to present a Roundtable at the Ingenuity Lab of Nottingham Business School on the important topic of how to build effective teams. Great engagement from smart students, with insightful and fair challenges. The future of leadership is in good hands!
Do Values Matter?
Values matter but actions speak louder than words. Not being self-righteous and avoiding a victim mentality allow you to understand the broader context for any perceived values misalignment. You can then better protect your own well being and sustain your career progression. A sense of fun goes a long way!

Speaking Up - What's Stopping you?
Speaking up is central to career advancement. Whether it is to share an opinion or in order to effect organisational change, it requires preparation, relationship building, tact, supporting evidence and a solution-focused approach. Enlist, prepare and centre!