Really Useful Conversations

Neurodiversity Celebration Week is a worldwide initiative that challenges stereotypes and misconceptions about neurological differences, aiming to transform how neurodivergent individuals are perceived and supported while creating more inclusive and equitable cultures that celebrate differences and empower every individual. To mark the Celebration Week, my conversation with James Eves, Captain of...

For International Women's Day THIS YEAR and beyond, we are being encouraged to #EmbraceEquity and in this week's podcast I take a quick look at equity versus equality and why this matters, as well as touching on some significant reasons why we need to be pushing for equity in the workplace, and some examples of issues that demonstrate the importance of this. Join me and let me know what you think...

For the last three decades I have had the opportunity to work across a vast range of industry sectors, from television through to the NHS, from the Fire Service to High Street Retailers and my experience over that time reinforces just how much leadership approach influences climate, some research says it is the SINGLE BIGGEST INFLUENCE – and I have to say, I am inclined to agree! So it makes sense...

Following the report of McDonald's signing up to a commitment to deal with claims of sexual harassment in the workplace, this week we take a look at what needs to be present for people to feel safe to speak out and challenge where appropriate. This question takes us along the route of exploring leadership contributions, creating the right climate and having a strong foundation of psychological saf...

I am a BIG fan of open, honest, frank dialogue and so initiatives such as Time to Talk Day - which is the nation's biggest mental health conversation run by Mind and Rethink Mental Illness – is something I would naturally support. If you are not familiar with Time to Talk Day, it's described as a day for friends, families, communities, and workplaces to come together to talk, listen and change liv...

For the last 23 years my purpose has been to help people have conversations in the workplace that matter. Whether dealing with a performance issue or supporting a colleague in distress, conversations really do matter and I have found that people are often reluctant to have conversations where there are more "sensitive topics" and so to stay safe, shy away. One such conversation that people often f...

Often when we want to make things better, be that our mental health, our physical health or even our financial health, we look for big shiny, sexy, hairy audacious goals to aim for. In this week's episode I am encouraging you to do yourself a favour and concentrate on the tiny little things, done consistently and well, that will make a longer lasting difference. Often when I run workshops on menta...

TRIGGER WARNING: This episode contains discussion around the subject of suicide and suicidal thoughts, please skip this episode if this topic is likely to cause uncomfortable emotions for you. Please DO talk to a professional if suicide is a topic currently on your mind - there is always someone prepared to listen. Samaritans provide an excellent listening service 24/7 and you can contact them on...

In this week's Really Useful Conversations podcast, my own experiences over the Christmas break remind me of a very important part of conversations - the language that we choose and use and the way in which we deliver them. I often joke with people about "not what you do but the way that you do it" when it comes to excellent communication, but this is a really poignant reminder of the power of lan...

It's the most wonderful time of the year, according to the song that keeps getting played - but actually what if, for you, it really is not? Lots of people are telling me that the Christmas spirit has not caught up with them yet and others are sharing stories of challenging situations that mean this really is NOT the most wonderful time at all. Following a tough year with a cost of living crisis,...

In this episode we recognise the importance of having conversations that matter, whether with colleagues, clients, suppliers or the boss. So often we are our own worst enemy and fail to speak up and not only does this impact on our career but also our well-being and mental health. Whether exploring perception v reality, transactional analysis or the wonderful Bananarama - there's an offer here for...

Join me for a Really Useful Conversation this week with Anna Meller, who, following an early corporate career in HR Anna has spent the past 25 years working as a consultant, researcher and writer. Her specialist focus is on flexible, remote and new ways of working and the future of work. Anna works with employers to create new working cultures and practices that support wellbeing, inclusion and wo...

I make no secret of my journey to and from the bottom of the narrow, dark tunnel and have never hidden the work I tried to do around that time to keep myself safe, or forgotten the people that kept me alive - but if I had known then what I know NOW, I reckon my life would have been sooooo much better and easier! I might not even have got to the desperate point of intending to end my life and maybe...

Menopause isn't just hot flushes and night sweats - in fact the majority of women report that the cognitive, emotional and psychological symptoms are often far more debilitating. Anxiety, depression, lingering sadness and even an increased risk of suicidal thoughts. This is a Really Useful Conversation we need to be having and information that needs to be better known and understood. If you're a W...

In a world where everything moves at pace and where twists and turns are around each corner, organisations who take care of their people and truly value and invest in wellbeing will triumph in this competitive labour market. Whether they are upskilling their managers to have conversations that matter about subjects such as mental health, wellbeing, menopause or investing in appointed persons as We...

Pam Brown works in the very male dominated financial services industry and when menopausal symptoms began she started avoiding meetings, questioning her confidence, declining invitations and felt like sitting in the corner with a bucket on her head, literally crying over spilt milk. She's since been nominated for Women's Industry Recognition Awards, climbed Ben Nevis and is in training for a half...

This month is a busy month for me and my business. World Mental Health Day and Menopause Awareness Month are two initiatives designed to keep the conversations going about these two very important topics. The theme for WMHD is around mental health and wellbeing for all as a GLOBAL priority - but before we go global, let's check out our own back yard first and as for the menopause, we need to push...

So often people are familiar with the issue of the number of men who take their own lives - particularly middle aged men and the fact that 75% of deaths by suicide in the UK are male. However, not everyone is as aware of the significant increase over recent years in young female suicide. During a recent workshop I ran, a lot of people were curious as to what reason there could be for this and we c...

One of the common myths around the sensitive subject of suicide is that people who attempt suicide or die by suicide are all mentally ill. Now mental illness can indeed play a part, it can be a risk factor, but not everyone who is mentally ill will die by suicide, just as not everyone who dies by suicide is mentally ill! There are a whole host of factors which often create a complex combination of...

I never intended to be away from podcast land for so long but projects, work, life got in the way - but I am delighted to be back, bringing more opportunities for people to get comfortable with the uncomfortable and have conversations that matter. I believe there are Seven Significant Conversations that all managers, leaders and business owners need to be able to have yet we sometimes shy away fro...

After 30 episodes of what I am told is excellent content, Season One comes to a close and I am taking a breather. Chance to pause, reflect and see what we need to have a Really Useful Conversation about next. What do you think??

After 30 episodes of what I am told is excellent content, Season One comes to a close and I am taking a breather. Chance to pause, reflect and see what we need to have a Really Useful Conversation about next. What do you think??

For the last 22 years I have been helping managers across every sector to have difficult conversations in the workplace. Whether around poor performance, absence, conduct or capability, managers need to be able to have Crucial Conversations that matter. To celebrate my 22nd Anniversary in business, this episode is all about how to have those conversations - starting from it's original Tough Talk w...

Conversations can change organisations; develop relationships, improve standards, increase results – conversations can even save lives and this week in the UK, on Thursday 3rd Feb, it is Time to Talk Day. Run by Mind and Rethink Mental Illness, Time to Talk Day is the nation's biggest mental health conversation so I thought it only right that this weeks Really Useful Conversations podcast episode...

Covid and the instruction to "work from home" thrust a lot of companies into hybrid working for the first time, with little chance to prepare or set good foundations in place and as hybrid seems to be now much more popular with people, I had a Really Useful Conversation with Gary Cook, author of HR for Hybrid Working, and we talked about what organisations might need to now do differently, how the...