The question is

Here is another podcast that examines the questions that regularly arise in our work. This time, Richard and Ricky consider why managers might avoid some of the more big (difficult) conversations that are needed between manager and team members. Often, senior managers assume that these conversations are happening, only to find out as issues escalate that a culture of over-politeness or hoping thin...

In this podcast, Paul and Richard tackle one of the questions we have been asked a lot since the pandemic ended - How do you build trust between team members and teams that don't spend that much time in the office. Building trust between individuals and groups is far more complex than many of us realise because we do it so easily when we are together.   We build trusting relationships through the...

The coaching question in this podcast might not be as common as others we have covered, but it is one we can personally relate to. Regardless of your role or expertise, there are times when we give it our all, putting everything we have to get something over the line, then we reset to the start and have to go again. Sales targets reset each year, project manager complete their delivery only to get...

This episode continues our series of common topics from coaching conversations.  In this episode, Paul and Graham consider the idea of 'people pleasing' - being helpful to the point of thier own detriment.   From understanding the difference between helpfulness and people pleasing, through to how to say no to the boss, Graham and Paul talk about what might be driving some of these behaviours and s...

As we continue our mini-series of common topics from coaching conversations, in this podcast, Ricky and Paul explore why sometimes people feel drained at work, leaving them with an overall feeling of being tired. Clearly, at times, we can all burn the candle at both ends, but in coaching situations, this is often a sign of something deeper going on.  From doing work that is draining to the uninten...

As part of our series of questions often raised in coaching conversations, in this episode of The Question Is, Paul and Graham explore the often asked, without ever being actually said, question: How do I know if I should change roles? Being ready to move on from your current role can be challenging. From not feeling like you have finished what you needed to do in the role to not feeling ready for...

Every leadership role you undertake is slightly different.  Different people, different problems, different cultures, maybe just a different time and place.  Our ability to lead can be as much about the context or situation we find ourselves in as it is the skills we bring to the party! As part of our series of questions commonly raised in our coaching practice, Ricky and Paul explore the situatio...

Feedback has been described as the breakfast of champions, but giving feedback can be one of the toughest things we have to do, with many people avoiding giving feedback if they possibly can. In this, another podcast in our series of questions from coaching conversations, Ricky and Graham focus on why some people find it so difficult to give good feedback and how developing your technique around f...

Paul and Graham tackle saying no in this latest episode of the podcast where we look at the questions that are frequently raised in coaching sessions.  Saying no, especially to the boss, is one of the things most of us find hard to do. From the desire to say yes to the mindset that makes it okay to say no when that is the right thing to do, this episode explores all the aspects of saying no and of...

There is an old saying in business psychology: People rarely leave a company; they normally leave a manager!  Not all bosses are good bosses, yet at the same time, not all bosses people think are bad are really bad bosses. Sometimes what appears as a difficult boss, is actually a different style that evokes a reaction from some of the people working for them.  Sometimes though, it is the managers...

Continuing with our series of podcasts exploring questions that come up during coaching sessions, this podcast builds on episode 131, this time looking at how you find your purpose in life (not just work). In this episode, Ricky and Graham, chat about life's purpose, talking through the different areas of life, and the different things that motivate us in life.  They have a really open and honest...

Most of us spend over a third of our time at work - until we get to retire!  Next to sleep is the part of our life that we spend the most time doing, yet often, we have no idea why we are there or what we are trying to achieve.   Yeah, we are there for the money, and that means hitting some goals, but is that enough? What makes work meaningful? What is our 'ripple on the universe'?  Without a clea...

Continuing our journey into the questions that often come up in coaching sessions, in this podcast Richard and Paul explore how success in demanding jobs and work-life balance often can seem incompatible. Creating balance is a popular topic, with no end of articles and influencers talking about the tricks to create balance, or the sacrifices required to be successful.  However, the topic is more n...

Uncertainty has become a very present factor of modern working life, yet almost all of us crave certainty and spend a lot of our time and effort working very hard to create as much of it as we can.  Only to find that uncertainty often wins out! In this podcast, part of a mini-series looking at the questions and topics that often come up in coaching sessions, Richard and Paul dive into the world of...

Another podcast in our mini series exploring some of the questions that come up in coaching sessions, in this episode of the podcast, Richard and Paul discuss the questions that is asked without ever being asked, what are my values? Values are at the heart of behaviours, driving both purpose and actions. Yet, we are often oblivious to them and their impact on our decisions and perceptions of the w...

Sometimes (at work) we get a little lost.  Maybe our actions are not working, our dreams suddenly appear unattainable, or we become disconnected from the purpose.  It may happen slowly over time or can be a sudden upheaval when things around us change. It can be very disconcerting to feel lost, yet many of us experience it at some point. As coaches, we are frequently asked the question, 'What's th...

Continuing our series of podcasts that explore the most common questions asked in coaching sessions, Rob and Paul explore the very common topic of time in this podcast.  A range of time questions come up, all of which centre around the genuine issue of having more things to do than the time available. Time management skills are essential to modern working but are only part of the story.  Most of u...

Let's face it, none of us really love getting feedback.  We know it is important, and helps us grow,  It is also hard to hear sometimes and often badly delivered.  Sometimes, it feels like it is easier to not be told, even though we know that is not really the right answer! This podcast is part of a series based on the questions that come up the most in coaching sessions. In this episode, Rob and...

We are back with new podcasts for 2024, and we are starting the year with some of the questions that we get asked as coaches.    In this episode, Rob and Paul explore the question most new leaders ask themselves: What makes me worthy of being a leader? There are several reasons why people pose this question, from self-doubt, to seeing the capability of others (while not seeing our own strengths) o...

There are moments, often, when we hit milestones that symbolise the end of something (like the end of a year), that we stop and take a moment to look back.  These moments are opportunities to reflect, to learn and to prepare to start again. Yet, in work, these moments are missed as we jump from project to project, urgent task to urgent task.  Urgency getting in the way of growth, learning and, mos...

It is that time of year, when we start to reflect on the year and promise ourselves that next year will be different.  Next year, we will be fitter, healthier, more successful and just so much better.  Sadly, for most of us, New Year's Resolutions have the nasty habit of fading away as life pushes us back to old habits and practices. So, what if this is the year? What if there is something that yo...

In this podcast, Rob and Ricky don their capes and div e into the world of stellar communication.  (what they get up to in their own time is up to them!) What does it take to be a true communication superhero in an era riddled with distractions, impatience, and information overload?   Being an effective communicator isn't just about conveying messages; it's about understanding, connecting, and mak...

Rob and Ricky as they d ive headfirst into the intricate web of common communication pitfalls that leave many of us scratching our heads, wondering, "Where did that go wrong?"   Have you e ver sat through a meeting and thought it was a complete waste of time? We explore the impact of poorly conducted meetings - how they not only drain our time but also our energy and productivity. We've all been t...

With an alarming statistic revealing that a staggering 70% of errors in the workplace can be traced back to miscommunication, it's no wonder that businesses are feeling the pinch. Dive deeper , and you'll find that poor communication ranks as the number one concern for a majority of businesses, overshadowing even financial concerns or market competition.   But what really happens when communicatio...

Did you know that, according to a Forbes (March 2023), only about a third of companies believe they communicate effectively?   In this episode, Rob and Ricky dive into the complex realm of communication, a skill so integral yet so frequently misinterpreted. They explore why most companies fail to communicate effectively and share some of the stumbling blocks hindering effective communication.  Con...