When we think of impactful leaders, we often imagine people with a clear sense of direction, unwavering in their goals, and deeply committed to making a difference. But what gives these leaders their remarkable strength and resilience? The answer often lies in one powerful element: personal vision. What is Personal Vision? Personal vision is the clear, intentional picture of the leader you aspire to become and the impact you want to have. It goes beyond simply setting goals or having career ...

The best presenters are, at their core, masterful storytellers. They have an uncanny ability to weave narratives that captivate, inform, and inspire their audiences. Whether it's a boardroom presentation, a keynote speech, or a team meeting, storytelling transforms ordinary presentations into engaging experiences. Stories evoke emotions, create connections, and make complex information relatable and memorable. The 5 Cs of great storytelling that every presenter should master are: Circumstances, ...

Winston Churchill once said, “Success is stumbling from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm.”   The problem is that enthusiasm can be hard to come by, especially when yours has taken a beating. Setbacks and disappointments have a way of knocking it down. We start doubting ourselves and lose sight of who we are. Without confidence, it becomes impossible to try, guaranteeing failure.   Thankfully, we know one thing for sure: confidence can be reclaimed, as every ...

Like many of my fellow Scots, I felt huge disappointment as Scotland exited the Euros on Sunday. My initial emotion was a mixture of sadness and frustration—a sentiment familiar to anyone who has deeply invested their heart and hopes into something. However, as a leadership coach, I recognise that these moments of disappointment are great lessons not just for athletes but for anyone in a leadership role. Here are 3 strategies to help you navigate the inevitable disappointments you'll face ...

Acknowledge Your Achievements: Keep a journal of your accomplishments, both big and small. Reflecting on your successes can boost confidence and remind you of your capabilities. Set Realistic Goals: Break down large goals into smaller, manageable tasks. Achieving these smaller goals can provide a sense of accomplishment and build momentum. Positive Self-Talk: Replace negative thoughts with positive affirmations. Remind yourself of your strengths and past successes to reinforce a ...

Are you tired of sending out countless applications and hearing nothing back? Imagine getting your dream job without the endless cycle of rejection. LinkedIn isn't just a social network—it's your secret weapon for landing that perfect role. Here’s how you can leverage it to unlock unparalleled career opportunities. 1. Showcase Your Unique Value Your LinkedIn profile is more than an online CV—it's a dynamic platform to showcase your skills, achievements, and professional ...

Thinking That Just Being 'On' LinkedIn is Enough: Assuming that a LinkedIn profile is sufficient for networking and career advancement without actively engaging with the platform and its users to create opportunities. Not Having a Goal: Failing to define clear objectives and outcomes for their presence on LinkedIn, leading to aimless engagement and missed opportunities for networking, branding, or lead generation. Engaging with the Wrong People: Spending time and effort interacting ...

4 Exercises to Cultivate Empathy Have you ever found yourself in this situation? A colleague reaches out to you, expressing that she's facing emotional challenges. You inquire about the situation, and she shares her struggles, whether from her actions or external factors. In that moment, you deeply resonate with her emotions. Perhaps you've encountered a similar situation, and memories of those feelings flood back, allowing you to empathise with her perspective. If you've ever felt a strong ...

Procrastinating: Don't put off your job search – start as soon as possible to maximise your chances of success. Neglecting Networking: Don't underestimate the power of networking – it's often the key to uncovering hidden job opportunities. Being Passive: Don't wait for job openings to come to you – be proactive in seeking out opportunities and making connections. Neglecting Your LinkedIn Profile: Don't overlook the importance of having a strong LinkedIn profile – it's ...

Being "promotion ready" in an organisation means more than just meeting the basic requirements of your current role. It involves actively cultivating the skills, mindset, and relationships needed to take on increased responsibility and leadership.  The decision makers in your organisation need to have confidence that you're ready - so it's up to you to show them that you are. Imagine yourself at the next level now and start embodying the qualities and behaviours associated with that ...

Embracing the opportunity to showcase your value authentically isn't about boasting; it's about confidently owning your accomplishments and demonstrating your worth with humility and integrity.​it's a critical skill that highlights your contributions and leadership potential within an organisation and to your external network.Here are some top tips on how to do this effectively. Quantify Your Achievements: Provide specific examples of your accomplishments and quantify them wherever ...

In the world of professional networking and career advancement, the age-old adage "It's not what you know, it's who you know" has long been touted as a guiding principle. While connections and relationships certainly play a significant role in success, personal branding is another crucial factor that often goes overlooked. Your personal brand is more than just a catchy tagline And it's more than a polished LinkedIn profile – it's the sum total of how you present yourself, how others perceive ...

The best leaders in the world recognise that they are their most valuable asset and worth investing in. They recognise that in order to lead others effectively, they must first invest in their own growth and development. They dedicate time, resources, and energy to continuously honing their skills, expanding their knowledge, and evolving as individuals.These leaders cultivate the confidence, resilience, and vision needed to navigate complex challenges and inspire those around them by investing ...

Developing mental toughness is crucial for thriving in the face of life's challenges, achieving your goals, and leading a fulfilling and successful life. Resilience allows you to bounce back more effectively from setbacks, failures, change, and adversity.  ▶️ Here are nine ways to develop the mental fortitude to navigate life's challenges with resilience and strength. 1.    Practice Positive ThinkingCultivate a positive mindset by focusing on what you can control and ...

Think positively, and everything will be okay, right? Maybe so, and maybe not. A positive thinker stepping off a cliff will have a bad day. This isn't some miracle device for creating a perfect life experience. While that's true, it is incredibly powerful if you want to experience less stress and more positive emotions.   Positive Thinking Makes You Less Critical   When you criticise others, you needlessly promote stress and anxiety. Being optimistic tells you that if something ...

You negotiate every day with yourself and with others. Your primary goal is to satisfy any conditions that will protect your best interests. Your counterpart across the negotiating table feels the same way.  Here are some proven methods for tilting the odds in your favour regardless of the negotiation you are facing. 1.    Discover your BATNAYour best alternative to a negotiated agreement (BATNA), or backup plan, must be as attractive as possible. This is the path you take if ...

Tips to Help Shape Your Leadership Vision Elon Musk is often described as a visionary - love him or hate him! While not all leaders are concerned with making commercial space travel a reality, they have their visions. How can you effectively shape your vision as a leader? If you want to achieve something, how do you know it's right for you? How do you broadcast that vision? Any vision begins with a desired result. That's all a vision is where leadership is concerned. You are viewing a future ...

Discovering Your Leadership Style   Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson has a hands-off leadership style. Instead of letting his dyslexia affect him as a young man, a condition he still deals with today, he let it guide how he decided to run his companies. By his own admission, he surrounds himself with people who are smarter and more capable than him.   It certainly works for the British billionaire. The Virgin Group employs 60,000 people and controls over 400 companies in ...

Shouting out to some incredible women! A celebration on International Women's Day

Top Tips to Craft Memorable Presentations You don't have to be a public speaking veteran to give a great speech. Here are five tips for developing a speech your audience will remember and enjoy. Open Strong Your audience is most receptive during your opening. Make it strong. Get their attention and have a backup plan. Observe your audience closely and see how they respond to your initial opening. If they look attentive, keep going. If not, have a backup plan you can transition to. You can share ...