Research shows that having positive habits & routines enables us to put conscious energy into the things we love doing.

Thinking about when it’s important to challenge tradition or authority in order to bring about change for the better.

As I like to say, ‘wonky hormones aren’t the preserve of the teenager’ and while many women may experience hormonal changes as a result of pregnancy, EVERY woman goes through the menopause at some point.

No one knew what a podcast was until fairly recently.  They’ve only really grown in popularity of late, and I am a relative late-comer to them, only starting to listen in earnest over the last 3 years or so on my morning walks.  And now, I wouldn’t be without them.

This week’s ‘Bright Thought’ blog is provided by our first guest, Karen Quinn.

I love the new energy and hopefulness September always brings. And while I also love my work, I’m grateful to have taken some time over the summer to re-energise, re-balance and get ready to go again!

As leaders, it’s important to remember that however passionate we are about our work, and however much of a vocation we feel for our work, we are so much more than just our jobs. 

Inclusivity in the workplace is a moral and business imperative, and leaders have a responsibility to promote diverse workplaces where everyone can be at their best.

This Jubilee weekend my leadership thoughts turn to service – and taking a break for some fun! 

Leaders make many important decisions, all of which have an impact upon those around them.  What we do, and don’t do, say and don’t say, notice and don’t notice, decide and don’t decide says a lot about what is important to us.

Virtual contact has been useful, necessary and convenient, but the most pleasurable aspect of my last month has been meeting people in the flesh at the conferences and schools I’ve been to, and it’s the conversations I’ve had in the margins that have provided the difference and extra spark.

“Clear is Kind, Unclear is Unkind” is something that resonates with me, and gives me courage in tough situations.

As leaders, making the most of everyone’s unique strengths and experience is essential.  It makes business sense – so many reports show that a more diverse workforce makes economic sense - as well as being an ethical, values driven imperative.

The last two weeks my thinking has very much been around having clarity over what drives us, why we do what we do and how we do it best.  So I thought the time was right to punctuate these thoughts with a bit of explanation around what drives me, why I do what I do, and how I do it…

Amplifying what is great within us will accelerate us faster than fixing what we think limits us.  Reminding ourselves of how we behave when we’re at our best can help us during those more difficult times.

In his book so named, Simon Sinek advocates ‘Start with Why?’.  He argues that lots of people and companies know what they are doing, many understand how they are doing it, but fewer still understand and can articulate why they are doing it, their key purpose, their ‘North Star’.

Who do you trust?  Family?  Friends?  Your co-workers?  How far does your trust extend? Even more widely to community members, local and national governments or perhaps some global organisations?  Reflecting upon this question myself gives rise to some conflicting feelings.

Never before have Covey’s Circles of Concern and of Influence been so helpful to me in managing my feelings.  My circle of concern is pretty overwhelming currently – and perhaps yours is too?

“Courage and Fear are not mutually exclusive”