ARTICLES

Demanding change from people rarely works. If it happens, it’s done begrudgingly and inevitably will not last. That is the stick, forcing change with threats. What is far more effective is the carrot, enticing change with the promise of reward. But whichever approach you take, behavioural change hinges on making what you want appealing enough to induce a sustainable change in behaviour.

Understanding how to say no effectively is a critical career and communication skill. Use this bridging technique to help you.

Positive role models, representation and good mentors are vital in life and for career success. Think about how, as a mentor, you can have a powerful, useful and inspiring impact. Build your legacy and give back in a meaningful way.

‘Trust your gut’ is common advice when we are faced with a decision. But why would we do that? What does our gut know (intuitively) that our conscious self doesn’t? Perhaps more than we know. Gut instinct comes from the connection between your gut and your brain, bringing everything you know, like, believe and feel together, which is why you should trust it in real-world situations.

Career journeys are rarely a neat and tidy story, moving along a single onward line. If your plan is too fixed, there is no space for seizing opportunities as they appear, and trying new things to see where they take you.

There’s a lot to think about when you start a new job, a hundred things, big and small, that you don’t know but need to learn very quickly. Some things you can plan for, some you can’t. But there is one sure-fire way to make yourself unpopular and set you back on your path to success and it happens more times than it should - coming on too strong and trying too hard.

A lack of confidence can be a very real barrier to career success and being fulfilled at work. It might stop you from putting yourself forward for opportunities, voicing your ideas or pulling back when faced with a new or challenging situation. It can also hinder how well you ‘sell’ yourself in interviews. For those who lack confidence and experience low self-esteem, there are things you can do to help you feel more confident. Here are the five steps I recommend.

You aren’t stupid or lacking because you can’t get unstuck in your career. Resistance is real. That’s why coaching helps. It lends another perspective, helps you recognise what is holding you back and what the scary really is - and how to tackle it. If you feel stuck, why not try tackling the problem with someone who knows how to help you, someone who can reach out the hand that will help you scramble up and over the barrier and stop you bashing your face against it.

Are you overlooking or downplaying the skills, strengths, knowledge and experience that make you good at your job? Do you take for granted that people know what you are good at? If you’re struggling to understand what you’re good at or find it hard to articulate your strengths, then a session of Career Therapy will help you.

Working isn’t just ‘doing’. Working is allowing your brain to process information and generate fresh thinking.

Successfully asking for a pay rise isn’t about money. Of course, it is about money, but there’s far more to it than the figure itself. Use this simple, structured approach that is proven to work.

Over-apologising, saying sorry excessively, can be damaging, undermining a woman’s confidence, authority and credibility.

Is your glass half full, or half empty. Choosing to see the positive opens up possibilities and helps you build confidence and resilience. Thinking about how our brains work and how we change our behaviours, there is sound data to suggest that we can change how we perceive the world and react to it. By making a conscious choice to do or not do something and repeating that positive choice starts to create a habit, build momentum and seed more positivity.

Taking time to time is vital to work (and live) well-being. It allows us to generate fresh ideas and use our time strategically.

Confidence isn’t fixed — it’s flexible and shaped by context, experience, and mindset. If it can be lost, it can be rebuilt. Confidence grows through action, self-awareness, and reframing fear. It’s not who you are, it’s how you choose to show up. And it’s always reclaimable.

Our confidence understandably grows when we perceive we have control over what is happening. Conversely, that confidence shrinks when we feel like things are happening beyond our control and, even worse, get ‘out of control’. We feel more confident when we are in control because we know what we are doing and what is expected. We know we have the knowledge/skills/resources required by the situation.

Wondering ‘what if’ isn’t a bad thing. In fact, using analysis of factors and outcomes helps us play through different aspects of a situation, find novel/better options and generate new insights. Asking ‘what if’ opens a door to possibilities. What’s the worst that can happen? What if you did make the wrong choice? It could happen, but you would deal with it because we are also hardwired to survive. And you’d have learned something you could use to make better future decision

Connect with and articulate your passion in a way that is authentic to you so you can be happy and productive in your career.

Do you warm up before you run? Stretch as you start a yoga session? Ever thought of doing that before an interview? If not, why not? It could give you the edge. Even with the most diligent preparations for content, about 80% of the time, clients hit their stride after 20-30 minutes, which is too late on the day to make a good impression. Warm up and be ready to GO with my top tips and practical actions.

How do you know if you really want to leave your job? How deeply have you thought about this - and the practicalities? To truly understand what is fuelling your desire to leave and to stand a chance of making the right decision, there are steps you can take to put yourself in the best possible position - before you take the leap!