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.

Strengths are the fuel that makes work feel energising rather than draining. When you take your strengths from good to great, and then from great to extraordinary, you not only stand out in your career, you also feel more confident, motivated and fulfilled.

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.

Can you talk about why your brand is so strong or great? Do you even have a personal brand? And why is it so important? Find out more...

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

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

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.

You don't have to be an expert. You can be a highly successful generalist. And it's perfectly normal to be interested in - and good at - lots of different things.

Make networking easier by knowing how to ask great questions and make someone feel interested in what you have to say.

How many of us are good at faking active listening whilst our brains rush to devise solutions we can offer as advice? Two hard but vital lessons for me in my career have been to stop my brain racing and listen and think about the best solution, not the first solution.

Why questions create space to explore our motivation, assumptions, reasons and purpose - and challenge accepted thinking.

There is a powerful correlation between mindfulness and building confidence, especially so in an ever-busier world where change is hitting us with terminal velocity and being heard is increasingly difficult. Slowing down and being more aware of your brain and emotions boosts your confidence.

How do you discover what motivates you? And how do you make that work to your advantage? I used to think I lacked discipline because I only got motivated when deadlines loomed. But I learned I’m not lazy, I’m externally motivated. Some people thrive on routine, others on novelty or achievement. Once you understand your own style, you can build systems that work with your rhythm instead of against it.

How do you feed your concentration? We have different ways of working and there is more than one way to achieve a result. Understand how your brain works and work with, not against it.

When you’re trying to be involved in everything, working excessively to try and clear that (unending) to-do list or be all things to all people, you will inevitably miss something. It can be hard to let go. But if you don't focus, you are diluting your impact, attention and energy.

Stress is a fact of life and being stressed, feeling stressed, is a choice. How we react, how we manage our mental health and how we choose our perspective are our choice - even if we feel like we have no control.

Perfect Presentations Tip 3 – The 4Ps covers the steps you need to take to develop your skills, build competence and confidence and deliver impactful presentations.

We are programmed to think the grass is greener elsewhere, but is it? The grass grows greenest where you water it, so before you look with envy at what others have, look at what is already in your grasp.

Speaking up is a critical career tool. It's no good having ideas and opinions if you can't articulate and share them. Use these practical tools to help you learn how to speak up.