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What a difference a day makes!

2021-06-24T16:39:59+01:00

As we think about the enormity of what is happening to the world at the moment, it is easy to forget that the Easter Bank holiday is rapidly approaching for us here in the UK. This holiday usually results in a mass exodus as many of us have been planning, then preparing to pack and travel on short breaks maybe overseas or to the coast, the hills or meeting friends and family. For others it will be a time for prayer and reflection, whilst for the younger generation it is generally Easter egg hunts, egg painting and a massive overdose [...]

What a difference a day makes!2021-06-24T16:39:59+01:00

The Growth Mindset: How our beliefs can sabotage or encourage our success! By Guest Blogger Camille Lamouille, Elveor

2020-07-08T21:13:04+01:00

« I did not fail. I just found 10,000 solutions that do not work. » – Thomas Edison – During a recent spring cleanup with my family, we ran into my sister’s primary report cards in a closet. If they were actually quite good, I was strongly challenged by the comments of his teachers – she salutes by the way! These emphasized only the lack, the failure, the gaps. The positive comments were constantly followed by a “but Margaux has the ability to do better”. Thus, only the intellectual abilities were valued, not the efforts made. If I tell you [...]

The Growth Mindset: How our beliefs can sabotage or encourage our success! By Guest Blogger Camille Lamouille, Elveor2020-07-08T21:13:04+01:00

How long is your ‘now’? by guest blogger Dr Sarah Robins-Hobden

2020-07-08T21:13:04+01:00

Anxiety is a focus on the future, and rumination is a focus on the past. That means the only time we can meaningfully exist is the now – the present time. But what is the scope of the ‘now’, and what are its limits? Today? This minute, this second? I think we can choose, I think it is however long we want it to be. If you slice and dice your ‘now’ into micro-thin wafers of time, then you shorten your present, and sacrifice the every-decreasing offcuts by allocating them either to the past or the future. This creates an [...]

How long is your ‘now’? by guest blogger Dr Sarah Robins-Hobden2020-07-08T21:13:04+01:00

‘Better the balance, better the world’

2020-07-08T21:13:06+01:00

Over 20 years ago I was fortunate enough to take part in the Springboard Women’s Personal Development Programme. At that time I was an engineer working for BT, one of the first users of the Springboard programme. I became part of a cohort of 80 women supported to undertake this award-winning programme that has been running for nearly 30 years and is now delivered in more than 47 countries globally. The programme provided a platform for my development, an opportunity to learn, insights from female leaders and provided a network of fellow ‘Springboarders’ to enable and challenge. Fast forward to [...]

‘Better the balance, better the world’2020-07-08T21:13:06+01:00

Your go-to space-maker – the most assertive thing you can do? By Guest Blogger Dr Sarah Robins-Hobden

2020-07-08T21:13:07+01:00

Taking the time and headspace to make a more considered response is one of the most assertive things you can do. Be kind to your future self, and try this. Maybe you’ve read a lot about assertiveness techniques, practiced some assertive conversation starters. You’ve spent time working out your desired outcome, and how you’ll handle it if you don’t get what you want (and if you do!). You are getting better at choosing assertive behaviours when it matters to you. Then something happens that you weren’t expecting: someone puts you on the spot, or you are asked a question you [...]

Your go-to space-maker – the most assertive thing you can do? By Guest Blogger Dr Sarah Robins-Hobden2020-07-08T21:13:07+01:00

What if you don’t hit ‘snooze’? By guest blogger Sarah Robins-Hobden

2020-07-08T21:13:07+01:00

The morning alarm. Sometimes when my alarm goes off, I just don’t feel like it. I hit snooze. Perhaps I’m tired. Maybe I’m postponing something I don’t want to do. Sometimes, when the alarm goes off again, I’ll hit snooze. Again. Honestly, there have been occasions when I’ve hit snooze several times. The idea alarm. Sometimes I have an idea. Maybe for a workshop, maybe a solution to a problem, or a new home project. It seems a good one. I dare to be excited by the prospect. I hit ‘snooze’ on it. Sometimes, when the idea comes back later, [...]

What if you don’t hit ‘snooze’? By guest blogger Sarah Robins-Hobden2020-07-08T21:13:07+01:00

Keeping the Focus and Enthusiasm by Guest Blogger Julia Ffoulkes

2020-07-08T21:13:08+01:00

As I returned to work from the Christmas/New Year break I found trying to muster the energy up to get back into work and perform at a high level somewhat difficult.  I think and reminisce of mince pies and over-drinking, and basically eating everything in sight had left me feeling depressed and unenthusiastic about anything. Working for Royal Mail your period of rest and relaxation over Christmas is limited to a very small window as you can imagine, and living with a Mail Centre Manager from the business whom lives and breathes Christmas 24/7 during the period of November to [...]

Keeping the Focus and Enthusiasm by Guest Blogger Julia Ffoulkes2020-07-08T21:13:08+01:00

Thoughts on the Impostor Syndrome by guest blogger Gill Donnell

2020-07-08T21:13:11+01:00

Whenever I am involved in discussions about women and confidence, whether that is in business or personal life, inevitably the subject of the Impostor Syndrome comes up. So, what is it? Impostor syndrome can be defined as a collection of feelings of inadequacy that persist even in face of information that indicates that the opposite is true. It is experienced internally as chronic self-doubt, and feelings of intellectual fraudulence. It is basically feeling that you are not really a successful, competent and smart person, but that you are only posing as one! In December last year, this phenomenon again lit up the media when Michelle [...]

Thoughts on the Impostor Syndrome by guest blogger Gill Donnell2020-07-08T21:13:11+01:00

Top 10 tips from Springboard Speakers

2020-07-08T21:13:47+01:00

An essential part of the Springboard Women’s Development Programme mix is where we learn from another woman’s experiences during the guest speaker session. Each face to face session will have a different speaker bringing their own life lessons, approach and story into the room. I have had the privilege of listening to many a fabulous speaker. They have come from across all levels of the organisations I work with but there are some gems in common in their advice. Networks are key Build them across you organisation and externally. Maintain them by keeping them up to date with your progresses. [...]

Top 10 tips from Springboard Speakers2020-07-08T21:13:47+01:00

Chris Gunning

2020-07-08T21:14:34+01:00

As Oak Associates, Chris Gunning has worked in the HR field for over twenty five years as a trainer, coach, (including LEAD Wales), facilitator, mentor, consultant, writer and line manager, becoming IPD qualified, and continuing professional development via an MEd, in Education Training and Development at Sheffield University and Level 7 Executive Coaching and Mentoring at Bangor University. Clients ranging from multi-nationals, utilities through to newly formed companies, SMEs/micro and public and third sector organisations in the UK and overseas, (recently Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Egypt, Hungary). Projects relate primarily to some form of change linked organisational culture/development, teamwork personal accountability and [...]

Chris Gunning2020-07-08T21:14:34+01:00
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