Maybe it’s easier to describe what it isn’t. It isn’t a list of qualifications and 'achievements' like the ones I saw in the bios on 'Meet the team' pages on various university websites the other evening. A little light research while my youngest takes herself off to...
Sharing your story is more than simply being able to write your About page, send off a short and snappy bio or introduce yourself at a networking gathering, although any of these could be the catalyst for getting your story in shape. Stories help bring people into...
This time last year Ilkley was covered in snow and I was coming out of my second conversation filled peak season on the shop floor of Oliver Bonas. I’d applied for a seasonal role the previous Christmas and it was due to last around six weeks but I ended up staying...
If we were to sit down and have a chat about writing, about sending out content, messages, communication (whatever the media) for people to read, follow, understand, engage with then these are the kinds of things we’d end up talking about. The list isn’t exhaustive,...
It's like a slow, steady exhale, the nervous system soothing after a few grounding breaths, a gentle sag and a soft fizz of energy, a breakthrough. Not a sag under the weight of all those as yet unwritten words. Words, writing, blank white pages can cause friction, a...
Ah, the tone of voice. That sleight of hand that conveys authenticity, honesty and builds relationships. But tone of voice is trixy. It’s elusive, intangible. Hard to pin down. Tricky to get right, yet it’s so darn obvious when it's missing or just plain wrong. I mean...
It takes more than a few WhatsApps and comments on a social media post to build friendships and meaningful connections in your personal life. The relationships you build in your work life are no different. They too need opportunities to go deep and delve into the...
Fiddling around with my homepage copy as I do from time to time, I deleted the word ‘thoughtful’ and put it back in - several times over. Why the hesitation? Because I know I’m thoughtful and I do like to have both feet firmly on the ground. I’m no high octane,...
Somedays it’s a brief exchange. Other times a long overdue deep and meaningful triggered by a ‘how are you, I know things have been tough?’ Sometimes a more transactional, ‘How was your weekend’ as we swap books read, films or box sets watched, places visited. The...
Is there a particular person whose face springs to mind when you sit down to write your blog, social media caption, or website (delete as applicable) or is it a blend of different people? A picture that you’ve built up over time. A picture that was once sharp and in...
Stories play a huge part in our lives. From the stories we’re told as young children, to the tall tales that form family folklore and shared experiences that bind friendships. But what about business? What role does storytelling play in business when the word...
Flattery will get you everywhere isn't a phrase you associate with a train journey, but bear with me. It came to me as I sat on the 10.15am from Leeds to Kings Cross the other Monday morning. I was listening to the train manager read her script over and over again as...
I am a fully paid up member of the Squiggly Career club. I hadn’t realised that until I watched a webinar this morning with Helen Tupper of The Squiggly Career & Amazing If fame (www.amazingif.com). In just one-hour, she made sense of a work / life situation I...
There I was, stood in the queue, waiting to go into Curry’s PC World trying not to listen too closely at an animated conversation two colleagues were having. All very good natured and suddenly one of them said “Now I understand! You only told me half the story.” I’m...
