How do I become comfortable with uncertainty?

Uncertainty has become a very present factor of modern working life, yet almost all of us crave certainty and spend a lot of our time and effort working very hard to create as much of it as we can. Only to find that uncertainty often wins out!

In this podcast, part of a mini-series looking at the questions and topics that often come up in coaching sessions, Richard and Paul dive into the world of uncertainty. They explore some of the ways that we can ensure that we don’t get stuck waiting for certainty, or derailed when the world gets messy.

Uncertainty can feel disorienting and makes decisions far more complex, yet we can all learn the skills that enable us to lead, work, and succeed in an uncertain world.

Posted On May 22, 2024 By Paul Hutchinson In Coaching, Leadership, Podcasts, Productivity, The question is /

What are my values?

Another podcast in our mini series exploring some of the questions that come up in coaching sessions, in this episode of the podcast, Richard and Paul discuss the questions that is asked without ever being asked, what are my values?

Values are at the heart of behaviours, driving both purpose and actions. Yet, we are often oblivious to them and their impact on our decisions and perceptions of the world. Paul and Richard explore their influence on our lives, how you can find out what your values are, and the ways they change at different stages of our lives.

Posted On May 9, 2024 By Paul Hutchinson In Coaching, Leadership, Podcasts, Productivity, Resilience, The question is /

What’s The Point?

Sometimes (at work) we get a little lost. Maybe our actions are not working, our dreams suddenly appear unattainable, or we become disconnected from the purpose. It may happen slowly over time or can be a sudden upheaval when things around us change.

It can be very disconcerting to feel lost, yet many of us experience it at some point. As coaches, we are frequently asked the question, ‘What’s the point?’.

In this podcast Paul and Ricky explore how people may find themselves lost, and what they can do to reconnect with their purpose, or discover a new purpose that will give them the energy and desire to carry on.

Posted On April 24, 2024 By Paul Hutchinson In Coaching, Leadership, Podcasts, Productivity, The question is /

How can I be successful when I don’t have enough time?

Continuing our series of podcasts that explore the most common questions asked in coaching sessions, Rob and Paul explore the very common topic of time in this podcast. A range of time questions come up, all of which centre around the genuine issue of having more things to do than the time available.

Time management skills are essential to modern working but are only part of the story. Most of us have jobs where the demands outstrip the time available, and in this episode, Paul and Rob explore the different mindset (and skills) required to ensure that the time you have is used in the best possible way.

Posted On April 10, 2024 By Paul Hutchinson In Coaching, Leadership, Podcasts, Productivity, The question is /

How can I deal with the feedback I am getting?

Let’s face it, none of us really love getting feedback. We know it is important, and helps us grow, It is also hard to hear sometimes and often badly delivered. Sometimes, it feels like it is easier to not be told, even though we know that is not really the right answer!

This podcast is part of a series based on the questions that come up the most in coaching sessions. In this episode, Rob and Ricky explore how feedback can be helpful once you get past the emotive reaction it often creates. They also explore the different types of feedback that you might get and how best to reflect on and take action that will help you grow.

Posted On March 27, 2024 By Paul Hutchinson In Coaching, Podcasts, Productivity, The question is /

Why is reflection important in the workplace?

There are moments, often, when we hit milestones that symbolise the end of something (like the end of a year), that we stop and take a moment to look back. This moments are opportunities to reflect, to learn and to prepare to start again.

Yet, in work, these moments are missed as we jump from project to project, urgent task to urgent task. Urgency getting in the way of growth, learning and, most importantly, using this wisdom to focus on the things that will have the biggest impact on our goals.

In this podcast, Ricky talks with Paul about the power of these moments, asking why these are so important, yet often undervalued in the workplace. Of course, they also get into some simple ways that you can make your reflection time more effective and why this does not need to take very much time at all if you do it right.

Posted On December 27, 2023 By Paul Hutchinson In Continuous Improvement, Leadership, Podcasts, Productivity, The question is /

Why don’t New Years Resolutions work?

It is that time of year, when we start to reflect on the year and promise ourselves that next year will be different. Next year, we will be fitter, healthier, more successful and just so much better. Sadly, for most of us, New Year’s Resolutions have the nasty habit of fading away as life pushes us back to old habits and practices.

So, what if this is the year? What if there is something that you want to change? That is what Ricky wanted, so in this podcast, he finds out from our resident psychologist, Paul, what is required to make your New Year Resolutions stick.

Probably not a surprise, but these tips turn out to work for all goals. So, even if you don’t have the urge to reinvent yourself this podcast offers simple strategies to make sure that you stick at and pursue the goals that matter to you.

Posted On December 13, 2023 By Paul Hutchinson In Change, Podcasts, Productivity, The question is /

How can you become a communication superhero?

In this podcast, Rob and Ricky don their capes and dive into the world of stellar communication. (what they get up to in their own time is up to them!) What does it take to be a true communication superhero in an era riddled with distractions, impatience, and information overload?

Being an effective communicator isn’t just about conveying messages; it’s about understanding, connecting, and making an impact. Yet, many of us falter, whether it’s due to a lack of skills, a disregard for respect and courtesy, or simply a scattered focus and lack of purpose in our interactions.

In this episode, they dissect the critical skills that often go amiss in daily communications. They look at areas such as the role of respect and courtesy in dialogue and deep into the importance of having a clear focus and purpose behind every word and gesture.

They also provide actionable steps, techniques, and insights to help you rise above these challenges. It’s time to transition from a communication novice to a true communication superhero. Capes are optional.

Posted On November 29, 2023 By Paul Hutchinson In Leadership, Podcasts, Productivity, The question is /

What are the common communication mistakes that trip us up?

Rob and Ricky as they dive headfirst into the intricate web of common communication pitfalls that leave many of us scratching our heads, wondering, “Where did that go wrong?”

Have you ever sat through a meeting and thought it was a complete waste of time? We explore the impact of poorly conducted meetings – how they not only drain our time but also our energy and productivity. We’ve all been there, and it’s time to address the elephant in the room.

But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Assumptions. They say when you assume, you make an “ass” out of “u” and “me.” We delve into the dangers of making assumptions in communication, how they lead us astray, and the strategies to avoid them.

In our digital age, emails have become the backbone of corporate communication. But are they always effective? We discuss the overuse and misuse of email, leading to cluttered inboxes and missed messages. And as if that wasn’t enough, we’re also battling against the tide of information overload.

Posted On November 15, 2023 By Paul Hutchinson In Leadership, Podcasts, Productivity, The question is /

How does poor communication impact the workplace?

With an alarming statistic revealing that a staggering 70% of errors in the workplace can be traced back to miscommunication, it’s no wonder that businesses are feeling the pinch. Dive deeper, and you’ll find that poor communication ranks as the number one concern for a majority of businesses, overshadowing even financial concerns or market competition.

But what really happens when communication goes awry? Trust erodes. The very foundation upon which business relationships are built begins to wobble. Employees start second-guessing, leading to serious doubts about the motives, integrity, and capabilities of their employers. The domino effect of this breakdown? A jaw-dropping cost of £50 – £70 Bn in lost productivity annually.

But there’s more. As a result of these communicative missteps, 33% of employees report having low morale, feeling disengaged, and disheartened.

In this episode, Ricky and Rob not only highlight the challenges but also explore solutions and best practices to cultivate an environment of open, transparent, and effective communication.

Posted On November 1, 2023 By Paul Hutchinson In Culture, Leadership, Podcasts, Productivity, The question is /