HR Coffee Time

If you’re stuck about defining or shaping culture in your organisation, you’re not alone. The concept often appears fuzzy, theoretical, and more suited for addressing in large corporations than smaller teams. But it’s a vital component of every thriving workplace. In this episode of HR Coffee Time host, Fay Wallis is joined by Louise Kennedy from Oculus HR, known for her ability to simplify seemingly complex things into clear, actionable steps.Key TakeawaysCulture can feel complex and difficult to define, but it is essential for the success of any organization.Defining culture can happen at different stages of a business's growth.Involving employees in defining culture is crucial for unearthing the ‘now’ culture.Values play a significant role in shaping culture.Engaging senior leadership in culture conversations is essential for driving culture change.Useful LinksConnect with Fay on LinkedInFay’s website: Bright Sky Career CoachingConnect with Louise on LinkedInLouise’s website: Oculus HR Other Relevant HR Coffee Time EpisodesEpisode 114: What workplace culture is, how to measure it & a surprising way to improve it, with Arend BoersemaEpisode 88: How to write a compelling business case & get approval for your idea, with Jo TaylorLooking For the Transcript?You can find the transcript on this page of the Bright Sky Career Coaching website.Rate and Review the PodcastIf you found this episode of HR Coffee Time helpful, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. This video shows you how to rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts (because it isn’t very intuitive). If you're kind enough to leave a review, let Fay know so she can say thank you. You can always reach her at: fay@brightskycareercoaching.co.uk. Enjoyed This Episode? Don't Miss the Next One!Be notified each time a new episode of HR Coffee Time is released and get access to other free career tips, tools and resources by signing up to receive the free weekly HR Coffee Time email.Mentioned in this episode:Ready to learn more about Inspiring HR?Learn more about the Inspiring HR Leadership Programme, and sign up to join the next cohort, that starts on 10th September 2025.Inspiring HR

If you've ever wondered how to shift your organisation's perception of HR from being an operational, admin-heavy function, to one that is strategic, innovative and drives positive change; this episode of HR Coffee Time is here to help. Host, Fay Wallis is joined by Kate Maddison-Greenwell from People Efficient and together they take a deep dive into the exciting world of Agile HR.Key TakeawaysAgile is a mindset and set of methodologies focused on adding value to customers, including employees in the case of HR.Agile HR involves breaking down complex projects or problems into iterative chunks and prioritizing people-centric solutions.Visualization tools like Miro can facilitate collaboration and inclusivity in Agile HR.Games like planning poker can help teams estimate time and value more accurately in Agile HR.Sprints, typically two weeks long, are cycles in Agile HR that involve planning, doing, reviewing, and reflecting on progress.To get started with Agile HR, start small with a project or problem, focus on psychological safety, and gain sponsorship from senior leaders.Useful LinksConnect with Fay on LinkedInFay’s website: Bright Sky Career CoachingConnect with Kate on LinkedInKate’s website: People Efficient Buy the Book Recommendation(Disclosure: the book link is an affiliate link which means that Fay will receive a small commission from Amazon if you make a purchase through it)Built for People: Transform Your Employee Experience Using Product Management Principles, Jessica Zwaan Other Relevant HR Coffee Time EpisodesEpisode 114: What workplace culture is, how to measure it & a surprising way to improve it, with Arend BoersemaEpisode 102: Boosting your strategic knowledge to step up in your HR roleEpisode 22: How to handle conflict at work, with Ginny RadmallLooking For the Transcript?You can find the transcript on this page of the Bright Sky Career Coaching website.Rate and Review the PodcastIf you found this episode of HR Coffee Time helpful, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. This video shows you how to rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts (because it isn’t very intuitive). If you're kind enough to leave a review, let Fay know so she can say thank you. You can always reach her at: fay@brightskycareercoaching.co.uk. Enjoyed This Episode? Don't Miss the Next One!Be notified each time a new episode of HR Coffee Time is released and get access to other free career tips, tools and resources by signing up to receive the free weekly HR Coffee Time email.Mentioned in this episode:Ready to learn more about Inspiring HR?Learn more about the Inspiring HR Leadership Programme, and sign up to join the next cohort, that starts on 10th September 2025.Inspiring HR

Even though you’re excited about the course you’ve signed up to, it’s easy to veer off track with it when you’re juggling a demanding HR job. So, to help set you up for success & make the learning from the course stick, this episode of HR Coffee Time is here to help. In it, host, Fay Wallis shares 9 tips to unlock training success when you’re a busy HR professional.  Useful LinksConnect with Fay on LinkedInFay’s website: Bright Sky Career CoachingInspiring HR Group Programme Buy the Book Recommendation(Disclosure: the book links are affiliate links which means that Fay will receive a small commission from Amazon if you make a purchase through them)Neuroscience for Learning and Development, by Stella Collins Other Relevant HR Coffee Time EpisodesEpisode 97: Inspiring HR: the purpose behind it and what to expect if you joinEpisode 110: Why facilitation skills can help your career & how to develop them, with Kirsty LewisEpisode 15: How networking can help your careerEpisode 16: How to become more confident about networkingLooking For the Transcript?You can find the transcript on this page of the Bright Sky Career Coaching website.Rate and Review the PodcastIf you found this episode of HR Coffee Time helpful, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. This video shows you how to rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts (because it isn’t very intuitive). If you're kind enough to leave a review, let Fay know so she can say thank you. You can always reach her at: fay@brightskycareercoaching.co.uk. Enjoyed This Episode? Don't Miss the Next One!Be notified each time a new episode of HR Coffee Time is released and get access to other free career tips, tools and resources by signing up to receive the free weekly HR Coffee Time email.Mentioned in this episode:Ready to learn more about Inspiring HR?Learn more about the Inspiring HR Leadership Programme, and sign up to join the next cohort, that starts on 10th September 2025.Inspiring HR

How is your performance management strategy impacting employee engagement? Understanding how to use it effectively can lead to better results for employees and therefore the organisation, as well as save money through staff retention. Performance management should be about more than KPIs and day-to-day tasks, it should be seen as an individualised opportunity to support career growth. With continuous conversations, clear goals and regular constructive feedback, performance management can become a far more effective tool.In this episode of HR Coffee Time, host Fay Wallis is joined by Lucinda Carney the CEO and Founder of Actus. A purpose-built performance and talent management software, which makes her the perfect person to share her knowledge on:Performance management’s impact on employee engagementBest practices for performance managementThe importance of clear goalsTailoring performance management to individualsHow to drive high performanceWhy you need to do more than annual appraisalsUseful LinksConnect with Fay on LinkedInFay’s website: Bright Sky Career CoachingConnect with Lucinda on LinkedInActusListen to Lucinda’s Podcast HR UprisingActus on FacebookActus on YouTube Resources Mentioned During the EpisodeThe Gallup Q12 employee engagement surveyThe CIPD research report: Performance management: Could do better?Actus ResourcesResearch review: What works in performance managementWebinar recording: Rethinking appraisals webinar recordingWhite paper: How to design an appraisal processEbook: The complete guide to 360 feedback Buy the Book Recommendations(Disclosure: the book links are affiliate links which means that Fay will receive a small commission from Amazon if you make a purchase through them)The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, by Stephen R. CoveyHBR's 10 Must Reads on Performance Management, by Harvard Business ReviewHow to be a Change Superhero: The business toolkit to help you to 'do' change better, by Lucinda Carney Other Relevant HR Coffee Time EpisodesEpisode 17: How to set your career goals for 2022Episode 25: How to use career conversations to improve retention & engagement, with Sarah ArcherEpisode 33: A helpful framework for career conversations at work, with Steve McIntoshEpisode 57: Using the Johari Window to develop & grow in your HR careerEpisode 78: 5 ways to get useful feedback at work to help your HR/People careerEpisode 79: How to create a powerful career development programme that has an impact, with Kate MansfieldLooking For the Transcript?You can find the transcript on this page of the Bright Sky Career Coaching website.Rate and Review the PodcastIf you found this episode of HR Coffee Time helpful, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. This video shows you how to rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts (because it isn’t very intuitive). If you're kind enough to leave a review, let Fay know so she can say thank you. You can always reach her at: fay@brightskycareercoaching.co.uk. Enjoyed This Episode? Don't Miss the Next One!Be notified each time a new episode of HR Coffee Time is released and get access to other free career tips, tools and resources by signing up to receive the free weekly HR Coffee Time email.Mentioned in this episode:Ready to learn more about Inspiring HR?Learn more about the Inspiring HR Leadership Programme, and sign up to join the next cohort, that starts on 10th September 2025.Inspiring HR

Instead of launching yourself into another busy year at work, it is helpful to take a moment to pause and reflect so that you can set your goals. There will be powerful lessons to learn from the year that has just passed and so many positives that you may overlook unless you take the time to stop.In this episode of HR Coffee Time, host Fay Wallis guides you through the ‘Look Back to Look Forward’ activity from the 2024 HR Planner. It is 10 questions to help you acknowledge your successes and challenges, and spark ideas for powerful goals to set for 2024. In the spirit of ‘walking the walk as well as talking the talk’, she also shares her answers to the questions. Useful LinksConnect with Fay on LinkedInFay’s website: Bright Sky Career CoachingFay's blog article: Reflecting on 2023 - looking back to look forwardThe Essential HR PlannerOther Relevant HR Coffee Time EpisodesEpisode 99: How mediation skills can help you resolve conflict at work, with Pete ColbyEpisode 110: Why facilitation skills can help your HR career & how to develop them, with Kirsty LewisEpisode 115: Why negotiation skills can help your HR career & how to develop them, with Simon DuncanLooking For the Transcript?You can find the transcript on this page of the Bright Sky Career Coaching website.Rate and Review the PodcastIf you found this episode of HR Coffee Time helpful, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. This video shows you how to rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts (because it isn’t very intuitive). If you're kind enough to leave a review, let Fay know so she can say thank you. You can always reach her at: fay@brightskycareercoaching.co.uk. Enjoyed This Episode? Don't Miss the Next One!Be notified each time a new episode of HR Coffee Time is released and get access to other free career tips, tools and resources by signing up to receive the free weekly HR Coffee Time email. Mentioned in this episode:Ready to learn more about Inspiring HR?Learn more about the Inspiring HR Leadership Programme, and sign up to join the next cohort, that starts on 10th September 2025.Inspiring HR

In this engaging discussion, negotiation expert Simon Duncan shares insights from his decades of experience in the retail industry. He emphasizes that effective negotiation is a constructive dialogue, essential for HR professionals. Simon breaks down the four phases of negotiation: planning, launching, undertaking, and securing, offering strategic tips for success. He highlights the importance of emotional management and understanding both parties' needs to enhance outcomes. Listeners will leave with practical skills to boost their confidence and career in HR.

‘Culture’ can seem like a vague and woolly concept. You can feel what a culture is like as soon as you start working in an organization but it can be hard to describe it and even harder to know what to do to measure or improve it. But with many HR teams being renamed as ‘People and Culture’ and job titles being changed to reflect this, understanding workplace culture and knowing how to shape and improve it are essential skills for People professionals.This episode of HR Coffee Time is here to help. Host Fay Wallis and expert guest Arend Boersema explore:Understanding workplace cultureMeasuring cultureThoughts on pursuing an ‘ideal culture’How personal connection impacts cultureWhere Arend’s passion and interest in culture stem fromUsing poetry in organizationsA live reading from Arend’s book, “Poetry at the heart of business”Useful LinksConnect with Fay on LinkedInFay’s website: Bright Sky Career CoachingConnect with Arend on LinkedInVisit Arend’s websiteThe Essential HR Planner Resources Mentioned During the EpisodeHackman & Oldham’s Job Characteristics Model to Job SatisfactionBuy the Book Recommendations(Disclosure: the book links are affiliate links which means that Fay will receive a small commission from Amazon if you make a purchase through them)Poetry at the heart of business: Spoken word poetry exploring the concept of company culture & belonging, by Arend BoersemaFirms of Endearment: How World-Class Companies Profit from Passion and Purpose, by Rajendra Sisodia, David B. Wolfe & Jagdish ShethGood To Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap…and Others Don’t, by Jim CollinsThink Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don’t Know, by Adam GrantLooking For the Transcript?You can find the transcript on this page of the Bright Sky Career Coaching website.Rate and Review the PodcastIf you found this episode of HR Coffee Time helpful, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. This video shows you how to rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts (because it isn’t very intuitive). If you're kind enough to leave a review, let Fay know so she can say thank you. You can always reach her at: fay@brightskycareercoaching.co.uk. Enjoyed This Episode? Don't Miss the Next One!Be notified each time a new episode of HR Coffee Time is released and get access to other free career tips, tools and resources by signing up to receive the free weekly HR Coffee Time email.Mentioned in this episode:Ready to learn more about Inspiring HR?Learn more about the Inspiring HR Leadership Programme, and sign up to join the next cohort, that starts on 10th September 2025.Inspiring HR

Have you set your sights on a senior HR role but feel like you’re missing out on strategic experience in your current job? Or perhaps you’re not confident enough to operate at board level? Bridging this gap could be more fulfilling than you think. Becoming a trustee for a charity is a smart career move that not only sharpens your strategic skills and gives you board-level exposure, it also offers the rewarding opportunity to do meaningful work by supporting a charity. It’s a unique blend of professional growth and contributing to the greater good.In this episode of HR Coffee Time, host Fay Wallis chats with the insightful Roisin Williams from Job Seeker Coaching. With her rich background as an HR professional, career coach, and seasoned trustee, Roisin unpacks the ins and outs of trusteeship. She’s here to share:A clear breakdown of what it means to be a trusteeThe real deal on the responsibilities and expectations that come with the titleThe unexpected upsides of stepping into a trustee roleAnswers to those niggling doubts and questions you might haveTips on how to kick-start your journey as a trusteeThis isn’t just another podcast episode; it’s your invitation to step up, expand your HR horizon, and contribute to a cause that matters. So, why not give it a listen and see where trusteeship could take you? Useful LinksConnect with Fay on LinkedInFay’s website: Bright Sky Career CoachingConnect with Roisin on LinkedInRoisin’s websiteThe Essential HR PlannerResources Mentioned During the EpisodeThe Charity Commission for England and WalesGetting on BoardVolunteering Matters (formerly Community Service Volunteers) Other Relevant HR Coffee Time EpisodesEpisode 5: How to progress your HR career (using the 3E model)Looking For the Transcript?You can find the transcript on this page of the Bright Sky Career Coaching website.Rate and Review the PodcastIf you found this episode of HR Coffee Time helpful, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. This video shows you how to rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts (because it isn’t very intuitive). If you're kind enough to leave a review, let Fay know so she can say thank you. You can always reach her at: fay@brightskycareercoaching.co.uk. Enjoyed This Episode? Don't Miss the Next One!Be notified each time a new episode of HR Coffee Time is released and get access to other free career tips, tools and resources by signing up to receive the free weekly HR Coffee Time email.Mentioned in this episode:Ready to learn more about Inspiring HR?Learn more about the Inspiring HR Leadership Programme, and sign up to join the next cohort, that starts on 10th September 2025.Inspiring HR

Go behind the scenes of HR Coffee Time and learn what to expect if you’re a guest on the show, and how to set yourself up for a successful interview. In this episode, Fay explains:The benefits of being a guest on HR Coffee TimeOvercoming nervousness and preparing for the interviewThe interview processTips for a successful interviewTechnical aspects of the interviewTips to reduce filler wordsThe importance of keeping the audience in mindHow to become a guest on HR Coffee Time Useful LinksConnect with Fay on LinkedInFay’s website: Bright Sky Career CoachingThe Essential HR PlannerLooking For the Transcript?You can find transcripts for all episodes on the HR Coffee Time section of the Bright Sky Career Coaching website.Rate and Review the PodcastIf you found this episode of HR Coffee Time helpful, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. This video shows you how to rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts (because it isn’t very intuitive). If you're kind enough to leave a review, let Fay know so she can say thank you. You can always reach her at: fay@brightskycareercoaching.co.uk. Enjoyed This Episode? Don't Miss the Next One!Be notified each time a new episode of HR Coffee Time is released and get access to other free career tips, tools and resources by signing up to receive the free weekly HR Coffee Time email.Mentioned in this episode:Ready to learn more about Inspiring HR?Learn more about the Inspiring HR Leadership Programme, and sign up to join the next cohort, that starts on 10th September 2025.Inspiring HR

With claims that we’re working in a world designed for extroverts, it’s important we understand how to make our workplaces more inclusive, so that we can all thrive.In this episode of HR Coffee Time, Fay is joined by Tom Cleary, Founder of Introverts & Co. Tom shares how to thrive at work as an introvert, and busts myths you may have heard before about introversion. He also explains practical strategies to help set yourself, your colleagues and your workplaces up for success. Some of the many things he covers include:Understanding introversion: definition and misconceptionsThe impact of introversion in the workplaceTom’s personal journey: from introversion to advocacyWhy introversion is such an important topic for us all to be aware of & learn more aboutCreating inclusive meetings & team building events for introvertsStrengths and challenges of being an introvertStrategies for introverts to thrive in the workplaceThe importance of identifying personal values Useful LinksConnect with Fay on LinkedInFay’s website: Bright Sky Career CoachingConnect with Tom on LinkedInTom’s websiteTom’s free online community: Introverts and coBuy the Book Recommendations(Disclosure: the book link is an affiliate link which means that Fay will receive a small commission from Amazon if you make a purchase through it)Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking, by Susan Cain Other Relevant HR Coffee Time EpisodesEpisode 43: The one thing that will boost your resilience throughout your HR career, with Tom ClearyEpisode 47: Discovering your values to help your HR career, with Zoe HawkinsEpisode 75: What psychometrics are, how you can use them & why they’re so helpful, with Sue ColtonEpisode 110: Why facilitation skills can help your HR career & how to develop them, with Kirsty LewisHR Coffee Time inclusion playlist (on Spotify)HR Coffee Time inclusion playlist (online)Looking For the Transcript?You can find the transcript on this page of the Bright Sky Career Coaching website.Rate and Review the PodcastIf you found this episode of HR Coffee Time helpful, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. This video shows you how to rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts (if you’re not sure how to do it). If you're kind enough to leave a review, let Fay know so she can say thank you. You can always reach her at: fay@brightskycareercoaching.co.uk. Enjoyed This Episode? Don't Miss the Next One!Be notified each time a new episode of HR Coffee Time is released and get access to other free career tips, tools and resources by signing up to receive the free weekly HR Coffee Time email.Mentioned in this episode:Ready to learn more about Inspiring HR?Learn more about the Inspiring HR Leadership Programme, and sign up to join the next cohort, that starts on 10th September 2025.Inspiring HR