HR Coffee Time

For this special milestone episode of HR Coffee Time, Fay shares three of the lessons she has learnt from creating 100 episodes of the podcast. They’re lessons that can apply to everyone, no matter what point they are at in their career and no matter what job they do:You can make time for what matters, even if you think you can’t.Aim for progress over perfection.People are wonderful and happy to help.Useful LinksConnect with Fay on LinkedInFay’s website: Bright Sky Career CoachingThe Essential HR Planner Other HR Coffee Time Episodes MentionedEpisode 90: How a ‘Personal Board’ can help solve your challenges at work  Episode 29: Making a success of your promotion to a leadership role, with Jacqui JaggerEpisode 89: How to reach your HR career goals by understanding your tendencyEpisode 92: Time Management tips to stay on top of your busy day, with Louisa van VessemEpisode 67: How to get on top of email overwhelm when you’re in a busy HR roleEpisode 45: 6 ways to stop procrastinating & find time for important projects at workEpisode 07: What to do when there aren’t enough hours in the dayEpisode 80: How quarterly reviews can help you thrive in your HR careerEpisode 85: 6 questions to prioritise what matters for your HR/People careerEpisode 43: The one thing that will boost your resilience throughout your HR career, with Tom ClearyEpisode 32: How to write work emails that get results, with Kim ArnoldEpisode 37: The ‘first 100 days’ plan to succeed in your new HR leadership role, with Niamh O’KeeffeEpisode 11: Networking – the 3 most important networks for your careerEpisode 15: How networking can help your careerEpisode 16: How to become more confident about networkingLooking For the Transcript?You can find transcripts for all episodes from episodes 66 onwards 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. 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

Pete Colby, Director and lead mediator at Pragmatism, shares his expertise in resolving workplace disputes through mediation. He discusses how mediation skills can effectively address workplace conflicts, offering a powerful alternative to traditional grievance processes. Pete emphasizes the importance of active listening and open dialogue to prevent issues from escalating. He also highlights the emotional impact of effective mediation on workplace dynamics and how anyone can become a successful mediator, fostering collaboration and trust.

If you’re wrestling with the challenge of crafting an effective People Strategy, this episode of HR Coffee Time is here to help. Kelly Vincent, Head of People & Culture at a thriving edtech company, shares her insights into building a powerful People Strategy from the ground up.Kelly’s key insights, tips and learnings from the experience of creating a powerful People Strategy for an SME include:Get buy-in from the CEO and senior leadership team.Spend time getting to understand the business and the people within it.Align the People Strategy with the business strategy.Review what is already in place.Get all your ideas out of your head and onto paper, so you can focus.Prioritise because you’ll have more ideas than you can implement in one year.Identify what the outputs will be from your strategy.Assess how long it will take you to achieve the goals you’ve set in the People Strategy.Identify whether your plans need to involve other departments and find out if they have time to support you.Your strategy will be shaped by how much time your ideas will take to implement and the resources that you’ll need.Keep a record of you ‘spilled over ideas’ that didn’t make it into this year’s strategy, so you can consider them again in the future.Chose KPIs and measures that are suitable for your strategy.Carve out dedicated time to work on your strategy – giving yourself regular time slots, instead of trying to write the whole thing in one day can be helpful.Kelly chose to have 3 pillars in her People Strategy because this aligned with the overall business strategy that also used 3 pillars. Useful LinksConnect with Fay on LinkedInFay’s website: Bright Sky Career CoachingKelly’s 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)‘Take Back Your Power: 10 New Rules for Women at Work’, by Deborah Liu  Other Relevant HR Coffee Time EpisodesEpisode 58: How to feel more confident using data & analytics in your HR role, with Angela MoyleEpisode 26: How to be strategic in your new HR leadership roleEpisode 61: The 4 pillars that will help you be strategic in your HR roleEpisode 77: How to create an effective DEI strategy, with Metra Rowe Rate and Review the PodcastIf you found this episode of HR Coffee Time helpful, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. 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’d like to build your confidence, influence, impact and credibility at work, then the group programme, Inspiring HR, might be just what you’re looking for. In this episode of HR Coffee Time, Fay talks through the purpose behind creating Inspiring HR and what to expect if you join.Useful LinksConnect with Fay on LinkedInFay’s website: Bright Sky Career CoachingInspiring HR: further information & sign-up detailsBooks Recommended in This Episode(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)Everything I Know about Life I Learned from PowerPoint, by Russell DaviesThe Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters, by Priya Parker Other HR Coffee Time Episodes Mentioned in This EpisodeEpisode 96: Finding the perfect HR role: is a standalone position right for you?Episode 94: Summer reads: 3 great books to help your HR careerEpisode 76: HR insider tips on how to create an amazing remote working culture, with Claire CathcartEpisode 3: Building relationships with difficult people at workEpisode 75: What psychometrics are, how you can use them & why they’re so helpful, with Sue ColtonEpisode 74: How to get better at presenting and feel more confident about it  Rate and Review the PodcastIf you found this episode of HR Coffee Time helpful, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. 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. How Fay & Bright Sky Career Coaching Can Help YouIf you’ve been enjoying the podcast & would like some support from Fay or her colleagues at Bright Sky, take a look at all their services detailed on the Bright Sky Career Coaching website.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

Standalone roles are typically found in start-ups and smaller organizations where the People team consists of only one member – you! It's a challenging yet rewarding role. In this episode of HR Coffee Time, guests Nicola Head and Georgina Wright talk through the positives and challenges they've encountered in their experience of standalone HR/People roles, along with valuable advice on how to thrive in such a position.If you're considering a standalone role for the first time this episode aims to demystify the role and help you determine if it might be the perfect fit for you.Some of the many things covered include:The autonomy and freedom a standalone role can bring.The importance of prioritisation.The challenges of the role, including a lack of peers to sense check or run ideas past.How to set yourself up for success by building a strong support network, investing in automation and systems, and keeping your employment law knowledge up to date.Useful LinksConnect with Fay on LinkedInFay’s website: Bright Sky Career Coaching Rate and Review the PodcastIf you found this episode of HR Coffee Time helpful, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. 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. How Fay & Bright Sky Career Coaching Can Help YouIf you’ve been enjoying the podcast & would like some support from Fay or her colleagues at Bright Sky, take a look at all their services detailed on the Bright Sky Career Coaching website.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

As remote and hybrid working have become the new norm, it can be a real challenge to build trust and connections amongst our colleagues. Email has become more critical than ever before, now there aren’t the same opportunities for sharing communication in-person.In this episode of HR Coffee Time, Kim Arnold returns for her second appearance on the show. She shares invaluable on writing impactful emails, to create stronger bonds and trust throughout your organisation. And just as importantly, she explains when not to use email (and what to do instead), so people don’t feel bombarded or overwhelmed.Whether you have an internal comms team, or you handle all the People communications yourself, Kim’s brilliant email practices will empower you to make a positive impact in your role as a People Professional.Some of the many things Kim covers in the episode are:·     We’re being judged far more on the content of our email now that we have fewer physical interactions with our colleagues.·     Putting some of our personality into our emails can create much stronger bonds.·     Common email mistakes to avoid, so you don’t erode trust. ·     Leveraging copywriting tips, including Andy Maslen’s ‘KFC’ framework.·     How to overcome writer's block and tackle the blank page in front of you.·     Tackling email overwhelm for yourself and your organisation.·     The benefits of creating an ‘email playbook’. Useful LinksConnect with Fay on LinkedInFay’s website: Bright Sky Career CoachingConnect with Kim on LinkedInKim Arnold’s websiteBook 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)Kim’s book: ‘Email Attraction: Get what you want every time you hit send’Kim’s book recommendation: ‘Never Split the Difference: Negotiating as if your life depended on it’ by Chris VossKim’s book recommendation from when she was last on the show: ‘Can I Change Your Mind?: The Craft & Art of Persuasive Writing’ by Lindsay Camp Other Relevant HR Coffee Time EpisodesEpisode 32: How to write work emails that get results, with Kim ArnoldEpisode 67: How to get on top of email overwhelm when you’re in a busy HR roleEpisode 76: HR insider tips on how to create an amazing remote working culture Rate and Review the PodcastIf you found this episode of HR Coffee Time helpful, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. 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. How Fay & Bright Sky Career Coaching Can Help YouIf you’ve been enjoying the podcast & would like some support from Fay or her colleagues at Bright Sky, take a look at all their services detailed on the Bright Sky Career Coaching website.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

Dive into the world of HR with three transformative summer reads! Discover 'The Art of Gathering' to enhance your facilitation skills and 'Inclusive Growth' for fostering a diverse workplace. Unpack 'Tranquility by Tuesday' for mastering work-life balance amidst chaos. This engaging discussion empowers you to elevate your HR career and embrace inclusive practices. Plus, connect on LinkedIn for more insights and book recommendations!

If you’re passionate about inclusion at work and you want to know how to make an impact to create a more inclusive work culture, this episode is packed full of advice to help. And the advice can be put into action whatever the size of the organisation you’re working in – no matter how big or small it is.Host Fay Wallis is joined by Toby Mildon, the Inclusive Culture Strategist & author of “Inclusion Matters: Future-proof your business by creating a diverse workplace.”Some of the many helpful concepts Toby shares that can be applied to organisations of all sizes (no matter how big or small) include:Moving from an environment of exclusion to inclusionThe different types of connections leaders have to inclusion – rational, emotional, and personalDemonstrating allyship through the use of visual aidsOvercoming fear of talking about diversity and inclusionThe ART of Allyship: Awareness, Respect, TrustUsing the GC Index to understand the impact you (and others) make at workConnect With Fay & TobyConnect with Fay on LinkedInFay’s website: Bright Sky Career CoachingConnect with Toby Mildon on LinkedInToby’s website: Mildon.co.ukBook Recommendations from The Episode(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)‘Inclusion Matters: Future-proof your business by creating a diverse workplace’ by Toby Mildon‘The Velvet Rage: Overcoming the Pain of Growing Up Gay in a Straight Man’s World’ by Alan DownsOther Relevant HR Coffee Time EpisodesAbout Diversity & Inclusion:Episode 42: Diversity & Inclusion at work – 7 mistakes to avoid (& what to do instead), with Dr Jonathan Ashong-LampteyEpisode 77: How to create an effective DEI strategy, with Metra RoweAbout behavioural and psychometric profiling tools:Episode 3: Building relationships with difficult people at work (an overview of the behavioural preferences profiling tool: DISC)Episode 75: What psychometrics are, how you can use them & why they’re so helpful, with Sue ColtonRate and Review the PodcastIf you found this episode of HR Coffee Time helpful, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. 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.How Fay & Bright Sky Career Coaching Can Help YouIf you’ve been enjoying the podcast & would like some support from Fay or her colleagues at Bright Sky, take a look at all their services detailed on the Bright Sky Career Coaching website. 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

When work and life feel busy, it can feel hard to stay on top of everything. But taking a step back and identifying helpful time management techniques can make a big difference. In this episode of HR Coffee Time, career & executive coach, Fay Wallis chats with Louisa van Vessem about a range of time management tips to help you stay on top of your busy day.Some of the ideas they talk through include:Virtual co-workingScheduling/calendar tools (e.g. Calendly)Time blockingBuffer timeThe Pomodoro techniqueTime trackingSetting clear goalsShiny object syndromeThe HR PlannerMind mappingA, B and C priorities‘To don’t’ listsEat that frogRewardsUnderstanding your personal blockersPeople pleasingAccountability and The Four TendenciesBoundaries & perfectionismUseful LinksConnect with Fay on LinkedInFay’s website: Bright Sky Career CoachingConnect with Louisa on LinkedInLouisa van Vessem’s websiteThe Essential HR PlannerThe LinkedIn Live this episode is extracted from Other Relevant HR Coffee Time EpisodesEpisode 7: What to do when you don’t have enough hours in the dayEpisode 45: 6 ways to stop procrastinating & find time for important projects at workEpisode 89: How to reach your HR career goals by understanding your ‘tendency’Rate and Review the PodcastIf you found this episode of HR Coffee Time helpful, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. 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.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 feel like you should be more assertive at work, or you've had other people around you recommend that you start being more assertive, it can be hard to know what to do about it. After all, what does 'being assertive' actually mean and how can you be assertive if it isn't something that feels like it comes naturally to you?This episode of HR Coffee Time is here to help. Professional communication coach Trisha Lewis joins career coach, Fay Wallis, to share her fresh approach to being more assertive.Trisha talks through a whole range of ideas including:The aggressive/assertive continuumSelf-squashing and unsquashingThe female 'double-bind'The warmth/strength quadrantBeing assertive in a way that feels authentic for youHow feedback and role play can helpUseful LinksConnect with Fay on LinkedInFay’s website: Bright Sky Career CoachingConnect with Trisha on LinkedInTrisha Lewis’ websiteTrisha’s TedX talk: The Self-Squashing ProphecyThe 7 Best TED Talks for Career Success (includes Amy Cuddy’s talk about body language)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)Trisha’s book: ‘The Mystery of the Squashed Self: How to stop self-sabotaging and make your business thrive’ by Trisha LewisTrisha’s book recommendation: ‘Compelling People: the hidden qualities that make us influential’ by John Neffinger & Matthew Kohut Other Relevant HR Coffee Time EpisodesEpisode 78: 5 tips to get useful feedback at work to help your HR/People careerEpisode 57: Using the Johari Window to develop & grow in your HR career (a great feedback tool) Rate and Review the PodcastIf you found this episode of HR Coffee Time helpful, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. 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.How Fay & Bright Sky Career Coaching Can Help YouIf you’ve been enjoying the podcast & would like some support from Fay or her colleagues at Bright Sky, take a look at all their services detailed on the Bright Sky Career Coaching website.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