HR Coffee Time

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

If you have a challenge or obstacle at work that you just can’t seem to solve, your Personal Board may be able to swoop to your rescue.In this episode of HR Coffee Time, career and executive coach, Fay Wallis, shares how she used Emma Maslen’s ideas for creating a Personal Board to solve a challenge with a podcast. She encourages you to try the idea for yourself, to help you solve one of your challenges at work.Useful LinksConnect with Fay on LinkedInFay’s website: Bright Sky Career Coaching(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)Book: ‘Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals’ by Oliver BurkemanBook: ‘The Personal Board of You Inc.’ by Emma Maslen Other Relevant HR Coffee Time EpisodesEpisode 21: The 8 people who will set you up for career success, with Sharon PeakeEpisode 15: How networking can help your careerEpisode 16: How to become more confident about networking 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

It’s no good just keeping a career goal in your head or written down on a piece of paper. To reach that goal, you need to take action. But it can feel hard to stay on track with what’s needed when you’re so busy at work. That’s where The Four Tendencies framework can come in handy. By understanding your ‘tendency’ you’ll be able to identify and test out different strategies that will be effective in keeping you on track to reach those goals.In this episode of HR Coffee Time, career & executive coach Fay Wallis explains what The Four Tendencies are and how understanding your tendency can help you to reach your goals.Useful LinksConnect with Fay on LinkedInFay’s website: Bright Sky Career CoachingThe Four Tendencies Free QuizGretchen Rubin’s websiteBook: ‘The Four Tendencies’, by Gretchen Rubin (Disclosure: this book link is an affiliate link which means that Fay will receive a small commission from Amazon if you make a purchase through it) Other Relevant HR Coffee Time EpisodesEpisode 82: 3 tips to tackle a challenge at work when you aren’t feeling confidentEpisode 63: How to progress your career by measuring your impact at workEpisode 67: How to get on top of email overwhelm when you’re in a busy HR roleEpisode 39: Lost your direction & motivation at work? This one thing might helpEpisode 07: What to do when there aren’t enough hours in the day 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

If you’ve ever faced the frustration of having your ideas rejected or struggled to secure buy-in and budget for your projects, this episode of HR Coffee Time is here to help. Writing a business case can feel overwhelming but guest, Jo Taylor, shares valuable insights on how to craft a compelling one that significantly enhances your chances of success. She explains what a business case is and the importance of:SimplifyingStarting with the “why”Engaging stakeholders early onProgress, not perfectionJo also gives powerful advice on what to do if your business case is rejected.Jo’s Book Recommendation(Disclosure: this book link is an affiliate link which means that Fay will receive a small commission from Amazon if you make a purchase through it)The Art of Rest: How to Find Respite in the Modern Age, by Claudia Hammond Useful LinksConnect with Fay on LinkedInFay’s website: Bright Sky Career CoachingJo’s website: Let’s Talk TalentLet’s Talk Talent’s free resources, including webinars, whitepapers, podcast, newsletter, mentoring scheme and YouTube channelJo’s email address: jo@letstalktalent.co.uk Other Relevant HR Coffee Time EpisodesEpisode 63: How to progress your career by measuring your impact at workEpisode 34: Influencing – how to get buy-in for your ideas at work 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 websiteMentioned 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

Finding your next HR/People role can feel daunting; especially if you haven't changed jobs in years. This episode of HR Coffee Time is here to help, with job search success tips from career coach Fay Wallis. Learn what to do and how to do it, to hugely increase your chances of landing your perfect role.Resources Mentioned in This EpisodeFay’s online CV and LinkedIn coursesFay’s webinar for Presentus: LinkedIn Secrets – How to leverage LinkedIn to get your perfect jobConnect WithConnect with Fay on LinkedInFay’s website: Bright Sky Career Coaching Other Relevant HR Coffee Time EpisodesEpisode 4: Finding your next HR job – key tips from an HR Recruiter, with Tansel OmerEpisode 11: Networking – the three most important networks for your careerEpisode 13: How to get a senior-level HR role, with Craig ElvinEpisode 15: How networking can help your careerEpisode 16: How to become more confident about networkingEpisode 31: 3 little-known LinkedIn features which will help you get your next jobEpisode 63: How to progress your career by measuring your impact at workEpisode 81: Recruitment redefined – a better way to find or fill your next role, with Tansel OmerRate 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

Have you ever found yourself in a work meeting, excitedly sharing an idea, only to have someone else take the spotlight, adopt the idea as their own and take all the credit? It’s an all-too-familiar scenario. In this episode of HR Coffee Time, “How to stop other people taking credit for your ideas in meetings” host Fay Wallis, shares three different options for tackling this behaviour at work.Resources Mentioned in This EpisodeTIME magazine: ‘Mr. Vice President, I’m Speaking.’ What Research Says About Men Interrupting Women – And How to Stop ItHarvard Business Review: Amplifying Your Colleagues’ Voices Benefits EveryoneThe Independent: What is hepeating?Professor Nicole Gugliucci’s tweet introducing the word, ‘hepeated’The Academy of Management Journal 64 (4): Amplifying Voice in Organizations, by Kristin Bain, Tamar Admati Kreps, Nathan Meikle and Elizabeth R. TenneyUCLA Anderson Review: In a Teamwork Economy, Status among Group Members Is Crucial, by Michael TottyCenter for Creative Leadership: The SBI™ frameworkConnect With FayConnect with Fay on LinkedInFay’s website: Bright Sky Career Coaching Other Relevant HR Coffee Time EpisodesEpisode 84: Practical EDI tips from a Top 50 Most Inclusive Employer, with Lisa FaulknerEpisode 83: Destructive team dynamics – how to spot them & get things back on track, with Gabriella BraunEpisode 65: Practical strategies that empower women to succeed in leadership roles, with Carla Miller 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, they can help you through:1:1 coaching to overcome your career challengesGroup coaching – build your confidence, credibility & influence in 6 weeks through Fay’s signature programme, Inspiring HRInterview coaching to succeed in your next interviewCareer change coaching to find a new, more fulfilling careerThe ‘Power Up Your LinkedIn Profile’ online course, to create a powerful LinkedIn profile and build your confidence at using LinkedIn to get your next role.The free pdf condensed version of Fay’s HR Planner for 2023Mentioned 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

It can be hard to be clear on what matters most to you for your HR / People career; especially when you’re busy firefighting at work. In this episode of HR Coffee Time, career coach Fay Wallis shares 6 questions to identify and prioritise what matters for your career, so that you can set realistic steps and goals to achieve what’s most important to you.Key Resources Mentioned in This EpisodeThe Essential HR Planner Connect With FayConnect with Fay on LinkedInFay’s website: Bright Sky Career Coaching Other Relevant HR Coffee Time EpisodesEpisode 80: How quarterly reviews can help you thrive in your HR careerEpisode 69: Monthly review – the simple secret to making progress in your HR careerEpisode 66: Reflecting on 2022 – looking back to look forward Rate and Review the PodcastIf you found this episode of HR Coffee Time helpful, please can you rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify? If you're kind enough to leave a review, please do 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, they can help you through:1:1 coaching to overcome your career challengesGroup coaching – build your confidence, credibility & influence in 6 weeks through Fay’s signature programme, Inspiring HRInterview coaching to succeed in your next interviewCareer change coaching to find a new, more fulfilling careerThe ‘Power Up Your LinkedIn Profile’ online course, to create a powerful LinkedIn profile and build your confidence at using LinkedIn to get your next role.The free pdf condensed version of Fay’s HR Planner for 2023 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

Although the FSCS (Financial Services Compensation Scheme) is a relatively small organisation, employing around 250 people, the People team’s work in the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion space has led to it consistently ranking in the ‘Top 50 Most Inclusive Employers’ list.In this episode of HR Coffee Time, their Head of People – Lisa Faulkner shares practical tips and advice for any organisation who wants to focus on EDI based on her experience within the FSCS.Lisa’s advice includes:1.    Start small and then expand on what you’ve done so far.2.    Use internal and external data.3.    Set yourself realistic targets.4.    Turn to other organisations for advice and support.5.    Commit to charters.6.    Ask people throughout your organisation what will help them.7.    Consider the wider impact you can have on the local community and the world as a whole.Key Resources Mentioned in This EpisodeBusiness in the CommunityThe Race at Work CharterChange the Race RatioAdecco’s Creating Brighter Futures programCIPD’s Equality, Diversity & Inclusion reportsThe Women in Finance CharterThe Responsible Business TrackerPositive EastLisa’s Book Recommendations(Disclosure: this book link is an affiliate link which means that Fay will receive a small commission from Amazon if you make a purchase through it)The HR (R)Evolution: Change the Workplace, Change the World, by Alan Watkins & Nick DaltonCoherence: The Science of Exceptional Leadership and Performance, by Alan Watkins Connect With FayConnect with Fay on LinkedInFay’s website: Bright Sky Career Coaching Other Relevant HR Coffee Time EpisodesEpisode 58: How to feel more confident using data & analytics in your HR role, with Angela MoyleEpisode 70: Supporting yourself, or your colleagues at work with Tourette Syndrome, with Devon LovellEpisode 68: Real life insights into understanding & supporting autism in the workplace, with Cybill WatkinsEpisode 65: Practical strategies that empower women to succeed in leadership roles, with Carla MillerEpisode 59: ADHD – a personal story of the strengths, struggles & strategies that help, with Julie WhiteEpisode 42: Diversity & Inclusion at work – 7 mistakes to avoid (& what to do instead), with Dr Jonathan Ashong-LampteyEpisode 24: Understanding & supporting neurodiversity at work, with Melanie FrancisEpisode 14: Understanding & fixing your organisations gender pay gap, with Melissa BlissettEpisode 12: Supporting women returning to work after a career break, with Sally Dhillon Rate and Review the PodcastIf you found this episode of HR Coffee Time helpful, please can you rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify? If you’re kind enough to leave a review, please do 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, they can help you through:1:1 coaching to overcome your career challengesGroup coaching – build your confidence, credibility & influence in 6 weeks through Fay’s signature programme, Inspiring HRInterview coaching to succeed in your next interviewCareer change coaching to find a new, more fulfilling careerThe ‘Power Up Your LinkedIn Profile’ online course, to create a powerful LinkedIn profile and build your confidence at using LinkedIn to get your next role.The free pdf condensed version of Fay’s HR Planner for 2023 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

Whether you’re working in a tiny organisation or a huge one, you will have to interact with teams. And because people and relationships are complicated, those teams won’t always be working together as well as they could be. This can have a negative impact on the people in that team, other people around them and ultimately on the success of the organisation or business you all work for.In this episode of HR Coffee Time, Fay Wallis is joined by Gabriella Braun, who shares fascinating insights into groups and teams, explaining three of the unconscious ways teams behave destructively when they’re under pressure.Gabriella is the author of, “All That We Are” and the Director of Working Well, a specialist consultancy firm using psychoanalytic and systemic thinking to help leaders and teams to understand the hidden truths of their behaviour at work. Listen to the episode or read the transcript on the Bright Sky Career Coaching website to learn all about destructive team dynamics – how to spot them & get things back on track.  Books Mentioned 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 either of them)Gabriella’s book recommendation: “The Examined Life: How We Lose and Find Ourselves” by Stephen GroszGabriella’s book: “All That We Are: Uncovering the Hidden Truths Behind Our Behaviour at Work” by Gabriella Braun Connect With Fay & GabriellaConnect with Gabriella on LinkedInConnect with Fay on LinkedInGabriella’s consultancy website: Working WellGabriella’s book website: Gabriella BraunFay’s website: Bright Sky Career CoachingOther Relevant HR Coffee Time EpisodesEpisode 35: Helping teams thrive with personal user manualsEpisode 22: How to handle conflict at work, with Ginny RadmallRate and Review the PodcastIf you found this episode of HR Coffee Time helpful, please can you rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify? If you’re kind enough to leave a review, please do 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, they can help you through:1:1 coaching to overcome your career challengesGroup coaching – build your confidence, credibility & influence in 6 weeks through Fay’s signature programme, Inspiring HRInterview coaching to succeed in your next interviewCareer change coaching to find a new, more fulfilling careerThe ‘Power Up Your LinkedIn Profile’ online course, to create a powerful LinkedIn profile and build your confidence at using LinkedIn to get your next role.The free pdf condensed version of Fay’s HR Planner for 2023Mentioned 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

A lack of confidence can stop us from tackling all sorts of challenges at work. Maybe it's holding you back from putting your ideas forward for a new initiative, or preventing you from creating and presenting an HR or People strategy for the first time, or stopping you from challenging someone at work when you disagree with them, or you can't bring yourself to speak up in meetings.Whatever your challenge is - this episode of HR Coffee Time is here to help. In it, career & executive coach Fay Wallis shares 3 tips to tackle a challenge at work when you aren't feeling confident:Creating a vision boardAdopting a test-and-learn approachUsing affirmationsKey Resources Mentioned in This EpisodeThe Essential HR Planner"Big Feelings: How to be okay when things are not okay" by Liz Fosslein & Mollie West Duffy"I Can Do It: How to use affirmations to change your life" by Louise Hay (Disclosure: the book links are affiliate links, which means Fay will receive a small commission from Amazon if you make a purchase through either of them.)Connect With FayConnect with Fay on LinkedInFay’s website: Bright Sky Career CoachingOther Relevant HR Coffee Time EpisodesEpisode 1: How to feel more confident at workEpisode 36: Four simple but powerful techniques to banish imposter syndrome, with Joanna LottEpisode 73: 5 ways to feel more confident in your next interview, meeting, or presentationRate and Review the PodcastIf you found this episode of HR Coffee Time helpful, please can you rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify? If you're kind enough to leave a review, please do 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, they can help you through:1:1 coaching to overcome your career challengesGroup coaching – build your confidence, credibility & influence in 6 weeks through Fay’s signature programme, Inspiring HRInterview coaching to succeed in your next interviewCareer change coaching to find a new, more fulfilling careerThe ‘Power Up Your LinkedIn Profile’ online course, to create a powerful LinkedIn profile and build your confidence at using LinkedIn to get your next role.The Essential HR Planner 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