Our latest series is all about Redefining Careers and this first episode focuses on the benefits of having different experiences to enable more choice as you progress along your journey. Whether planned or unplanned, actively seeking new experiences gives us more resilience if options suddenly change (recessions, redundancies etc) and keeps us empowered and confident to leave if we are not happy in what we are doing. We are delighted this week to be joined by our amazing guest Andy Pule, who shares his advice for having different experiences. Now working at Director level in an organisation, it is inspiring to hear how often the blips become the opportunities that open up new job experiences. Relationships that form in the early days, can last for years as paths cross again. Its a great listen for anyone feeling stuck in their role and is worrying about leaving; to reassure yourself that the wisdom you have gained in your current role could be really useful in another organisation.

As with so much in life, its about attitude. With a career blip, its about not letting it sit as a chip on your shoulder, but to flip it to a 'what, how, when can I do something about this?' to keep empowered and confident. Blip, chip, flip - its about valuing your unique skills and life is too short to stay stuck in a job that is not right for you. It may take a few years to create the safety net in your life to be able to have choices, but having that exit plan reminds you that you matter.

Andy can be contacted via LinkedIn: Andy Pule

Curious for more?

Ep. 155 When Familiarity Breed Contempt - keep the spark going over the years in role
Ep. 144 Shifting From Imposter to Empower - believing in yourself
Ep.140 Keeping an Optimistic Mindset - how to take the blip and flip (not chip!)
Ep. 137 Keeping Well in a Corporate - a TA perspective with guest Lindsey Thompson

In the final of our 4-part focus on 'Future Ready, Today' we explore the benefits, skills and opportunities from bringing coaching or mentoring approach to everyday life. To have a 'coach' is now seen as an asset rather than something to be embarrassed about, so we share the top tips for coaching as well as practical examples for shifting from a tell-to-ask style of conversation. If training is about sharing knowledge, coaching is about enabling the other person to engage and commit to apply it in real life. Mentoring is a great way to share advice and wisdom - and adding in some coaching questions at the end keeps the conversation future focused.

As well as enabling change and improvement in others, looking for moments and opportunities to coach people keeps us future-ready as well. Being able to question (with intuition), listen (with attention), adapt (with purpose) and empower others is a un-automatable human mix of skills likely to be premium for the future.

NB: The ICF is seen the gold-standard for coaching and a good place to start exploring: via International Coaching Federation- Professional Coaching Association

Curious for more? Check out our relevant episodes:

Ep. 154 Supercharge Your Development With a PDP
Ep. 149 Maximising Your Performance Potential
Ep. 105 Inspiring Others to Succeed
Ep. 94 Everyday Coaching Skills (more explanation on the GROW coaching format)

In this second episode in our 4-part focus on 'Future Readiness, Today' we look at easy, everyday ways to seek moments to learn and develop ourselves. As the waves of change due to automation, digitisation and AI continue to wash through the world of work, now is not the time to copy and paste our way through the working day. Although efficiency helps today be easier, it could reduce our creativity, confidence and empowerment in the future.

We take a practical and proactive look at what we can do today to set up well for the future. Taking Ownership for our CPD (continuing professional development) no matter where you are in/out an organisation. Practising Metacognition (thinking about your thinking) to get into the Habit of learning. Learning habits include setting a PDP and reviewing it monthly/quarterly (regardless of a line manager!), having visual reminders to keep learning new knowledge at the forefront of your mind. Mentoring, buddy groups and knowledge circles are great ways to keep learning fresh 'fibrous' info, alongside the pre-processed convenience -knowledge via google or an AI guide.

Curious for more? Check out our relevant episodes:

Ep. 97 Summer School: G is for Growth Mindset
Ep. 85 Inspiring Confidence in the Next Gen Workforce#
Ep. 67 The Gift of Hard-Won Wisdom
Ep. 34 To Adapt is to Flourish - with Tom Willis talking about moving across industries