So I have been working with these guys recently who have a passion for transforming London’s food landscape- check out their website 

As another Holocaust memorial day draws to a close, surely this above everything else is what matters? One’s humanity and human-ness? I count myself very fortunate that I work with humans everyday. Whether it be ‘training’, professional development, coaching, teaching, parenting or facilitating. It all really boils down to this idea...”Don’t try to be perfect just try to be an excellent human!"

"Its not what you know, but who you are that matters"
So many interesting discussions this week around this topic.  How may times have you berated yourself for not being 'smart' or 'clever' enough. or say to yourself "I should know this!". I was utterly convinced when I started teaching that I would be 'found out' (actually most people I know still think this). If I'm really honest I still do it. You can have all the theories and facts up your sleeve but if you can't deliver it with presence and personality it goes for nought. This came from the Harvard Business School today.
Research from the Center for Talent Innovation found that executive presence rests on three pillars:

• Gravitas. This is the core characteristic, with 67% of the 268 senior executives surveyed saying that gravitas is what really matters to move to a leadership position. More than intellectual horsepower, gravitas is about signaling that you have the confidence and credibility to get your point across and create buy-in when the going gets rough.
• Communication. People know you have gravitas because you communicate the authority of a leader through your bearing, speaking skills, and ability to command a room. That’s why 28% of executives surveyed put this attribute at the top of the list of leadership materials.
• Appearance. While only 5% of leaders consider appearance key in executive presences, all recognize its power as a critical filter — and its potential for derailing talented up-and-comers.

These three pillars are universal and interrelated. If your communication skills ensure you can command a room, your gravitas grows exponentially; conversely, if your presentation is rambling and your manner timid, your gravitas plummets. And while you may be the smartest guy or gal in the room, no one will pay much attention to what you say if they’re distracted by the coffee stains on your shirt or a neckline gaping down to your navel.

So true!

It has been a pleasure working with Jeanette Whitton from the Oyster Project which is a disability self-help charity in Lewes.  They are an incredible group of highly creative people. I am thrilled to be able to facilitate a workshop for them this summer and I look forward to my lunch at their drop in Cafe on Wednesdays. http://www.oysterproject.org.uk

After months of research and development we are kicking off the Management Development Programme at White Light  with an Induction day tomorrow.  Very excited! Looking forward to meeting and working with the staff over the next 6 months.  We are delivering over 20 Module Courses starting with Communication Skills through to Leadership and Management.  It's fantastic to work with a company so committed to training and development! http://www.White Light.ltd.uk