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Latest from Incendo

Awareness, Blog

There is a title slide from a webinar on invisible disabilities, plus a photo of the trainber and a list of 6 ways to be more inclusive,

Making invisible disability visible at work

This week, I delivered a live webinar for clients in the healthcare sector on Making Invisible Disability Visible. What stood out was not just the content, but the quality of attention in the…

Insight

When did work become an obstacle course of jargon?

I’ve lost count of how many times recently I’ve been asked to fire an email over, or jump on a Zoom meeting, or grab a link to a deal, and my working day…

Insight

Tell me you’re an empath and I get a red flag

When I meet someone new and they tell me within the first few minutes that they’re an empath, I feel an unmistakable red flag rise somewhere in my chest. It’s not a small,…

Tips

What ‘The Celebrity Traitors’ teaches us about team development

If you’ve been watching The Celebrity Traitors, you’ll know it’s a masterclass in team dynamics. There’s strategy, suspicion, shifting alliances and – this week – an unexpected subplot involving Celia Imrie’s flatulence that…

Tips

When “can” gets ahead of “should” in L&D

Your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn’t stop to think if they should. That quote – courstesy of the character Dr Ian Malcolm in ‘Jurassic Park’ –…

Awareness

Breaking free from normalised neglect

In Part 1, I highlighted the overlooked toxicity of benign neglect and the toll it takes on individuals and organisations. In that blog post, I shared that I’d worked somewhere that had an…

Awareness

The overlooked toxicity of benign neglect

When we think of toxic workplaces, we often imagine explosive managers, excessive micromanagement, or fear-based cultures. But one of the most overlooked forms of toxicity is also the quietest: benign neglect. This pattern…

Insight

Mindfulness is not your goji berry

Back in the early 2000s, superfoods were everywhere. Juicers flew off the shelves and suddenly everyone was sprinkling seeds or berries onto whatever they were eating. At the time, I worked in a…

Insight

Confidence smiles, arrogance smirks

The other day I was talking to my teenage son about confidence. He admires someone at school who, in his words, is “super confident”. Yet from where I sit – with a few…

Insight

What does self-care really smell like?

During one of my recent workshops on wellbeing, the group naturally moved into discussion about the importance of downtime and self care, which produced some lively conversations about guilty pleasures. They drew me…

Insight

Why kindness is often mistaken for naivety in business

In the business world, we’re often told to be strategic, assertive and tough. These traits are held up as the hallmarks of competence and leadership potential, and yet there’s another cohort of professionals…

Insight

What MS has taught me about pacing, boundaries and showing up

I’ve mentioned it here and there – in blog posts, in passing on social media – that I’ve lived with a confirmed multiple sclerosis diagnosis for a decade (with symptoms and issues for…

Tips

7 daily leadership habits that stop team stress before it starts

The best time to address workplace stress isn’t when your team is already overwhelmed – it’s before stress becomes a problem. While most advice focuses on managing existing stress, savvy leaders know that…

Insight

Compassion without the halo

I’ve been feeling a bit uneasy lately about the way compassion gets talked about. Everywhere I look there seems to be another “community of practice” dedicated to it. These gatherings often radiate good…

Awareness

It’s No Brainer Day – so stop overthinking (just for today)

Today, 27th February, is No Brainer Day. I’ll admit, it’s not one of the more famous awareness days. You won’t find themed cupcakes in the supermarket or hashtags trending on X. But it…

Awareness

When two people learn together, everyone grows

Organisations are full of untapped wisdom. Some of it sits quietly in the experience of senior leaders who’ve weathered decades of change. Some of it lives in the fresh perspectives of newer staff…

Insight

A fresh start without the pressure

As the clock struck midnight on 31st December, I found myself swept up in the excitement of a new year (no, I wasn’t out celebrating in a pub or on the streets of…

Guest blogger, Insight

Sarah’s story: adjusting to life with a disability

by Sarah Boobyer, guest blogger Sarah Boobyer works in the recruitment team of a busy charity called Dimensions and this is her story about invisible disability, shared today as part of Incendo’s activities…

Insight

A day to reject forced positivity

‘Have a Bad Day’ Day is an annual awareness day that’s marked on 19th November. This observance provides an opportunity for people to push back against the ubiquitous social expectation to “have a…

Awareness, Tips

Tackling the unique challenges of male mental health at work

Mental health is a critical aspect of overall wellbeing, yet it’s an area that has historically been overlooked, particularly when it comes to men. Societal norms and expectations often discourage men from openly…

Tips

Leading through survivor syndrome

Organisational restructuring can be a challenging and unsettling time for employees, especially those who find that their position has been made redundant. A group of people that are often overlooked in processes like…

Tips

5 lessons from rescuing a dog (and how they apply to your life)

A week ago today, we decided to give a forever home to a wonderful little dog from Clymping Dog Sanctuary in West Sussex. His name is Rocky and he’s a Cairn Terrier crossed with…

Tips

Taking the plunge with a career change

Olympic champion Tom Daley’s recent announcement of his retirement from diving has prompted some media speculation about the possible pursuit of a fashion design career (he already has a clothes business and is…

Tips

Learning from the workshop that started without me

During a recent Incendo Trainer Development Programme, I found myself sharing a story that still makes me wince and laugh in equal measure. It’s one of those moments that lives long in a…

Tips

Harnessing the power of ‘Away From’ motivation

I saw the recent campaign from Kamala Harris and the Democrats in the USA, and it got me thinking about the motivation packed into just a few words within their slogan, “We are…

Awareness

The Bystander Effect & its impact on workplace bullying

I recently designed and implemented an anti-bullying and harassment training programme for one of Incendo’s clients. I consulted with the client organisation during the design phase and researched real examples of bullying that…

Recommendation

Get inspired with a book this Mental Health Awareness Week

Here at Incendo HQ, we love good quality, non-fiction books about personal development and wellbeing – so, to mark Mental Health Awareness Week 2024, I am recommending five well-thumbed titles from the office…

Tips

Understanding & managing stress with the Stress Bucket model

Stress is an inevitable part of our professional and personal lives. It’s how we respond to stress that can make all the difference in our wellbeing. This week at Incendo, I’ve been delivering…

Tips

Encourage understanding between employees with opposing views

As a team leader, navigating the complexities of differing viewpoints among your employees can be a delicate and challenging task. However, I think it’s a crucial responsibility that, when handled effectively, can lead…

Insight

Is there a ghosting epidemic?

It was a Tuesday afternoon and I was eagerly awaiting a response from a potential client about a project proposal I had submitted the previous week – they’d expressed a desire to move…

Blog

When loud voices dominate the room (or the pool)

The scene repeated itself daily at our hotel in Abu Dhabi: families lounging by the pristine swimming pool, children paddling at the water’s edge – and one man whose booming voice carried effortlessly…

Tips

Reading the virtual room for psychological safety

“Sorry, I was on mute” – we’ve all said it. But beneath this common virtual meeting faux pas lies a deeper truth: speaking up in virtual meetings can sometimes feel like stepping onto…

Awareness

Why do we need International Men’s Day anyway?

In today’s world, we often hear about different awareness days being celebrated throughout the year; it can surely only be a positive thing that awareness continues to be raised about a diverse range…

Awareness

Odd Socks Day marks the start of Anti-Bullying Week

Each year on the second Monday in November, millions of people put on odd socks to raise awareness of bullying across the UK. Lots of workplaces take part alongside endorsement from celebrities including…

Insight

The impact of a celebrity’s death on emotions: why we feel connected

I ran an online Community of Practice session for fellow mindfulness teachers this morning. During one of the discussions, our conversation turned to the news overnight of the death of actor, Matthew Perry,…

Insight

Do managers overestimate their leadership ability in 360s?

Assessing our own abilities is a critical aspect of personal and professional growth. It’s essential for managers to have a realistic understanding of their leadership capabilities and skills in order to effectively lead…

Tips

The art of an effective, authentic apology

Like many other people in the UK today, I watched the news footage of Gillian Keegan, Secretary of State for Education (and Conservative MP for Chichester), providing an apology for her rant about…

Tips

How should I deal with the martyr in my team?

Have you ever worked with someone who constantly complains about their workload and how hard their job is, and who believes that they’re always having to pick up the (imagined) slack because nobody…

Tips

Navigating the disturbing dynamic of narcissism in the workplace

When people talk about narcissism, the images that often come to mind are those of vain individuals obsessed with their appearance. However, narcissism isn’t limited to our personal lives; it can also infiltrate…

Awareness

Relieve stress with mindfulness during Mental Health Awareness Week 2023

Mindfulness meditation can be a great tool for improving mental health and reducing stress. During Mental Health Awareness Week 2023, try incorporating a basic mindfulness meditation into your daily routine. Begin by finding…

Insight

How the Love Languages might have a place in leadership

I was facilitating a leadership development programme recently with a group of managers employed by one of Incendo’s clients in the legal sector. As often happens with this particular group, we concluded the…

Tips

The ancient breathing trick that calms your mind in just 30 seconds

When panic strikes, your smartphone’s breathing app is buried in your pocket and that “just stay calm” advice feels impossible – try this instead: draw a star in the air. This centuries-old technique,…

Insight

Look at her dirty laundry

A young couple, Simon and Laura, moved into a new neighbourhood. The next morning while they were in the kitchen eating breakfast, Laura saw her neighbour hanging washing outside to dry. “That laundry…

Awareness, Tips

Introducing mindfulness to children during Children’s Mental Health Week

The theme for 2023’s Children’s Mental Health Week (6-12 February) is ‘Let’s Connect’. This is about making meaningful connections for all, during Children’s Mental Health Week – and beyond. People thrive in communities, and…

Insight

What makes a walk a ‘wellbeing walk’, anyway?

Here’s a photo I took this morning while I was on a short stroll around the farm where Incendo is based. The other day I posted a similar picture on LinkedIn while I…

Tips

When busyness hides what you really feel

“I know I should be tackling our strategy launch, but I keep finding myself buried in operational details instead.” That confession came from a CEO client in a coaching session with me, and…

Tips

Handling sleepiness when you practise mindfulness meditation

During an online mindfulness and wellbeing course I’m running for one of Incendo’s clients in the care sector, a participant highlighted an obstacle to practising meditation which they’d encountered: namely, sleepiness. Experiencing different levels…

Insight

Being more fully human with The 5 Freedoms

I first discovered the work of Virginia Satir over 15 years ago as part of my NLP Practitioner training at that time. She is considered to be a pioneer in the therapy world…

Tools

Guided Meditation: Relieving Stress

This short guided mindfulness meditation offers a moment out of the everyday stressors that we all experience. It’s five minutes long and you can begin now by clicking on the image below (video…

Recommendation

In case you need an excuse to pick up a book

For some people, reading is their ultimate form of relaxation and enjoyment. For others, reading can seem like a bit of a chore. No matter which category you fall into, I encourage you…

Tips

12 tips to nurture a growth mindset

When you’re interacting with others – especially in meetings or other group situations at work – do you frequently feel like you’re being judged? Are there times when you will put deliberate effort…

Blog

We have moved!

I’m pleased to confirm that Incendo HQ has now moved to Waltham Business Park in the heart of the Hampshire countryside in Swanmore. In contrast to our previous location, the peace and quiet…

Tools

Bingo for trainers and facilitators

Are you a trainer or facilitator? Do you regularly run group training sessions or learning workshops? I have a free download for you. This Bingo for Trainers & Facilitators game will help you…

Insight

Could volunteering make you happier this Volunteers Week?

Volunteers Week takes place 1-7 June every year in the UK. It’s a chance to recognise the fantastic contribution volunteers make to our communities and say thank you. Volunteers Week is supported by…

Insight

New year, strong you

Despite its positive intent, I’ve always thought that the ‘New Year, New You’ idea implies that there’s something wrong with the old you. You’re not thin enough, rich enough, attractive enough, relaxed enough,…

Tips

Is your career development programme living the dream?

What would it be like if companies could help their employees achieve their most profound goals – not just their work objectives, but their dreams? Imagine the difference it could make to engagement…

Recommendation

My top 10 bookshelf picks for World Book Day

Today is World Book Day and it’s the perfect opportunity to make some time in your life to read. Whether you’re a sci-fi fanatic, a lover of the classics, or a non-fiction buff, there’s…

“Make the most of yourself by fanning the tiny, inner sparks of possibility into flames of achievement.”

Golda Meir

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“Make the most of yourself by fanning the tiny, inner sparks of possibility into flames of achievement.”

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