In Good Company

News, views and adventures from public speaking, panels and podcasts

A smiling woman with blonde hair and glasses on her head, speaking at an outdoor event, standing in front of a sign that says "VarnFest Future Leaders - Learn, Develop, Grow" with a blue and yellow background. She is wearing a sleeveless dark blue dress.

VarnFest Future Leaders 2025

How To Have Difficult Conversations

I was delighted to return to Varn to speak at VarnFest Future Leaders in May. My session explored what makes certain conversations feel challenging and some practical tools to make them easier and more effective. From giving and receiving feedback to discussing pay and setting boundaries, the session focused on essential skills for young professionals stepping into leadership.

It was such a great opportunity to support future leaders in building confidence and communication skills, and also to share the mistakes we’ve all made!

You can find out more about VarnFest Future Leaders at the link below.

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Logo with the words 'Bristol Creative Industries' in bold, stylized black font on a white background.

Bristol Creative Industries- Wake Up Call

How Team Coaching can unlock the potential, purpose and performance of your team

The Bristol Creative Industries Wake Up Call series is a hugely valuable resource for professionals sharing insight and inspiration.

I shared why great teams don’t happen by chance, and how investing in how a team works together can make a real differenceto its impact. It was a lively and practical session for anyone working in or leading a team.

You can find out more about the event and Bristol Creative Industries at the link below.

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VarnFest 2024 Learn Share and Grow

What does trust make possible in a team and how to build it?

Always an insightful and restorative day out to attend, it was a huge pleasure to speak at VarnFest on the topic of trust and leadership.

In this interactive session, I shared five practical perspectives on trust, from how it can be a competitive advantage to how leaders can build (or destroy) trust every day through their behaviour. We explored ways to reflect on our own trustworthiness, how to avoid unintentionally eroding trust, and the difference between trust and psychological safety. It was a rich discussion with plenty of takeaways.

You can find out more about VarnFest at the link below.

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Watercolor illustration of a rustic inn named The Coaching Inn with outdoor seating area, umbrellas, and lush green surroundings.

The Coaching Inn Podcast

Series 2, Episode 8 - How do you use the Role question in STOKeRS?

It was an honour to join Claire Pedrick and fellow coaches on the 3D podcast to explore how we handle ‘I don’t know’ moments in coaching conversations.

We talked about the importance of right-sizing the work from the start, asking clear role questions like ‘How shall we do this?’ and creating space for genuine exploration. It was a rich and thought-provoking discussion, and I’d love for you to have a listen, whether you’re a coach or a coachee.

Listen here
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Everybody Hates Your Brand Podcast

Episode 31 - Talking about barriers to great thinking and performance with Special Guest Fiona Craig

Today’s commercial world demands our very best thinking, but can often neglect what we all need to achieve it. I joined Rob to discuss some of the common barriers to great thinking and performance.

We discussed practical ways to overcome them, from psychological safety to radical candour, and reflected on how hybrid working has shifted team dynamics.

Have a listen in the link below.

Listen here