On average someone is diagnosed with cancer at least every 90 seconds in the UK. That's a hard-hitting statistic.

What is also alarming is a finding by a Cancer@Work study that found 50% of people undergoing cancer treatment are too scared to tell their bosses they have cancer. Fear gets in the way.

When you add to that the discomfort many line managers have about talking to employees about their cancer, we realise we have a BIG problem. But it shouldn't be.

Like everything I talk about when advocating for a work culture where employees are able to show up with authenticity and experience what they need to feel and perform well... it's about simply being human.

That does not require managers or colleagues to be subject experts. But it does require genuine care and curiosity. After all, cancer, like most things in life, is a unique experience, so it's about getting to know the individual's reality by asking.

This podcast conversation with the brilliant Sharron Moffatt helps us understand what to say and do, what to avoid, and the very real difference that can make.

Why? Because with stats like that above, cancer is definitely not a niche - you need to know your part.

It will affect your workforce.

It will affect your reputation.

Sharron specialises in mental health and has lived experience of cancer. She is incredibly good at communicating what you need to know, usually with a sprinkling of her awesome energy and humour that makes her super easy to engage with. I can't recommend her highly enough if you're looking for workshops and support.

Sharron Moffatt, a Mental Health Trainer, Cancer Awareness Ambassador and Speaker brings 30 years of global experience in health and wellbeing, and her approach is as inspiring as it is relatable.

Mental health and cancer can be challenging subjects, but Sharron has a unique way of breaking down barriers and making these conversations feel relatable, approachable, and empowering. Drawing on her professional expertise and a side of hard-earned wisdom, she’s passionate about sparking real, meaningful change—both in the workplace and in the lives of everyone she touches.

LinkedIn: Sharron Moffatt

Instagram: @50_bald_and_boobless

Website: sharronmoffatt.co.uk

Leadership Labs | It's Time for Change (itstimeforchange.co.uk)

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Managing Cancer in the Workplace (www.macmillan.org.uk)

How to Create a Cancer Aware Workplace Culture (cancersupportuk.org)

www.worldcancerday.org

Ever wondered how playfulness and authentic communication could revolutionise workplace culture and accelerate outstanding leadership? In this episode I joined Chris Marshall, Behavioural Scientist and Founder of The Playfulness Institute, as a guest on his 'The Being Playful Podcast'.

We talked about how creating the right environment enables both people and businesses to flourish. I shared my perspective on workplace dynamics, revealing how understanding and responding to human needs creates environments where creativity, innovation, and authentic connection can thrive. I explain how focusing on the human side of business leads to better performance and engagement.

The conversation explores the deep connection between environment, emotional awareness, and performance, with key insights including:

• The distinction between controlling performance and creating conditions for excellence
• How acknowledging emotions can transform team dynamics
• The importance of leaders modelling authentic behaviour
• Why collective intelligence trumps individual brilliance
• The power of understanding and working with our natural stress responses

We deep dive into:

• How creating psychologically safe environments enables peak performance
• Why pausing and self-awareness are crucial for effective leadership
• The importance of normalising emotional responses in professional settings
• How playfulness naturally emerges when stress levels decrease
• The role of curiosity in fostering innovation and connection

The discussion takes fascinating turns into how both playfulness and emotional awareness can help manage uncertainty, encourage authentic expression, and create environments where innovation flourishes. This leads to more effective leadership and deeper workplace relationships.

Chris Marshall is a Behavioural Scientist, Futurist and Psychologist and the founder of The Playfulness Institute, a not-for-profit organisation that helps organisations, teams and leaders cultivate places where humans can thrive through playfulness.

LinkedIn:

Chris Marshall

The Playfulness Institute

Website: www.playfulnessinstitute.org

Podcast Survey

Leadership Labs | It's Time for Change (itstimeforchange.co.uk)

The Being Playful Podcast (Spotify)

The Being Playful Podcast (Apple Podcasts)

Playful Insights - Playfulness Institute Blog

Three Pillar Playfulness Scale...

This is a first! Recording in front of a live audience at Google HQ for part of the fantastic Alliance of Independent Agencies' Festival of Happiness was exciting if not slightly daunting. But my guest, Jaye Cowle of award-winning company Launch, was an absolute delight to talk with.

Why listen? You get to hear about why Launch won the 'Independent Agency Purpose Award' recently. And that's not something to be sniffed at.

Spoiler alert... it was about creating a happy performance agency, having a clear purpose, and setting out to measure the impact that work on culture has on performance.

Jaye shares how she went about leading that, what she learnt, and how she overcame some of the pitfalls along the way. She provides sound advice for other business leaders who are thinking of embarking on a similar journey to become industry leaders in the future.

Jaye Cowle is the CEO & Founder of Launch, the happy performance agency. From kitchen table to £3m+, she has scaled Launch without investment and has set targets to double revenue in the next two years. Her ethos is happy people do great work. Jaye has created a high performing team at Launch by being a champion for both employee well-being and professional growth. Jaye speaks widely about leadership, team motivation, and building a thriving agency culture powered by happiness. Her infectious positivity and commitment to excellence makes her standout in the industry and a role model for female entrepreneurs. Under her guidance, Launch has become a trusted partner for brands looking to drive growth through their digital advertising and connect meaningfully with their potential customers. She sits on the Google Exec Circle as the only sole female founder.

LinkedIn:

Jaye Cowle

Launch

Website: www.launchonline.co.uk

For leaders and managers looking to develop their practice within their individual context, Labs are a brilliant opportunity to learn, experiment and evaluate, focused on the specific challenges you face. Find out more: Leadership Labs | It's Time for Change (itstimeforchange.co.uk)

Festival of Happiness 2024: Main stage panel session: ‘How Happy People Drive Performance'

People First for Business Success (itstimeforchange.co.uk)

Psychological Safety (itstimeforchange.co.uk)

Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us - Daniel H. Pink (amazon.co.uk)

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For free resources that you can use for yourself or your team, check out: itstimeforchange.co.uk/category/resources

To be on the receiving...

Ever been accused of being a bully? Or of being terrifying? Maybe not. But maybe you have experienced feedback that has shocked you because it was not what you intended.

The void between what we want to communicate and how our communication lands can be enormous. Most of us haven't had the opportunity to learn about how we feedback and challenge. And when this vital part of developing communication skills is missing, it's left to chance that our ability to engage with others matches what we want.

Now imagine you're the person lower down the hierarchy trying to give feedback to that person with power. Whether we like it or not, hierarchies exist and they often become barriers to people speaking up. In this conversation with Miranda Williams we explore how to reduce those walls. We unpick strategies for both bosses to reduce their sense of authority, and those in their teams to step up and and use their own power.

In this episode of the Beyond the Water Cooler podcast, Miranda shares many stories from her own experience, identifying times she has got it wrong, how she has put it right, and what she has learnt on her journey to becoming the self-aware person she is today.

Miranda's stories will resonate - they're about being human and navigating the uncertain and uncomfortable territory of challenging conversations.

How actively are you embracing the opportunity to develop your practice and to empower those around you?

If you want to continue the conversation, reach out to us.

Miranda Williams has 20+ years of leadership and management experience in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industry, with a strong focus on process improvement within Supply Chain Operations. She is a trained executive coach, and now runs her own coaching and consultancy practice. Miranda specialises in empowering individuals and teams to enhance their development, with particular focus in building confidence, fostering team dynamics, and improving influence and relationships within organisations.

LinkedIn: Miranda Williams

Leadership Labs | It's Time for Change (itstimeforchange.co.uk)

Team discussion frameworks to help some conversations happen more easily:

itstimeforchange.co.uk/team-discussion-framework

itstimeforchange.co.uk/stress-mapping

Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes are High, Third Edition Hardcover – 18 Nov. 2021 (amazon.co.uk)

Watch this episode on YouTube

For free resources that you can use for yourself or your team, check out: itstimeforchange.co.uk/category/resources

To be on the receiving end of new, free, downloadable resources, join the club here: itstimeforchange.co.uk/jointheclub

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lisapsychology

Website: itstimeforchange.co.uk

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I love Tammy's phrase about wellbeing running through the veins of an organisation. When you achieve that, you are equipped to deal with any conversation that arises. And all because you start by putting people first.

That means being vulnerable and stepping into their space to learn about what someone else is experiencing and what they need.

18th October is menopause awareness day. It's a great time to remind you about the impact of menopause on women in leadership positions in your organisation.

And it's an even better time to remember the golden rule at work which is simply to demonstrate that you care.

Regardless of how people show up, being able to ask 2 questions can be a game changer...

1️⃣ What does someone's experience mean for them in terms of how it feels and impacts?

2️⃣ What do they need from you/the workplace to help them show up in the best way possible, in their circumstances?

Listen to the practical advice in this episode of the podcast to increase your confidence about speaking up and enabling others to have their voice heard.

Thank you Tammy Gee 😉

Good old 'getting people right to get business right'.

Tammy Gee, is a BANT registered Nutritional Therapist (DipION, mBANT, CNHC) specialising in perimenopause and menopause, on a mission to increase conversation and education around hormone health in the workplace.

"The conversation is important not just in the private clinic setting but also within the corporate setting"

Tammy works with HR, Diversity & Inclusion, and Communication teams to produce support guides, policies, and strategies relating to menopause and menstrual health in the workplace. Tammy also offers a range of educational workshops, support sessions and wellbeing content for any organisations looking to support women's health in the workplace.

LinkedIn: tammygee

Website: www.sevencoloursofnutrition.co.uk

Facebook: sevencoloursofnutrition

Instagram: @sevencoloursofnutrition

Leadership Labs | It's Time for Change (itstimeforchange.co.uk)

Watch this episode on YouTube

Menopause and the Workplace (www.themenopausecharity.org)

69% [women in menopause] experienced difficulties with anxiety and depression - Landmark Study: Menopausal Women let down by Employers and Healthcare Providers - Fawcett Society

1 in 10 women leave their job due to menopause symptoms - Menopause and the Workplace report by the Fawcett Society and Channel 4, which polled 4,000 women aged 45-55.

For free resources that you can use for yourself or your team, check out: itstimeforchange.co.uk/category/resources

To be on the receiving end of new, free, downloadable resources, join the club here: