6 years ago tragedy - yet learning the importance of finding what you need

I heard some really tough news from a good friend of mine this week, something I so wish he didn’t have to go through and it’s taken me back to 6 years ago almost to the day - like it was yesterday.

You need to look after you first…

Less than a week before my 40th birthday, a routine cancer checkup for my mother turned our world upside down.  It was to be the toughest 5 months imaginable as I watched her gradually loose her fight, never really speaking about the unthinkable or seeking out support personally, even though it was all around me.

I’ve always been so practical, coping with everything and looking after everyone no matter what life threw at me.  And this was no exception with work, home, friends and family all my priority...keeping busy and doing what needed to be done.

BUT, and it’s a big ‘but’, even in small ways some of my biggest learning and growth personally has come out of going through difficulty and tragedy.  I am blessed in so many ways with a wonderful family, amazing friends and some great colleagues - but in the work that I do, I’ve learnt how important it is to make time for myself, do things I enjoy and that make me smile.

The number of times recently I’ve experienced others wanting to find solutions, tackle things head on or simply survive - especially when they cannot affect change in, or for others.  So finding a moment of kindness for yourself is vital for your resilience!

The bad stuff doesn’t go away, it’s definitely still there, and it’s not about needing to get into deep reflection to examine why I’m feeling or reacting badly - but an escape for a few hours, a distraction and doing something fun or different really can be just what you need.

For me it’s taking myself off somewhere, even if surrounded by people but not with people.  Or doing something for me that is a bit out of the ordinary, trying something new but not telling anyone until afterwards, if I want to share.

6 years ago I went physical and branded myself, literally.  A Gecko loses his tail to survive a predator, to live another day, but grows it back again and therefore is a symbol of regeneration. So this weekend I did just that, took myself off and refueled, spent a lot of time outside.

Now I’m ready to take part, to bring it for the coming week - what will give you a personal lift and energy for the coming week no matter what you are facing?

#leadershipitspersonal

How do you create space that works for you?

In my work with individuals and teams in different sectors, professions and all manner of settings - I cannot help notice how big an impact the environment has on effectiveness and resilience!

Yet how often do we stop and notice what’s working for us and what’s not?

Is our office, diary and time during the week fixed or is it simply the way we’ve been working for a long time; habit and automatic?

Instead, what if we take a moment to notice what makes us feel great, what matters and where we’d actually like to spend a bit of time doing something specific. Maybe responding to emails, drafting a key document or making a few calls. Of course you cannot just change everything up - meet clients at the beach or not spend any time commuting, in traffic…

What refreshes you?

Even when you are not on holiday to recharge…

But we can introduce some variety, some pit stops and places that help us feel energised, productive and inspired. It really doesn’t have to be complicated or ‘out there’ either. Simply a cafe you like or a space that takes you away from the norm. For me this morning it’s a coffee and breakfast 20 minutes from home before the hustle and bustle of the day starts and I need to be around for others.

What does matter is that you don’t need to be on a beach sipping a cocktail or beer to grab some relaxation and a much needed energy boost. Find what works for you and create those moments that make a difference in your week. You might even notice an instant shift as well as longer term benefit in a fast paced and pressured world we live in.

As Featured in Brilliant Businesses

Really great to be featured in Brilliant Businesses alongside some amazing local people and companies in Kent. All of us hoping to show what drives us and how we work, of course with the aim of finding new clients and great people to work with.

I hope my passion for helping you be the best and get the best our of your people AND enjoying what you do comes through? To read more just follow the link to find me and others - we are here waiting for you

https://www.brilliantbusinesses.biz/story/cheryl-brooker-cheryl-brooker

HPMA August Newsletter Article - VAR for Leaders

Changing conversations about the more personal side of leadership was the focus of the interactive session in June I delivered with James Devine, at the HPMA National Conference.

After a powerful session where some of our HR colleagues and eminent leaders shared what makes them vulnerable, I was asked to write a brief article for the August Newsletter.

We have so many great development and OD projects going on nationally at any given time; national and local programmes of development and qualifications that can be followed. But sometimes, it’s important to stay closer to home and focus on yourself, how you operate and what triggers you day to day especially under pressure.

I believe there is space out there for some new ways of developing and challenging leadership behaviour that starts with who you are and what makes you you!

This is self-awareness with the dial turned right up! But it takes trust and curiosity to explore and make it count - for increased impact, influence and relationships that create possibilities.

To read the full article (alongside some great contributions and updates from across the HPMA network) follow this link or get get in touch:

https://lnkd.in/e85U7F2

Changing the conversations leaders have

Video series introducing VAR for Leaders

Getting leaders to stop, and think about how they are operating is a big part of what I do. It doesn’t matter whether you are an Owner Manager or a CEO of a larger organisation - this is the ‘stuff’ that really makes a difference if you dare to explore with someone who will challenge you.
This video series aims to spark interest and intrigue - but only a conversation will tune into what’s a priority and opportunity for you right now. I’d love to hear from you because Leadership - It’s Personal!

Watch episode 1 now - it might spark something for you?

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=F2uDg9TZY9M

Activities with your team as well as personally REALLY change impact and influence

C&C Search January Event - Getting to Know Me

I had the pleasure last week of being the host and guest speaker at C&C Search in London. Their first C&C Event of the year, inviting and bringing together clients - creating curiosity and adding value to their many recruitment clients. Great to be part of such energy and buzz in the room.

My focus as ever was exploring the personal side of leadership, the emotional interplay we experience which influences how we influence and impact others and their reactions towards us; helping to find our own unique Leadership Blueprint.

Before the event day arrived , C&C put me through my paces to get to know me better, and this is what I shared with them and I’m happy to share with you…

Because Leadership, It’s Personal

We need to take time to invest in our own leadership

People fascinate and inspire me and, in a world where pressure and change is so fast and everything so immediate, I’m convinced that if we make time and invest in our own leadership, as much as every other aspect of our work and lives, the possibilities are exciting!

 It’s worth taking risks

The common thread in my career is a simple desire to work with people. I left a senior role in the NHS as Deputy Director of HR to create my own business.  That was 10 years ago now. I still support and work with many amazing leaders and teams, on projects within healthcare, industry and elite sport.

Leadership is personal

In my talk I share how an event, seven years ago, opened up a new world for me; a different perspective on leadership.  I truly believe not only that leadership is personal; leadership is who you are!

If we are to have true impact and influence that gets results, qualities such authenticity, vulnerability, resilience and emotional intelligence require us to invest in our self-awareness and self-leadership.

Together we will find out how exploring your own unique patterns, those that work for you and those that hold you back, can take your leadership to a whole new level.

Keep things simple

I honestly think keeping things simple is the secret to success. It helps me tune into what’s going on for me and at the same time, what’s going on for others around me.  It’s not money that makes the world go round, it’s relationships and our ability to interact well with others.

 Surround yourself with great people

As women in business, we need to explore and find good people to have around us, who you can talk with and build different relationships with.  Stay open to any conversation, any feedback or opportunity that will help, challenge and inspire you just when you need it or even when you don’t know you need it.

 Work-life balance is about collaboration

For me, work-life balance is about openness and collaboration. My passion for work and developing others going hand in hand with my passion for my family. The teamwork we have making sure I don’t try and do everything myself, because I simply couldn’t do what I do without their blessing and support.

 I recommend Brené Brown’s Dare To Lead…

One of my latest finds is Brené Brown’s latest Dare To Lead, taking you into “Brave work; Tough Conversations and Whole Hearts.

 2019 is an exciting year for me

I’m taking my new branding and personal approach to developing leaders out into the world, opening up the possibilities of new conversations and adventures. Closer to home, my two teenagers keep mine and my husband’s feet firmly on the ground, observing and supporting them as they negotiate and find their own way in the world

Speaking at Kent CIPD Conference 2018

What an honour to be one of the speakers at this gathering of forward thinking CIPD HR colleagues and professionals. So much learning packed into the day, alongside the all important networking with colleagues you’ve not seen in so long alongside some wonderful new contacts.

I had the pleasure of taking an interactive taster workshop - exploring that leaders with impact, influence and authenticity are more than self-aware; they know and can tune into what drives them and what triggers them, especially under pressure when it counts the most.

We explored how powerful such patterns of behaviour can be. With such a buzz in the room and the feedback afterwards, I know that’s a group of colleagues who are going to be noticing their interactions and reactions in new ways.

Plus, I even broke my no cameras rule and created my first promotional video after 25 years of speaking and facilitating. So thank you to my Kent CIPD colleagues for such a wonderful event and I look forward to seeing many of you soon.

Kent CIPD

The Evolution of HR November 2018

Project Me LIVE! First Event 6th October 2018

Wow Kelly Pietrangeli what an amazing first Project Me Live event!

I was so proud to be entrusted as your MC for the day and to enjoy supporting some fantastic ladies, speakers, your wonderful volunteers and Project Me tribe.

Project Me Live 2018

With the amazing Kelly P of Project Me

It’s not often enough any of us dedicate a whole day to our Health and Wellbeing, and I know for sure I have taken some amazing practical steps since. Whether I am making sure I take micro-moments of self-care that makes all the difference when juggling everything (thank you @Suzy Reading); paying more attention to my posture I promise Charlene (@positivelyslim) or being more connected with my breath Dominique (@BeSphro) I am building my health toolkit and feeling much better for it.

We really can take this aspect of our life wheel www.myprojectme.com and give ourselves some much needed TLC ladies.

Looking forward to 2019 and all your exciting new plans to spread balance and positive action around the world @KellyProjectMe

For more on the 6th October 2018 Live Event - Project Me Live Event in Words and Pictures, visit Kelly’s Blog https://myprojectme.com/project-me-live-event-highlights/

I share my 10th business birthday with James Bond…and Spotify

Where were you in 2008? Do you remember what you were doing?

On October 1st 2008, I launched my business – in the same year Quantum of Solace was released and Spotify launched.

The old adage of ‘time flies when you’re having fun’ certainly could not be truer.

I started out with an idea, a dream of being a freelance consultant, working with companies to improve their leadership, empower both their young or new leaders and refresh the experienced ones.
I wanted to make a difference, to see less conflict, more ability to cope when the pressure’s on, to help people do a good job and avoid HR issues caused by poor communication, lack of awareness amongst leadership teams and company hierarchy.

It’s what I’d done for many years but 10 years ago I stepped back into consultancy and into a world of freedom and variety – working in any industry, employers large or small, leaders and/or their teams – and it’s been amazing!

I’ve supported and worked with:
Probation services
Retail
Financial services
Elite sport
Aviation and aerospace
Legal and manufacturing
NHS and Healthcare

It’s the people within the organisations who inspire me. I meet them, get to understand them and either for individuals or teams, get to explore possibilities, look for opportunity and discover their strengths to nurture, develop and build.

When I’m inspired I know that’s when I’m at my best. Bringing strength, challenge and intuition alongside care, kindness and fun, because no-one wants a boring classroom! Through interaction, involvement, feedback and reflection – so people don’t just learn the theory, they do it.
My support allows others to know when they’re at their best and base their leadership around that.

At home, my children were five and three when I launched the business and my husband 100% behind my endeavours.
Here’s to another 10 when the teenage years will seem a distant memory and maybe they’ll be flying the nest, first homes, travelling or even creating families of their own.

I’m looking for new people to work with over the next 10 years – people who want their teams to develop, individuals who want to work on their own leadership and discover their own strengths to take their businesses forward with confidence and structure.
One-day events, coaching and ongoing development – I offer bespoke services to match what you need and what will make a difference to you.
It’s so important to get leadership right and we often don’t pay it as much attention as our professional or technical skills – it’s like the foundations of a building…things will crumble if the core isn’t solid.

Get in touch and have a conversation with me – just over coffee and we’ll talk about what a fresh loo at leadership development can bring to your company or personal ambition.
Take a look at my testimonials to see where I’ve taken others in their leadership journey too.

The creation of a new brand - It's Personal too

I never knew that developing my new brand, website and crafting something after 10 years in business could be so inspiring and energising. Colours remind us all of different brands and navigating through the differing views and perceptions made choosing mine tricky at times.

I did what I've always done - asked those whose opinions count among colleagues, clients and friends, and then of course the family too! Then to complete the ensemble, I added in a splash of professional design and marketing input that I am so lucky to have found in the last few months.

But..with every opinion willingly shared comes association with every colour or shape because it brings to mind a big-named brand; sometimes in a good way and often also not.

Then there is being torn between a favourite colour, in my case red, and what that could convey to potential clients. The Color Psychology of Red is bright and warm, evoking strong emotions. Associated with love, warmth, and comfort, red is also considered an intense, or even angry, color that creates feelings of excitement or intensity. Hmmmmmm that's a little bit of a double-edged sword for me.

Then a question I kept being asked was: '...is there a specific colour on your new website, or a colour that makes people think of you?' to which I found myself realising the only constant colour associated with me is my ginger hair.  It's captured in all the colour photos on my new website and I thought it has to be my accent colour going forward.  So the 'hot' orange logo was born.

Yes orange is the striking colour for Easyjet and B&Q, both of which I purchase from, but it's also the tick in Nike and what makes GlaxoSmithKline stand out.

Orange represents enthusiasm, fascination, happiness, creativity, determination, attraction, success, encouragement, and stimulation. In heraldry, orange is symbolic of strength and endurance. And that quite simply is a list I can hold true to my principles, how I operate and support my clients in any aspect of their development as leaders.

Let's take my ginger logo out to the world and see the splash it makes.