Author: Katie Duckworth
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How to have a work-free holiday
“I’ll have to leave my phone on 24/7 in case the team needs me.” “I could take that Skype meeting from the beach bar, I suppose.” “I’d rather just keep on top of emails and stuff while I’m away.” “I can’t just disappear, can I?” “A bit of work won’t do me any harm.” Is…
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But I never take a lunch break
Ok, so hands up? How many times last week did you eat your lunch away from your desk (and munching on a sarnie in a meeting doesn’t count!)? Not at all? Once, tops? I totally get it, I really do. It’s a challenge to prioritise getting a proper break at lunch-time when there’s so much…
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“It ain’t what you do, it’s the way that you do it” – 7 steps to smooth decision-making
Okay, so I’m about to contradict myself! In my last blog, I talked about how there is no such thing as a wrong decision. And I believe that. Apart from a very few exceptions, that really will be the case. At our recent Leaders Who Brunch meet-up the group found it a useful approach to…
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Difficult decisions don’t have to be so…difficult
So, you’ve got a big decision to make. You know it needs to be made so that everyone involved can move forward. But, arrgh! How do you get the thinking time when there’s so much going on? And how on earth do you make the right decision? I know the feeling. And so do my…
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Own your strengths and soar
I gave a talk at the FSI Skills Conference last week on how to encourage Star Performers in small charities. I loved it! I enjoy speaking to live audiences and I don’t get to do it that often. So when I do, I relish the connection, the in-the-moment responses to the journey we’re on together,…
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Coffee, Croissants and Connection
We meet early – before the challenges of the working day put paid to our best intentions – and feast on croissants and fresh fruit in a lovely, bright, spacious room. We talk, we share, we laugh, we learn. I think there have even been tears, which is fine by me. This is what it’s…
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Dare To Lead
A non-profit coaching client asked me recently to recommend the very best book I knew on charity leadership. She’s starting a new role and keen to get in some helpful reading. I think she was surprised by what I said. Instead of a classic leadership tome like Good to Great by Jim Collins (which is…
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Spring into Spring
Yes, I know. It’s winter. It’s still dark when you come out of work, and maybe even when you head there in the morning. But there are definite signs of spring around. A daffodil here. A snowdrop there. Do they give you the optimistic feeling of emerging from gloomy winter? * I don’t know about…
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Cheers! Lessons from a not so Dry January
So, how are you getting on with your New Year Resolutions? I’ve broken one of mine already. Well, sort of. I’m writing this blog on the Eurostar to Paris where I’m off for a few days of café culture and wintry wanderings. When I made a last-minute plan to sign up to Dry January I…
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How coaching transformed two leaders lives
I’ve recently finished coaching two totally delightful third sector leaders. Liz is Head of Policy and Advocacy at Traidcraft. Claire is Head of Brand and Creative at Diabetes UK. Both are sparky, dynamic, thoughtful women who have responded to coaching with real commitment and energy. Both say it has changed their life. I will miss…