Becoming a trusted advisor requires the intentional development of human skills and an authentic coaching style of partnership. When we master these coaching skills, we don’t just execute tasks—we shape conversations that create real change. Investing in these skills allows professionals to lead with clarity, inspire action, and create environments where collaboration thrives.

If you are a communication or PR professional, you know just how important it is to have a strong and positive relationships with you stakeholders. Building our coaching skills can help us to move from tactical to strategic, advisor to partner and do it with confidence. 

The task of engaging often comes down to the job of the leader or manager. Many times the leader has a long list of duties that include- connecting with and keeping the team engaged. This involves nurturing a relationship and communicating in a clear, concise and empathetic way. A human way.

The second day of the CIPR National Conference #CIPRconf20 was a day dedicated to PEOPLE. I was honoured to co-chair the day with Advita Patel and facilitate three lively Q&A sessions. The quality of speakers was excellent which made my job easy... my cheeks hurt from smiling so much!

I believe that learning and growth happens in the spaces between- what was- and - what will be- We have had so much crisis, that we need to use disruption as an opportunity to build the skills we will need in the future.

When people are bombarded with so much information, it essential we make sure that our communication gets the impact we intended. But that is hard. Why? The impact of our communication is judged by how that message is received on the other end; “Do people know, feel and do; what you wanted them to know, feel and do?” Do they share the understanding you have?

I am so pleased that my tips joined many others on a list of Internal Communication experts who are all sharing they best practice tips. Here is mine its all about clarity and conversation

The case for communication professionals to take their seat as a coach. No table required!

Embedding a Purpose is about keeping that ball in play. After working so hard to create a clear focus for business performance you need to keep reinforcing the existence and integration of the new ‘business as usual’.

You can repeat your purpose statement until you are blue in the face. But it needs depth and integrity to become something people can connect with on a personal level.