In this episode of Behind the Bob, Diary of a Comms Director, Carrie-Ann Wade shares her thoughts and reflections on what you might want to consider during times of change and uncertainty.

01:31 - your role as a leader in your organisation

05:00 - intuition and empathy

05:33 - your role with your communications team

08:55 - impacts on you as an individual

10:11 - your support network

In challenging times, comms directors take on numerous roles, often providing support, advice and counsel to other leaders. In this episode, Carrie-Ann encourages you to ensure you have a strong support network in place to help you when you need it. Change impacts you too!

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Thank you for listening to this episode. If you enjoyed listening please share it, leave a rating or a review.

New episodes of Behind the Bob are published every Wednesday and you can always subscribe via your favourite podcast platform to ensure you don't miss an episode.

You can find out more about Carrie-Ann and Cat's Pajamas Communications at www.cats-pajamas.co.uk

This is another guest episode of Behind the Bob and Carrie-Ann is talking with Kirk Millis-Ward, Director of Communications and Engagement at the Isle of Wight NHS Trust. Kirk is also the Executive sponsor for the Disability and Long-Term Conditions Network and Neurodiversity Network.

In this episode Kirk talks about his own personal journey and experience as a neurodiverse communications director as well as sharing his thoughts on how we can better support colleagues in and into the profession.

06:00 - finding the connections

12:12 - understanding the impact of a diagnosis of ADHD

19:53 - developing a diverse communications team

34:40 - why choose public sector communications

39:43 - personal responsibility and curiosity

Thank you to Kirk for being part of the discussion about our profession, diversity and opportunities.

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Thank you for listening to this episode. If you enjoyed listening please share it, leave a rating or a review.

New episodes of Behind the Bob are published every Wednesday and you can always subscribe via your favourite podcast platform to ensure you don't miss an episode.

You can find out more about Carrie-Ann and Cat's Pajamas Communications at www.cats-pajamas.co.uk

In this episode of Behind the Bob, Diary of a Comms Director, Carrie-Ann Wade shares her thoughts and reflections on why communications professionals make good leaders.

03:26 - it's all about communication

04:04 - decision making

05:35 - taking action

06:57 - caring about the consequences

09:38 - creativity and curiosity

10:58 - "being strategic"

There are so many reasons why good communications professionals make good leaders, not that Carrie-Ann needs to tell you that.

If you are looking to step into a leadership position, or you are a leader who is considering your purpose and impact, then now is the time to reflect and consider what sort of leader you want to be. And why stop at comms? When comms pros rule the world who knows what could happen...

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Thank you for listening to this episode. If you enjoyed listening please share it, leave a rating or a review.

New episodes of Behind the Bob are published every Wednesday and you can always subscribe via your favourite podcast platform to ensure you don't miss an episode.

You can find out more about Carrie-Ann and Cat's Pajamas Communications at www.cats-pajamas.co.uk

It's another episode with a special guest and this time Carrie-Ann is talking with Shameema Ali, Senior Communications and Engagement Manager at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

Shameema shares her thoughts and advice on diversity in the profession and why communications professionals should consider a career in public sector communications.

02:07 - being thrown in at the deep end

06:37 - dealing with imposter syndrome

08:29 - the role of leaders in our profession

13:07 - opportunities to develop in public sector comms

15:20 - using our diversity to our advantage

Thank you so much to Shameema for sharing and being part of the discussion about our profession, diversity and opportunities.

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Thank you for listening to this episode. If you enjoyed listening please share it, leave a rating or a review.

New episodes of Behind the Bob are published every Wednesday and you can always subscribe via your favourite podcast platform to ensure you don't miss an episode.

You can find out more about Carrie-Ann and Cat's Pajamas Communications at www.cats-pajamas.co.uk

In the latest episode Carrie-Ann talks all things demonstrating value as a communications professional - a topic listeners have been keen to hear more about.

The key elements are relationship building, evaluation and performance reporting and impact.

02:45 - relationships and the nuances

04:55 - key questions to ask yourself

08:33 - impact over outputs

13:39 - what's your performance report telling you?

15:46 - influence and opportunity

Use this episode to reflect on the value you are adding as a communications professional and how you are evidencing this in your organisation.

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Thank you for listening to this episode. If you found enjoyed listening please share it, leave a rating or a review.

New episodes of Behind the Bob are published every Wednesday and you can always subscribe via your favourite podcast platform to ensure you don't miss an episode.

You can find out more about Carrie-Ann and Cat's Pajamas Communications at www.cats-pajamas.co.uk

In this episode of Behind the Bob, Carrie-Ann talks with Lewis Williams, Senior Communications Officer at NHS Blood and Transplant, about his career to date and his advice for improving the diversity of the communications profession.

04:06 - routes into public sector comms

11:01 - the Socially Mobile programme

16:47 - the value of work experience (and the hidden cost)

20:44 - diversifying the industry

28:10 - the benefits of networking

36:50 - commitment to learning and development

In this episode Lewis gives shout outs to Stephen and Sarah Waddington for the Socially Mobile programme, Asif Choudry and the Comms Hero crew and Leanne Hughes, one of his colleagues.

Lewis also discusses the CIPR (Chartered Institute of PR) and the learning opportunities available.

Carrie-Ann and Lewis also recognise the value of mentoring, particularly early in your career as a communications professional and the value this can add personally and professionally.

Thank you Lewis for sharing your experiences, challenges and career highlights so far. Some really insightful advice and reflections to support others in the industry.

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Thank you for listening to this episode. If you enjoyed listening please share it, leave a rating or a review.

New episodes of Behind the Bob are published every Wednesday and you can always subscribe via your favourite podcast platform to ensure you don't miss an episode.

You can find out more about Carrie-Ann and Cat's Pajamas Communications at www.cats-pajamas.co.uk

In this episode, Carrie-Ann Wade talks about the importance of boundary setting as a communicator and as a leader.

Sharing her own experiences of boundary setting, and recognising when boundaries are slipping, Carrie-Ann invites you to reflect on your boundaries and how you are communicating them.

00:54 - recognising when your boundaries are slipping

02:38 - protecting your time and energy

03:26 - protecting your team

05:19 - delivering strategic objectives

06:27 - boundaries and decision making

07:59 - taking on the mental load

As well as being clear on what your boundaries are, make sure you communicate them. And make time for your life outside of work, your professional boundaries should help support your personal life.

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Thank you for listening to this episode. If you found enjoyed listening please share it, leave a rating or a review.

New episodes of Behind the Bob are published every Wednesday and you can always subscribe via your favourite podcast platform to ensure you don't miss an episode.

You can find out more about Carrie-Ann and Cat's Pajamas Communications at www.cats-pajamas.co.uk

This is the first of Carrie-Ann's conversations with public sector comms pros focused on how to encourage diversity within the profession and make a career in public sector communications attractive to new talent.

In this episode Carrie-Ann talks with Lisa Ward, a former NHS communications director, about her career so far, challenges she has faced and her thoughts on diversity in communications.

10:46 - storytelling and communications

15:58 - returning to communications from maternity leave

20:29 - menopause in the workplace

30:06 - apprenticeships as a route into communications

46:57 - reaching different communities to recruit

Thank you Lisa for sharing your own journey and experiences to inspire others who are looking to take the next steps in their communications career.

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Thank you for listening to this episode. If you found enjoyed listening please share it, leave a rating or a review.

New episodes of Behind the Bob are published every Wednesday and you can always subscribe via your favourite podcast platform to ensure you don't miss an episode.

You can find out more about Carrie-Ann and Cat's Pajamas Communications at www.cats-pajamas.co.uk

In the first episode of Behind the Bob, Diary of a Comms Director, Carrie-Ann Wade shares a few of the things that have helped her communications career to date.

Sharing some insights into what has supported her, as not only a communications professional but as a leader, Carrie-Ann hopes to encourage you to think about your career to date, as well as your aspirations for the future.

02:30 - saying yes to opportunities and pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone

05:46 - building and nurturing your support network

08:15 - investing in your own development

13:38 - working with leaders who value communication

15:59 - knowing your own values and what you stand for

It is a really important part of your development as a communications leader to take the time to reflect on how you can best serve your needs to grow and thrive. And as always, ensuring this is reciprocal, consider how you can help others too.

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Thank you for listening to this episode. If you found enjoyed listening please share it, leave a rating or a review.

New episodes of Behind the Bob are published every Wednesday and you can always subscribe via your favourite podcast platform to ensure you don't miss an episode.

You can find out more about Carrie-Ann and Cat's Pajamas Communications at www.cats-pajamas.co.uk

Welcome to Behind the Bob, Diary of a Comms Director, with me, Carrie-Ann Wade.

Behind the Bob is my new podcast that provides an insight into life as a communications director to support aspiring communications leaders as part of your development.

As well as a behind the scenes peek into my working life, I will be shining a light n the issue of diversity in public sector communications, and how we can make the profession more attractive to encourage new and diverse talent. This means I'll be having conversations with communicators who are passionate about this in the hope it provides advice and insight so we can take more action to make a positive difference.

I hope you enjoy the podcast. Please do share it, leave a rating or a review.

Catch up soon!