HR Coffee Time

Dyslexia, often misunderstood and underappreciated, holds a wealth of untapped potential for the workplace. In this episode of HR Coffee Time, we explore how to appreciate and unlock the unique strengths it can bring to our workplaces.

Host Fay Wallis is joined by Kirsty Heap, a neurodivergent specialist coach with a rich background in HR, who shares her personal journey with dyslexia and her transition to becoming a passionate advocate for neurodiversity. Kirsty provides valuable insights into the multifaceted nature of dyslexia, its challenges, and most importantly, the remarkable advantages it offers to organizations.

Whether you're an HR professional seeking to create a more inclusive workplace, someone questioning if they might be dyslexic, or simply curious about neurodiversity, this episode provides practical strategies and eye-opening perspectives. Discover how understanding and supporting dyslexic colleagues can drive innovation, problem-solving, and creativity in your team, ultimately leading to a more successful organisation.

[00:00] Introduction and overview

[01:48] Introducing Kirsty Heap

[03:47] What is dyslexia? A detailed explanation

[04:59] Dyslexia as a ‘magic potion’

[06:24] Kirsty shares her journey to diagnosis and early challenges

[10:57] Disclosing that she had dyslexia to her colleagues

[12:22] The strengths dyslexia brings including creativity, problem-solving and emotional intelligence

[18:05] Practical advice for anyone who thinks they might be dyslexic

[22:04] Tips for fostering an inclusive work environment for dyslexic individuals

[26:54] Kirsty’s confidence-building tip: borrow confidence from your future self

[28:46] How to contact Kirsty and learn more about her work

• Connect with Fay on LinkedIn
• Fay’s website: Bright Sky Career Coaching
• Connect with Kirsty Heap on LinkedIn
• Kirsty’s website: Kirstyheap.com

(Disclosure: the book links are affiliate links which means that Fay will receive a small commission from Amazon if you make a purchase through them)

The Bigger Picture Book of Amazing Dyslexics and the Jobs They Do, by Kate Power & Kathy Iwanczak Forsyth

• HR Coffee Time podcast playlist: Create an equitable, diverse & inclusive workplace
• Episode 70: Supporting yourself, or your colleagues at work with Tourette Syndrome, with Devon Lovell
• Episode 68: Real life insights into understanding and supporting autism in the workplace, with Cybill Watkins
• Episode 59: ADHD – a personal story of the strengths, struggles & strategies that help, with Julie White

You can find the transcript on this page of the Bright Sky Career Coaching website.

If you found this episode of HR Coffee Time helpful, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. This video shows you how to rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts (because it isn’t very intuitive). If you're kind enough to leave a review, let Fay know so she can say thank you. You can always reach her at: [email protected].

Be notified each time a new episode of HR Coffee Time is released and get access to other free career tips, tools and resources by signing up to receive the free weekly HR Coffee Time email.

Have you ever felt stifled by a micromanager? Whether you're currently dealing with one or want to help someone else navigate their micromanager boss, this episode of HR Coffee Time is packed with practical advice to improve the situation.

[00:00] Examples of micromanagement

[01:38] Welcome to HR Coffee Time

[03:00] Micromanagement defined

[03:16] Dealing with micromanagement can feel difficult

[04:24] Advice: start from a place of empathy rather than anger

[05:00] Seek first to understand, then to be understood

[05:14] An example of when Fay micromanaged

[05:51] Causes of micromanagement: lack of management training

[06:15] Causes of micromanagement: stress

[07:17] Causes of micromanagement: lack of trust

[07:45] Examples of calling out micromanaging behaviour

[09:08] Causes of micromanagement: lack of trust, clarity, or process

[09:31] Micromanagement negatively impacts both you and the manager

[10:02] Taking a coaching approach by asking questions can be powerful

[11:45] Pointing out the behaviour is negatively affecting the manager

[12:16] Brené Brown’s idea of ‘paint it done’ from her book, ‘Dare to Lead’

[14:16] Using the 5Ws and 1H questions to help your manager ‘paint it done’

[16:12] Examples of using ‘what’ questions

[17:56] Examples of using ‘where’ questions

[18:46] Examples of ‘how’ questions

[18:58] Examples of ‘why’ questions

[19:13] Examples of ‘who’ questions

[19:28] Examples of ‘when’ questions

[20:44] Other relevant HR Coffee Time episodes to listen to

• Connect with Fay on LinkedIn
• Fay’s website: Bright Sky Career Coaching

Buy the Book Recommendation

(Disclosure: the book links are affiliate links which means that Fay will receive a small commission from Amazon if you make a purchase through them)

Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts, by Brené Brown

Other Relevant HR Coffee Time Episodes

• Episode 03: Building relationships with difficult people at work
• Episode 35: Helping teams thrive with personal user manuals
• Episode 41: 3 tips to build a better relationship with a difficult person at work

You can find the transcript on this page of the Bright Sky Career Coaching website.

If you found this episode of HR Coffee Time helpful, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. This video shows you how to rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts (because it isn’t very intuitive). If you're kind enough to leave a review, let Fay know so she can say thank you. You can always reach her at: [email protected].

Be notified each time a new episode of HR Coffee Time is released and get access to other free career tips, tools and resources by signing up to receive the free weekly HR Coffee Time email.

Navigating the workplace as a deaf individual comes with unique challenges that can often go unnoticed. In this episode of HR Coffee Time, we delve into practical strategies to foster an inclusive and empowering environment for deaf colleagues.

Host Fay Wallis is joined by Victoria Williams, founder and CEO of terptree, an organisation dedicated to transforming the experiences of deaf employees and customers.

[00:00] Introduction and overview

[00:59] Introducing Victoria Williams

[02:50] The story behind terptree

[07:04] The power of 1% changes

[07:41] Make sure website content is written in plain English and is well laid out

[07:55] Ensure you provide an email address not just a phone number in your website’s contact details

[10:09] Deafness is a hidden disability

[10:36] Hearing loss can be acquired over time

[10:51] People don’t always realise they are experiencing hearing loss

[11:28] Misconceptions about hearing aids

[12:27] Deaf employees may miss out on incidental learning

[15:31] Practical tips for inclusivity – environment, communication, team integration

[16:18] Involving the deaf person in making adjustments

[16:53] Larger organisations can engage with internal employee focus groups

[17:02] The Access to Work scheme

[18:43] Health and safety – ensuring the fire alarm system is effective

[19:41] Disability disclose is a moving thing

[20:11] The importance of being open and building trust and empathy

[20:38] The social side of work is important

[21:09] Using an interpreter for British Sign Language users

[21:25] Deaf awareness training ‘is a must’

[22:35] Attracting Deaf Talent

[22:59] The Disability Confident Employer scheme

[28:11] How to contact Victoria and learn more about her work

• Connect with Fay on LinkedIn
• Fay’s website: Bright Sky Career Coaching
• Connect with Victoria on LinkedIn
• Victoria’s website: terptree
• Access to Work Scheme
• Disability Confident employer scheme
• Deaf UK Jobs

(Disclosure: the book links are affiliate links which means that Fay will receive a small commission from Amazon if you make a purchase through them)

Don’t Silence Your Talent: Unleash the value of your deaf employees, by Victoria Williams

Spotify playlist: HR Coffee Time – create an equitable, diverse & inclusive workplace

You can find the transcript on this page of the Bright Sky Career Coaching website.

If you found this episode of HR Coffee Time helpful, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. This video shows you how to rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts (because it isn’t very intuitive). If you're kind enough to leave a review, let Fay know so she can say thank you. You can always reach her at: [email protected].

Be notified each time a new episode of HR Coffee Time is released and get access to other free career tips, tools and resources by signing up to receive the free weekly HR Coffee Time email.

Creating your professional development plan is a great way of ensuring you don't stagnate at work and get bored in your role. It can help you thrive at work and feel fulfilled no matter what stage you're at in your HR/People career.

In this episode of HR Coffee Time, host, Fay Wallis talks you through how to create your perfect professional development plan in 8 simple steps.

[04:14] Step one: Identify what you’re aiming for

[11:52] Step two: Record ideas you already have

[12:00] Step three: Look Back to Look Forward

[16:36] Step four: Capture your values

[20:13] Step five: Seek feedback

[21:26] Step six: Consider key HR areas of influence

[23:35] Step seven: Identify career-enhancing skills

[25:23] Step eight: Set your goals

• Connect with Fay on LinkedIn
• Fay’s website: Bright Sky Career Coaching
• The Essential HR Planner

• Episode 5: How to progress your HR career (using the 3E model)
• Episode 17: How to set your career goals for 2022
• Episode 47: Discovering your values to help your HR career, with Zoe Hawkins
• Episode 66: Reflecting on 2022 – look back to look forward
• Episode 116: Look back to look forward – how reflecting on 2023 can help you set goals for 2024

You can find the transcript on this page of the Bright Sky Career Coaching website.

If you found this episode of HR Coffee Time helpful, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. This video shows you how to rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts (because it isn’t very intuitive). If you're kind enough to leave a review, let Fay know so she can say thank you. You can always reach her at: [email protected].

Be notified each time a new episode of HR Coffee Time is released and get access to other free career tips, tools and resources by signing up to receive the free weekly HR Coffee Time email.

Looking to elevate your professional development and would like to ask for your employer’s support?

Whether it’s joining Inspiring HR or embarking on another professional learning journey, this episode of HR Coffee Time is here to help.

Guests Kathryn Bryan and Larissa Smith, alumni from previous Inspiring HR cohorts, generously detail their paths to gaining employer support for their professional growth. They also share practical advice to help you confidently secure funding for your own development.

• Connect with Fay on LinkedIn
• Fay’s website: Bright Sky Career Coaching
• Learn more about Inspiring HR

• Episode 97: Inspiring HR – the purpose behind it and what to expect if you join
• Episode 88: How to write a Compelling Business Case & get approval for your idea, with Jo Taylor

You can find the transcript on this page of the Bright Sky Career Coaching website.

If you found this episode of HR Coffee Time helpful, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. This video shows you how to rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts (because it isn’t very intuitive). If you're kind enough to leave a review, let Fay know so she can say thank you. You can always reach her at: [email protected].

Be notified each time a new episode of HR Coffee Time is released and get access to other free career tips, tools and resources by signing up to receive the free weekly HR Coffee Time email.

Working in the fast-paced, busy world of HR can feel stressful. As a dedicated and hardworking HR professional, you may find yourself prioritising looking after everyone else in the organisation above your own wellbeing. But it’s so important you are able to take care of yourself too, so that the stress doesn’t reach the point of burnout. In this episode of HR Coffee Time, released during Stress Awareness Month, Dr Jo Burrell joins host, Fay Wallis, to share her advice on spotting signs of stress and how to take action to stop it in its tracks.

[00:00] Introduction and Importance of Discussing Stress and Burnout

[02:09] Introducing Dr Jo Burrell

[07:05] Worrying Results from the HR Mental Wellbeing Survey

[08:52] Understanding and Combating Burnout

[11:42] Personal Reflections on Stress and Work Habits

[22:11] Strategies to Prevent Burnout and Manage Stress

[29:21] An Example Case Study

[39:07] Book Recommendation

• Connect with Fay on LinkedIn
• Fay’s website: Bright Sky Career Coaching
• Connect with Jo on LinkedIn
• Jo’s website: Ultimate Resilience
• HSE (Health and Safety Executive) stress resources
• CIPD’s wellbeing helpline

(Disclosure: the book links are affiliate links which means that Fay will receive a small commission from Amazon if you make a purchase through them)

A Work In Progress: Unlocking Wellbeing to Create More Sustainable and Resilient Organisations, by Gethin Nadin

Build Resilience & Handle Stressful Situations Playlist

You can find the transcript on this page of the Bright Sky Career Coaching website.

If you found this episode of HR Coffee Time helpful, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. This video shows you how to rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts (because it isn’t very intuitive). If you're kind enough to leave a review, let Fay know so she can say thank you. You can always reach her at: [email protected].

Be notified each time a new episode of HR Coffee Time is released and get access to other free career tips, tools and resources by signing up to receive the free weekly HR Coffee Time email.

Throughout your HR journey, it's normal for your confidence to sometimes dip or wobble. That's exactly where HR Coffee Time steps in to lend a hand. In this episode, you’ll hear insights from five expert guests whose advice spans from broad confidence-boosting tips to specific strategies for navigating those tricky moments in your career. Tune in for a blend of perspectives that will lift your spirits and arm you with practical tools for a more confident path forward in HR.

• 00:00 Introduction and Thank Yous
• 03:14 Introduction to Confidence
• 08:52 Compilation of Confidence Building Tips
• 09:17 Confidence Tip from Pete Hykin
• 11:43 Confidence Tip from Antoinette Dale Henderson
• 13:30 Confidence Tip from Simon Duncan
• 15:31 Confidence Tip from Roisin Williams
• 18:42 Confidence Tip from Louise Kennedy
• 19:41 Conclusion

• Connect with Fay on LinkedIn
• Fay’s website: Bright Sky Career Coaching
• Connect with Holly Christie on LinkedIn
• Holly’s website: This Demanding Life
• Connect with Pete Hykin on LinkedIn
• Pete’s website: Penfold
• Connect with Antoinette Dale Henderson on LinkedIn
• Antoinette’s website: Antoinette Dale Henderson
• Connect with Simon Duncan on LinkedIn
• Connect with Roisin Williams on LinkedIn
• Roisin’s website: Job Seeker Coaching
• Connect with Louise Kennedy on LinkedIn
• Louise’s website: Occulus HR

(Disclosure: the book links are affiliate links which means that Fay will receive a small commission from Amazon if you make a purchase through them)

• Becoming, by Michelle Obama

• Build Your Confidence Podcast Playlist
• Episode 105: Brilliant not boring – unlocking financial wellbeing with pensions at work, with Pete Hykin
• Episode 104: How to improve your gravitas to make an impact throughout your HR career, with Antoinette Dale Henderson
• Episode 115: Why negotiation skills can help your HR career & how to develop them, with Simon Duncan
• Episode 113: The trustee advantage – enhance your HR leadership and make a difference, with Roisin Williams
• Episode 120: Crafting culture – unearthing and shaping the heart of your business, with Louise Kennedy

You can find the transcript on this page of the Bright Sky Career Coaching website.

If you found this episode of HR Coffee Time helpful, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. This video shows you how to rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts (because it isn’t very intuitive). If you're kind enough to leave a review, let Fay know so she can say thank you. You can always reach her at: [email protected].

Be notified each time a new episode of HR Coffee Time is released and get access to other free career tips, tools and resources by signing up to receive the free weekly HR Coffee Time email.

Are you struggling with how to get pay right in your organisation, feeling the weight of its complexity and cost? You're not alone. Payroll can be the largest expense for a business, running into millions, and it's a crucial aspect of HR that doesn't come with a handbook. Whether you're facing challenges with pay dissatisfaction among your talent, confronting unsettling pay gaps, or stepping into a new role with an outdated pay structure, there's always room for improvement.

In this episode of HR Coffee Time, host Fay Wallis talks with Rameez Kaleem, Founder and CEO of 3R Strategy, to shed light on creating pay practices that truly pay off. He breaks down the building blocks of fair and effective pay practices that can attract, reward, and retain the best talent for your organisation.

Key Takeaways

• Pay transparency is about openness and honesty in pay processes, not about disclosing everyone’s salaries (a common misconception). It builds trust and demonstrates fairness in how pay decisions are made.
• Pay transparency helps in attracting talent; candidates are more likely to apply for a role when the salary is included in the job posting.
• Well-communicated pay equity is 13 times more important in retaining your employees than higher pay levels.
• Why you should never ask the question, “What’s your current salary?” Or, “What are your pay expectations?” when interviewing.
• Rameez’s Five-Step Pay Transparency Project Plan:
• Step 1: Establish a reward strategy and pay philosophy.
• Step 2: Conduct benchmarking with reliable data to understand market rates.
• Step 3: Develop a career framework for clarity on career progression and pay scales.
• Step 4: Build pay structures aligned with the career framework.
• Step 5: Consider pay progression and how employees can progress within the pay range.

• Connect with Fay on LinkedIn
• Fay’s website: Bright Sky Career Coaching
• Connect with Rameez on LinkedIn
• Rameez’s website: 3R Strategy

(Disclosure: the book links are affiliate links which means that Fay will receive a small commission from Amazon if you make a purchase through them)

• A Case of the Mondays: Attract and retain the best talent through pay transparency, by Rameez Kaleem
• Start With Why: How great leaders inspire everyone to take action, by Simon Sinek
• Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking, by Susan Cain
• Atomic Habits: An Easy and Proven Way to Build Good Habits and Break Bad Ones, by James Clear

• Episode 14: Understanding & fixing your organisation’s gender pay gap, with Melissa Blissett
• Episode 88: How to write a compelling business case & get approval for your idea, with Jo Taylor

You can find the transcript on this page of the Bright Sky Career Coaching website.

If you found this episode of HR Coffee Time helpful, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. This video shows you how to rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts (because it isn’t very intuitive). If you're kind enough to leave a review, let Fay know so she can say thank you. You can always reach her at: [email protected].

Be notified each time a new episode of HR Coffee Time is released and get access to other free career tips, tools and resources by signing up to receive the free weekly HR Coffee Time email.

If you’re stuck about defining or shaping culture in your organisation, you’re not alone. The concept often appears fuzzy, theoretical, and more suited for addressing in large corporations than smaller teams. But it’s a vital component of every thriving workplace. In this episode of HR Coffee Time host, Fay Wallis is joined by Louise Kennedy from Oculus HR, known for her ability to simplify seemingly complex things into clear, actionable steps.

• Culture can feel complex and difficult to define, but it is essential for the success of any organization.
• Defining culture can happen at different stages of a business's growth.
• Involving employees in defining culture is crucial for unearthing the ‘now’ culture.
• Values play a significant role in shaping culture.
• Engaging senior leadership in culture conversations is essential for driving culture change.

• Connect with Fay on LinkedIn
• Fay’s website: Bright Sky Career Coaching
• Connect with Louise on LinkedIn
• Louise’s website: Oculus HR

• Episode 114: What workplace culture is, how to measure it & a surprising way to improve it, with Arend Boersema
• Episode 88: How to write a compelling business case & get approval for your idea, with Jo Taylor

You can find the transcript on this page of the Bright Sky Career Coaching website.

If you found this episode of HR Coffee Time helpful, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. This video shows you how to rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts (because it isn’t very intuitive). If you're kind enough to leave a review, let Fay know so she can say thank you. You can always reach her at: [email protected].

Be notified each time a new episode of HR Coffee Time is released and get access to other free career tips, tools and resources by signing up to receive the free weekly HR Coffee Time email.

If you've ever wondered how to shift your organisation's perception of HR from being an operational, admin-heavy function, to one that is strategic, innovative and drives positive change; this episode of HR Coffee Time is here to help. Host, Fay Wallis is joined by Kate Maddison-Greenwell from People Efficient and together they take a deep dive into the exciting world of Agile HR.

• Agile is a mindset and set of methodologies focused on adding value to customers, including employees in the case of HR.
• Agile HR involves breaking down complex projects or problems into iterative chunks and prioritizing people-centric solutions.
• Visualization tools like Miro can facilitate collaboration and inclusivity in Agile HR.
• Games like planning poker can help teams estimate time and value more accurately in Agile HR.
• Sprints, typically two weeks long, are cycles in Agile HR that involve planning, doing, reviewing, and reflecting on progress.
• To get started with Agile HR, start small with a project or problem, focus on psychological safety, and gain sponsorship from senior leaders.

• Connect with Fay on LinkedIn
• Fay’s website: Bright Sky Career Coaching
• Connect with Kate on LinkedIn
• Kate’s website: People Efficient

(Disclosure: the book link is an affiliate link which means that Fay will receive a small commission from Amazon if you make a purchase through it)

Built for People: Transform Your Employee Experience Using Product Management Principles, Jessica Zwaan

• Episode 114: What workplace culture is, how to measure it & a surprising way to improve it, with Arend Boersema
• Episode 102: Boosting your strategic knowledge to step up in your HR role
• Episode 22: How to handle conflict at work, with Ginny Radmall

You can find the transcript on this page of the Bright Sky Career Coaching website.

If you found this episode of HR Coffee Time helpful, please rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. This video shows you how to rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts (because it isn’t very intuitive). If you're kind enough to leave a review, let Fay know so she can say thank you. You can always reach her at: [email protected].

Be notified each time a new episode of HR Coffee Time is released and get access to other free career tips, tools and resources by signing up to receive the free weekly HR Coffee Time email.