Penny Haslam Podcast - Communication and Confidence

Penny Haslam Podcast - How to plan a theme for your business event. Penny unpacks how to plan a theme that makes your business event truly memorable. Whether you’re running a company away day, an all-staff conference or a client gathering, she shares practical advice on creating a theme that connects, inspires and delivers lasting impact.

Drawing on her experience speaking at hundreds of events, Penny reveals the common pitfalls organisers fall into — and how to avoid them. She explains how to define your event’s purpose, explore the factors that influence your theme, and elevate it so it becomes the golden thread running through everything from the keynote to the coffee break.

You’ll hear why great themes don’t just sound clever, they mean something — giving people clarity about why they’re there and what they’ll take away. Penny also shares stories from the stage, including how one company turned “Connect and Learn” into a living, breathing experience that united its community.

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Penny Haslam Podcast - The power of colleague-led learning. In this episode, Penny explores the power of colleague-led learning and how it can transform confidence, communication and culture at work.

You’ll hear the story of Beazley, a global insurance firm where employees created their own learning group called Beazpoke. What started with a handful of colleagues practising short presentations has grown into a 100-strong network building skills, giving feedback and cheering each other on.

Penny shows why this approach works so well: it’s low cost, builds trust and delivers real-time learning that sticks. She also shares how you can start something similar in your own workplace, whether it’s a presentation club, a manager support circle or even a “pitch club” for sales teams. How to start a workplace mastermind group.

If you’re curious about how to build confidence and skills without waiting for the next formal training programme, this episode is packed with inspiration.

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Penny Haslam Podcast - An introduction to difficult conversations at work. Why do we avoid difficult conversations at work – and what happens when we do? In this episode, I’m joined by leadership coach Heather Wright, who tells me why fear holds us back, what it really costs when we stay silent, and how leaders can build a culture where challenge feels safe. From setting expectations early to framing feedback well, Heather shares practical ways to turn conflict into creativity, trust and better results.

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Penny Haslam Podcast - The value of val-yous. In this episode, Penny Haslam invites you to think about your personal values, what she calls val-yous (spelled that way to put you at the centre of it all).

You’ll hear why it’s not just about company slogans or posters on the break room wall. When you take time to reflect on what really matters to you, everything changes. Decisions feel easier. Confidence grows. You stop second-guessing and start showing up with purpose.

Penny shares the surprising research behind this simple idea, along with practical ways to explore your own Val-Yous—and how to encourage others to do the same.

If you lead others or want to lead yourself better, this one’s for you.

Corporate confidence training for leaders and teams.

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Penny Haslam Podcast - Why presentation skills training isn't always the answer. When someone in your team struggles to speak up or seems unsure of themselves, it’s tempting to reach for a quick solution: presentation skills training.

It’s neat. It’s available. And it feels like you’re taking action. But in many cases, it’s a veneer-thin fix.

Yes, presentation skills training can be great for learning how to structure a talk, use slides well or engage an audience.

But if the real problem runs deeper, it won’t help. In fact, it might do more harm than good.

Because more often than not, it’s not a skills issue. It’s about confidence. Or culture. Or the way people are heard - or not - in your organisation.

In this episode a rethink what’s really going on.

Watch the video: Why your team hasn't improved after presentation skills training 

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Penny Haslam Podcast - How to ask great questions. Questions, we ask them all the time, don’t we? In meetings, in conversations with colleagues, when we’re getting to know clients, and even when we’re networking at events. But how often do we actually stop and think about the questions we’re asking? How to ask great questions for better leadership conversations at work

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Penny Haslam Podcast - Five ways HR leaders can elevate their influence. In this episode, we’re tackling a big challenge: why HR expertise is so often missing from the boardroom and how you can change that. With workforce issues topping strategic priorities, it’s time for HR leaders to step up and claim their seat at the table. Penny shares five practical ways to boost your influence, build strategic relationships and confidently link HR initiatives to business goals. 

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Penny Haslam Podcast - Coming 2027: Workplace Confidence - The Book. I've recently started work on my third book which will probably be called Workplace Confidence. It's all about building self-belief for you, your team and your organisation. In this episode a sample from one of the "how to" chapters on self-talk. Confidence training for leaders and teams.

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Penny Haslam Podcast - Beat the self-belief thief. In this episode, what are confidence thieves and how to beat them? Those people or moments that swoop in and swipe your self-belief right out from under you. They’re real, persistent and they can strike at any time. But don’t worry, I’ve got some great advice to help you spot them, protect yourself and even bounce back stronger. Find a speaker on confidence and self-belief at work.

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Penny Haslam Podcast - How to ask for feedback at work. In this episode Penny reflects on a personal feedback disaster and offers her best advice on how to choose the right time, place and person to comment on your work. 

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