The Mic Drop Club

Paula is very much a child of the 80s coming from humble beginnings in Wembley, London along with her younger brother were raised with traditional working-class values such as hard work ethic and wrapped around West Indian cultural beliefs and principles. This is not merely enough to succeed in life.

Many people - indeed, have a good solid foundation yet fail to reach their potential. Why? Could it be that there is a secret sauce to success.....tune in and listen for yourself as Paula invites The Mic Drop Club into her stunning home a reveals all in this rare interview?

Find out, how she carved out a successful career spanning 25 years (yes, she started at a very young age!)  in the Fashion Industry, becoming a key person of influence championing pushing the boundaries of feminism and diversity.

Paula is the current Group Fashion Director at TI Media overseeing the fashion pages for Woman and Home, 4 weekly titles (Woman, Woman’s Own, Woman’s Weekly and Chat) and Feel Good You Magazine.

Fashion has always been her passion – rhyme intended, and she is a high street girl at heart who occasionally treats herself to a designer item or two and is not opposed to wearing sequins in the day!

Paula loves styling models and celebrities but finds it just as fulfilling when working with everyday ladies offering fashion tips and advice – completely taking them out of their comfort zone.  She has appeared on QVC and Matalan: The Show and worked on promotional videos for JD Williams, eBay, Evans and F&F, to list a few.

Triumphing in the past heavily white male-dominated industry - Paula’s rise has been stratospheric without question. Never letting her racial or gender hold her back, she has challenged stereotypes and helped to open doors for people of colour to enter the fashion industry - a champion for greater diversity of thought and experience and so much more.

Paula cuts a petite figure with a larger than life personality and displays in an abundance the personality traits and attributes of inspiration leaders, you will be moved into action after listening to this podcast.

You ever wanted to get into the fashion industry? This podcast is for you.

You ever wanted to pursue that dream/goal, but felt it was out of reach due to protected characteristics such as your race or gender?  – this podcast is for you

Thank you, Paula, for freeing up your time, sharing your insights and experience for The Mic Drop Club. We salute you! 

Follow: The MIC Drop Club

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.themicdropclub.com

Twitter: @influencer101

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/TheMicDropClub/

The Liars Amongst Us – How Does Your Resume/CV Stand Up to ‘The lasso of Truth’

You all heard the expression FAKE IT UNTIL YOU MAKE IT, what happens when you fake it at least on your resume and get that dream job. You might think you have won, and the battle is over, but the Truth will always surface over time. This Podcast addresses the problem lying; telling white liars, being economical with the truth on your CV and the effects it has on you and your organisation. According to Monster the online job search engine, 85% of recruiters said that candidates exaggerate skills and competencies on their resumes.

This week another high-profile staff was caught lying on their resume/cv – Special shout out to Digitalhealth for breaking the story 1st. For more information check out the links below.

Ex-Oxford CIO gets two-year suspended sentence for lying about the degree

A former chief information officer (CIO) has been given a two-year suspended jail sentence for lying about his degree to get a £135,000 per-year job.

Other high-profile people found guilty for telling lies on their resume/cv.

Scott Thompson

Ex-Yahoo CEO Scott Thompson claimed he had computer science and accounting degrees from Stonehill College in Easton, Massachusetts. He only had an accounting degree. Thompson, who was hired in January 2012, agreed to resign from Yahoo that May after an activist investor brought the lie to light

Marilee Jones

Jones, who was dean of admissions from 1997 to 2007 at the ultra-prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology, perpetuated for 28 years the lie that she had three degrees. In reality, she had none. As the head of admissions, ironically, Jones cut the number of space candidates would have to describe extracurriculars on applications, saying more space would mean more fluff. The school learned through an anonymous tip in 2007 that Jones had puffed up her credentials, and she was forced to quit.

Telling liars on your CV can get you prosecuted for Fraud and whilst you are in post you risk not being to perform at your best or your best might not be the standard required for the position. There are positions that this could directly affect the safety of the public or patients. Besides feeling like a fraud face being subjected to constant negative thoughts in your ability that gives rise to imposter syndrome, lack in confidence, over defensive practices, shame, isolation and a lack in professional competence. Not to mention guilt, to deny someone else more qualified to do the job.

I discuss how a silly ‘white lie’ can land in big trouble during the job interview process.

How to create a digital profile that best reflects your skills, passions and goals.

Employers have their own ‘lasso of Truth’ to tease out the truth for candidates during the interview process and before making the final selection. However, not all employers have robust processes in place to validate the education and skills required, more of them simply use LinkedIn. In Health (NHS) particularly this is not acceptable, care professionals are registered against bodies such as GMC (General Medical Council) The medical register is a list of doctors in the United Kingdom, showing their registration status, training and other useful information and the NMC (Nursing and Midwifery Council). Misleading, the NHS with skills and qualifications you do not have could put patients’ lives at risk! So, Don’t do it! 

Any Healthcare provider that has been exposed for wrongly employing staff to facilitate care risk more than embarrassment, we are talking about persecutions, being placed under special measures and even corporate manslaughter where there has been a loss of life. All of these come to light when there has been a serious onto wards incident and investigators search for the Truth. 

Please, before you click submit on that resume/cv double check that it will stand up to the ‘lasso of Truth’ enabling you to look your future employer directly into the eye with Authenticity, Integrity & honesty. 

If your resume is clean and you can stand by all its content then use #cvclean

Don't Lie to get your dream job – all this, ‘Fake it until you make it MUST STOP!’

Instead, ‘LIVE IT UNTIL YOU BECOME IT!’

If you are not successful in your application - Remember you are so much more!

DON’T JUST LIVE LIFE – MAKE LIFE BOOM!

Useful Links

https://www.digitalhealth.net/

With the media frenzy focused around Harry and Meghan’s announcement revealing their desire to live a more independent life and roll back their royal commitments. We discuss the hidden drivers behind how families operate, drawing parallels on their situation and with that of any family. We expose the main similarities that will enable you to honestly appraise your family’s values and principles.

It is clear from extensive research that all families have a set of defining principles some of which could be limiting, restrictive and non-empowering. Key questions are raised regarding, Duty, Loyalty, Respect, and Love etc and would you be prepared to sacrifice either one or all of these principles for your partner.

Listen and let us know what you think, your contributions are most welcome.

Don’t Just Live Life, Make Life BOOM!

[email protected]

Welcome the 1st interview of 2020 and what a glorious awe-inspiring show we have for you to get you pumped up for not only the week ahead, but to serve a sustenance for the entire decade ahead.

Stories of not being born with a silver spoon in the mouth come a dime and dozen – however subjective the story, few resonate and touch the soul. When I heard Leigh’s story, I was compelled to share it with you all in order to inspire, motivate and cultivate a fighter’s spirit that I believe we all have. Tapping into this source of strength can literally transport you out from a desperate situation, be that poverty, drug addiction, severe injuries, overcoming loss and even violence. Leigh has navigated these obstacles and bares all in this NO HOLDS BARRED interview.

Leigh is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu athlete which is a martial art and combat sport system that focuses on grappling with particular emphasis on ground fighting. Before we get into the details, here is his injury list to help set the scene regarding what you must potentially go through and overcome to reach the zenith in this sport. By the way Leigh recently won 3 gold and 1 bronze medal at the Brazilian jiu-jitsu event held on Poland.

Injury list (major)

Removed left deltoid/ part of bicep 15/6/19

3 (complete) broken ribs left side March ‘18

Snapped sternum

Popped right knee (meniscus tear)

2 broken ribs right side

Broken fingers/toes

Weaknesses - NONE.

Leigh is hard as nails so the rest is his own words, I was Admitted to hospital after the 4th visit to A&E on June 15th ‘19

I was meant to compete in the Spanish Nationals that weekend and then the British Nationals the weekend after. Obviously, that didn’t happen, I spent 5days in hospital. 1.5hrs in surgery the 1st time and 2hrs the 2nd. I had part of my triceps and deltoid removed due to a serious (arm/life threatening) infection. My white blood cell count for inflammation was 155, normal levels are between 0 - 5. 

Things like this motivate me, it’s like throwing a bucket of petrol over my fire to compete. They told me two months for a full recovery, I was back in the gym on the Monday. That’s 5 days after I was discharged, and I aimed to be back competing by October.

I started my fight camp for that (the London fall) on the 26th Sep, that’s 5 weeks after my operation to save my arm and ultimately my life. go figure.

Halfway through the camp my body unfortunately shut down. The telling day was the morning that we did 2hrs of kickboxing, boxing and Jiu Jitsu (all sparring rounds) I popped my knee in the first half hour with a sweep kick and I knew that was my sign.

The following week I lost my appetite, I had inflammation throughout my whole body. I couldn’t extend either of my arms or the leg I had just injured. My neck hurt, my back hurt, my forearms and legs felt tight. It was time to stop.

When I reflect back on how much I actually did after my operation it is totally crazy, I mean I went from being practically dead to a super intense fight camp training twice a day 6days a week five weeks later. Heavy compound exercises, cardiac output, heart rate power intervals, combat training. No Quit. Obviously, I worked up to this, I was in the gym five days after I was discharged from hospital. Ffs.

Look it’s like this, call me crazy or call me stupid but, you know, you only find your limits by pushing them. I don’t like sitting still, time waits for no-one and I would rather die trying than to live on a what if. I have a vision and I am working my arse off to achieve that vision, the world, the universe, it knows what I want but it’s been slowing me down for a reason. I was pushing too hard in the wrong direction. It was time to take a (subtle) step back.

Since then I started my next fight camp at the beginning of Dec for the European championship which will be my next competition in 3 weeks.

Adversities are part of life how you handle them is living.

 ‘THE MIC DROP CLUB’ would like to Thank Leigh for taking the time out from his busy schedule to share loads of Mic Drop moments – We wish him Joy, Love and Success for 2020 & beyond.

Don’t just live life – make life BOOM!

Follow Leigh

[email protected]

Instagram

Leighjoyce 

This is it folks we are minutes away from saying goodbye to 2019 - This is the time to reflect on own progress over the last decade  and make the necessary adjustments to propel yourself onwards, upwards and outwards into 2020. In this podcast We go back and forth in our usual robust mode to tease out the things we can do to give us the greatest chance of success.

We explore and break down SMART Goals - Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time Based. How this applied is so crucial to your chances of success.

We expose how your values, principles and beliefs should be aligned with your vision and goals, and the problems that can occur when this is not the case. Weaving in the usual personal real life stories to bring the subject of goal setting to life. Behind your fear and anxieties is your victories

Let your actions be smart in terms of how you reach your goals. Do not simply work rapidly without a plan or put your energy in unfruitful situations

Be available (Ready and willing)

Be realistic on where you are at, what things you have to leave behind in order take steps to go on the journey of achieving the goals you have set for yourself - Remembering to not let your presenting situation define your destination. 

Be selective on who you tell your goals and plans to that are still in embryonic stages in your mind.  You must guard and protect your goal from negative influences until its birthed in reality and has become solid.  

This will also enable you to build it and establish some ground towards your goals without feeling pressurised - however be careful here as a little pressure never hurt anyone, we all need a sense of urgency to act. 

Positives on telling people about your dreams:

It enables those people with capabilities to help you to do so. 

If your dreams don't scare you you are wasting your time as you will not be pushed beyond your perceived limits.

Happy New Year to you all and THANK YOU for the support throughout the year.

Don't just live life make life BOOM!!!

If you would like more information on any of the topics discussed then drop us a email:- [email protected]

Links

www.the140rule.com

www.themicdropclub.com

https://www.instagram.com/the_140_rule/

https://youtu.be/tBtyfnEZBsE

As we fast forward to concluding 2019, many people will be focusing on their New Year’s Resolutions. Indeed, this has a greater sense of priority as it is the start of a new decade. Before we get into that, it is important to reflect without bias on your achievements throughout the year. Have you managed to Lead yourself and others effectively in the pursuit of your goals?  As a backdrop to answer this question we have debated the various leadership styles exhibited by Jeremy Corbyn and Boris Johnson in the 2019 UK general elections. Both exhibited contrasting styles with the result evidenced by a massive win for Boris Johnson.

We unpack the common leadership styles so you can also see which style or combination will best match your personality, views and vision for the future. The good thing about leadership is that it can be taught, so long as one remains opened minded and open to be challenged though constructive feedback and can reflect without bias.

Key Themes

Before you lead others, you must be able to lead yourself

Why do Leaders read?

The qualities of effective leadership

Leadership styles

Plus, so much more.

We wish you all a very Merry Christmas – DON’T JUST LIVE LIFE MAKE LIFE BOOM!

For More Information on Leadership

https://youtu.be/QwKUKnzSBww

www.the140rule.com

www.themicdropclub.com

I had the fortunate pleasure in meeting Sherelle at a fantastic event Networth & Chill Networking Event in London a few weeks back. Big up! to Mykal Lancaster and his Team for putting on an excellent event that showcases talented individuals that have taken the brave step in starting/running their own businesses.

Sherelle’s secret source is indeed no secret at all – she is openly revealing that she is acting in accordance with a mission set forth by GOD to be an entrepreneur. She is merely answering her call with unweathering faith that GOD is rocket fuel propelling her towards success. It is this faith that has enabled Sherelle to triumph over all the challenges in her path. Being a single mother, loss of employment – yet Sherelle still is rising.

Sherelle discusses her passion for making natural skin products that are individually crafted along, how and why she chose the words Faith, Hope & Love for business, the challenges in starting a business plus so much more. The jewels of wisdom in this interview can be applied by all no matter your background.

I thoroughly enjoyed this interview Sherelle is a beautiful sincere human being with a quality product – there are not many products out there that have this combination between owner/producer and product. Less just say this, I bought a Gift package from her website as a Christmas present for a family member. It arrived promptly, perfectly wrapped, so I was compelled to open it, I sampled the products, now it’s mine – all mine – my precious!

Lookout in the new year for part 2 of this conversation.

Don’t just live life – Make life Boom!

Check out her Links below – Hurray to get your order before Christmas!

Website: FaithHopeAndlovenaturalProducts.com

Welcome to Part 3 of the final part of the miniseries Let’s Talk Mental Health – where we have explored mental health, trauma from a parents view, we have discussed with Geert Bettinger author of MOVING ON BY STANDING STILL - how to make sense of behaviour that can be deemed as challenging from both his journey and working with educators, families.  

Available on Amazon so go check it out!

Today, I am blessed once again and extremely grateful to welcome Jenny Pink to the conversation to help seal by triangulating this very important subject by providing a view from the clinical perspective.

It is through the sharing of different views of mental health we can raise our awareness and hopefully build the confidence to support anyone that has or is going through a mental health crisis, regardless of the root cause:

Biological, Childhood abuse,

trauma, or neglect, social isolation or loneliness.

Experiencing discrimination and stigma.

Social disadvantage, poverty or debt.

Bereavement (losing someone close to you)

Severe or long-term stress.

long-term physical health condition.

unemployment or losing your job.

Jenny is a freelance Mental Health Consultant that specialises in working with children’s and families and was central to setting up a Children’s psychiatry liaison Service in Surrey. For those of you in the know setting up any services in the NHS is a tall order – the pressures are many and the expectations to succeed through improving patient outcomes very high.

We discuss your journey into CAMHS (Child Adolescent Mental Health Nursing), teasing out the career challenges and highlights. Trust me when I say this, Jenny is honest about her experiences which is refreshing, to say the least. Jenny’s expertise will help anyone that is caring for a young person that is grappling to make sense of their mental illness how to spot the signs and symptoms that they need.  These can and are not limited to:

Mood disorders (such as depression or bipolar disorder),

Anxiety disorders.

Personality disorders.

Psychotic disorders (such as schizophrenia)

Eating disorders.

Trauma-related disorders (such as post-traumatic stress disorder)

Substance abuse disorders

From her professional perspective, we also discuss the use of technology to support the early detection of mental illness, maintaining health and wellbeing and most importantly prevention. Jenny has become a strong advocate for the use of gathering data effectively and efficiently to make the case for better provision for care. Jenny is bold and courageous and passionate about her work, her vision for the future of healthcare will blow you away and quite frankly any manifesto. 

Jenny reveals the core attributes needed to be an effective mental health nurse, and this interview is a clarion call for anyone that had the thought of entering this rewarding profession – there is no better time as the nursing bursary has been reinstated. The negatively impacted mature people chances to train as a nurse. Jenny has sounded the clarion call the nursing profession needs you, so rise to the calling!

This interview will surely resonate with anyone going through mental health challenges directly or indirectly pls share, like and comment to be part of the conversation.

Jenny’s useful links that she uses in her work

https://youngminds.org.uk/contact-us/parents-helpline-enquiries/ https://youngminds.org.uk/find-help/get-urgent-help/youngminds-crisis-messenger/ https://mindfulpinkelephant.co.uk/ https://youngminds.org.uk/ https://www.livesinthebalance.org/ https://www.nhs.uk/apps-library/category/mental-health/

If you would like to know more about mental health and how to support anyone going through this challenge – reach out on our email address [email protected]

Thanks once again to Jenny Pink for the time and sharing her experience and expertise on the interview. On the behalf of all the listeners and THE MIC DROP CLUB, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and Prosperous NEW YEAR!

JENNY PINK YOU ROCK & MAKE YOUNG PEOPLES LIFE BOOM!

THANK YOU!

Part 2 of 3 – Let’s Talk Mental Health – How to Find Meaning in ‘Problem Behaviour’ ft Geert Bettinger author of Moving on by Standing Still

As we steadily build our #mentalhealthawareness it is important to not overlook the behavioural traits of people that are going through or have gone through traumatic life events, developmental disabilities and mental illness including dementia. To help us better understand how to separate the behaviour from the person, we welcome via Skype Geert Bettinger author of Moving on by Standing Still to The Mic Drop Club. This groundbreaking book was written to challenge our perceptions on ‘Problem Behaviour’ by questioning our values, beliefs and attitudes. His book has taken him around the world and is fast becoming the de-facto book to changing the culture of care to one that champions the patients experience, needs, wishes and feelings. 

“Is the behaviour a problem for you or the individual?”

I had the pleasure of co-delivering a care planning module with Geert to pre-registered Nurses at Kingston University. Our approach was described as electric, the students were able to explore his methods through role-play, addressing key issues such as patient empowerment, embracing silence, remaining open and non-judgemental whilst acknowledging that the patient is the expert based on their lived experience with the illness. The care professional is there to support them on the journey to recovery.

“The time has come to re-educate the educators”

This interview was facilitated by Skype as Geert is based in the Netherlands,

#TheMicdropClub would like to extend an extra special Thank you to Geert Bettinger for this insightful interview and wish him every success in changing care practices around the world.

For more information and to purchase his book click on the links below:

http://www.geertbettinger.com/

https://www.amazon.com/Moving-Standing-Still-Different-Behavior/dp/1525514016

If this interview resonance with you or you would like more information on how to support someone with mental health illness, feel free to drop us a line and we will gladly signpost you in the right direction.

[email protected]

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCi3r4DFTpaRoan1zRjZCZqg

www.the140.rule.com

https://www.facebook.com/douglas.hamandishe

https://www.instagram.com/the_140_rule/

Part 1 of 3 – Series focusing on raising Mental Health Awareness

As we fast approach Christmas, I would like to shift the focus to #mentalhealth with the view to raising awareness by interviewing people that have had direct experience living with a mental illness including the often forgotten family members, friends and carers - as you will hear play a crucial role in an individual's journey to recovery. Lastly, the Health and Social Care professionals that deliver the care. It is my hope that this triangulation of the different views and experiences will give you a better holistic view of mental health. Managing your mental health is central to achieving your goals and The central wealth of our people is mental health - Master Ace Letter to the Better.

I was fortunate enough to discuss with a close friend and colleague Tracy Page on her journey supporting her daughter with her mental health challenges. Tracy speaks candidly how she navigated the mental health system with all its complexities, the thoughts and feeling she had at the time, her copying strategies and ultimately coming to terms the new reality as defined by her daughter. This podcast packs a real punch and shall resonate with anyone that is going a similar challenge. I ask you kindly forward this podcast to them.

It is now commonly accepted that 1 in 4 of us shall develop some sort of mental health illness in our lifetime – common diagnoses being depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, schizophrenia and bipolar. Although much of the stigma has gone, there is still plenty of work that needs to be done in supporting people experiencing mental health challenges. Service provisions in many areas in the UK are lacking in resources, Inpatient wards are not adequately staffed, staff need better training in the Recovery Module, Community Teams spend far too little time with service users the list is endless. Yet, despite this Tracy has demonstrated great resilience, her daughter even greater courage and that combination should instil hope for everyone going through this challenge.

If this interview resonance with you or you would like more information on how to support someone with mental health illness, feel free to drop us a line and we will gladly signpost you in the right direction.

[email protected]

Thanks Tracy for the Recovery Focussed Mannequin

#TheMicdropClub would like to extend an extra special Thank you for Tracy for this interview and wish her and her family success for the future.

Useful Links

The 5 stages of Grief - Kübler-Ross model

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K%C3%BCbler-Ross_model

https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/tips-for-everyday-living/parenting-with-a-mental-health-problem/#.XepR_5L7RBw

https://childmind.org/article/support-friend-with-mental-health-challenges/

https://www.nami.org/find-support/family-members-and-caregivers/learning-to-help-your-child-and-your-family

For videos to help Motivate and Inspire you to achieve goals, check out the links below.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCi3r4DFTpaRoan1zRjZCZqg

www.the140.rule.com

https://www.facebook.com/douglas.hamandishe

https://www.instagram.com/the_140_rule/