Cocktails and Coaching

Have you ever wondered how some people just seem to have a knack of being able to persuade you to do something? (like stay for  just  one more drink!!!)…   If you want to either learn how to influence and persuade people or maybe to just be more aware of people trying to influence you, then keep reading as there are 4 styles you need to be aware of. I've split this blog into 4 parts so that I can keep to my usual short and hopefully sweet style! And this is the final instalment! Attracting This type of influencing is called Attracting …  This one is best used when the other person trusts you, you share some common views and they are looking for direction. There are just two steps for this one. Find a Common Ground Share a Vision So firstly, find a common ground , think about  ideas , values or beliefs that you share and bring them to life... And then find a way to share a vision , paint a picture of the future , talk about ...

Have you ever wondered how some people just seem to have a knack of being able to persuade you to do something? (like stay for  just  one more drink!!!)…   If you want to either learn how to influence and persuade people or maybe to just be more aware of people trying to influence you, then keep reading as there are 4 styles you need to be aware of. I've split this blog into 4 parts so that I can keep to my usual short and hopefully sweet style!  This is part three with one more to follow. Asserting This type of influencing is called  Asserting … This is best when you both have something to gain or lose. You have a legitimate need that must be met, plus you have some control over an incentive or pressure in exchange. This one has three steps State your expectations Evaluate Use an incentive / pressure State your expectation  by making clear what your  need ,  demand , or  requirement  is. Evaluate by ...

Have you ever wondered how some people just seem to have a knack of being able to persuade you to do something? (like stay for  just  one more drink!!!)…   If you want to either learn how to influence and persuade people or maybe to just be more aware of people trying to influence you, then keep reading as there are 4 styles you need to be aware of. I've split this blog into 4 parts so that I can keep to my usual short and hopefully sweet style!  This is part two, with the next two to follow… Bridging This type of influencing is called  Bridging …  This one is best when you need or value the other person's contribution. You're happy to admit to your mistakes and perhaps the other person is upset or resisting and you don't really know why. This one can take a bit longer to resolve as you're asking for the other person's opinion but when you get there they should be fully engaged. This one has three steps Involve Listen Disc...

The My posts so far have concentrated on Coaching so I thought it was about time I did one on Cocktails! So here are my top 10 cocktails and why… (also pretty much turned into my top 10 holidays too!!) 10  June bug  One of the first cocktails I ever tried at TGI Fridays many, many years ago… 9 Chilli Martini At Dirty Martinis in Covent Garden... A bit of a random one but a great little bar so had to include!! 8  Managers Happy hour (ie free) Rum Punch  With my husband on honeymoon in Thailand. 7  Porn star Martini Discovered this doing a cocktail making class at my friend's hen do in Zabranos, Soho - lovely cocktail... 6  Piña collada con on poco de ron (with a little rum)  Visiting my best friend in the Dominican Republic, as it's only a little rum, anytime after midday is acceptable!! 5 Oreo Milkshake I can't remember the name of this one, where I was or when I had it but it consisted of vanilla ice cream, Ore...

I've heard a lot of good tips about how to tell a story like; Have a wow moment - ie have a part of the story which everyone will remember Make sure there's structure; - Like a beginning, middle and end Or - Set the scene, identify a problem and have an ask Make it personal - relate to the audience  Keep it simple And just keep it short and concise But the best tip I've heard recently about storytelling is to really think about what you want people to think , feel or do ? Whether you're doing a presentation, asking your boss for something or sending out a weekly report…. On the back of the interaction, what do you want people to think , feel or do ? Sometimes at work you have to present on a regular basis to give an update. But how much better does it feel if you go into the room with the aim to make people think , feel or do something? Whether that's to make people think you've got it all under control, to make them feel c...

What's the benefit of actually getting stressed and how can you try and stop yourself from feeling stressed?   It's true that a bit of adrenaline can get your body pumped up and ready to go…  But too much and it stops rational messages getting to your brain.   Did you know that it takes on average 2 hours for adrenalin to leave you bloodstream , so if you end up getting too stressed or angry, then it's really hard to just 'snap out of it', so the key is to stop yourself from getting too stressed in the first place…   People often say to me that I never seem to get stressed and they think I'm always happy.   I work full time and have two young children, so of course I'm not the picture of calm all the time! But the thing I try to stop and think is, what benefit is there from getting stressed, angry or shouting, and remembering just how more productive or persuasive (when it comes to parenthood!) I am when I'm calm.   If I get too stre...

So if you've read my blog entitled Happy New Year , then you could be well on your way to getting that  next role or promotion. Fingers crossed you've got the perfect storm where you're now being offered 2 fantastic roles from which you need to choose your next step. I wanted to write this blog to help you decide when opportunities arise for you, what questions you can ask yourself to decide what you want… Pros and cons I've now 'gone digital' and thrown away my notepad but there's nothing quite like putting pen to paper and writing down the pros and cons for the options you face. Be clear on you values What are the few things that are really important to you in any role you take? Does it tick all the boxes? It's worth reading Life is a Succession of Memories  if you're unsure. Take time Don't feel pressured into making a decisions, the implications could be massive so ensure you have enough time to think it through properl...