The pen is mightier than the email
Do you remember as a child being forced to write thank-you letters for birthday or Christmas presents? I was one of five children and, as we opened our presents, we…
What can the Stanislavski Method School of acting teach us about making speeches?
You’ve probably heard of the Method School of Acting – popular with actors like Dustin Hoffman, Daniel Day-Lewis and Meryl Streep. Konstantin Stanislavski was a Russian actor and acting teacher,…
Even the ‘greats’ rehearse
Some people say they don’t like to rehearse because it makes them feel stale or somehow false. They want to feel authentic and free-flowing. They often feel more relaxed in…
What is Confidence?
A leopard doesn’t get up in the morning and think, ‘Am I a good leopard or a bad leopard?’ It just says, ‘I’m a leopard!’ But us humans seem to…
Next Slide Please: What’s the point of PowerPoint?
You might have seen UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson at a recent press conference repeating, ‘Next slide, please. Next slide, please.’ It was comic. It should have been rehearsed so…
How to sound like a leader in 2021
Did you know that over 60% of UK workers think their boss does not possess good leadership skills – and 40% actually left a previous job because of this. My…
5 phrases not to say on a video call
1. ‘OK, shall I start my presentation?’ When we go into a store to buy something, we want the salesperson to tell us, in their own words, why the product…
Are you ready for virtual and remote working?
We’re in an unprecedented third lockdown which, for nearly all businesses, means working from home or remotely and communicating virtually. Nothing can beat the banter, the ability to connect and…
Adding a sense of kindness on Zoom
It’s hard to get back into work mode after the Christmas break, but it’s even harder than usual this year. Working remotely isn’t easy and being away from colleagues can…
Add some sparkle to your Christmas Reading
Being asked to read in a religious service is a great honour, whatever our faith. But for many, it can fill us with dread – whether we are there in…
The Handshake and The Elbow Bump
I don’t know about you, but I didn’t realise how much I missed shaking hands. We’ve clearly been taking it for granted for years. I’m a great one for shaking…
Are you following the Curtain Up rule?
I don’t know about you, but I’m generally pretty punctual. I’ve been an actor for over 30 years and the one thing you learn as an actor is that if…
How to sell yourself without sounding like you’re boasting at a job interview
One of the biggest problems when we try to sell a product, an idea, or even ourselves at a job interview, is that we can easily look like we’re selling.…
The art of listening
We don’t really associate listening with communication. We know listening is a natural part of the communication process. When we converse with someone, we’re not the only ones talking the…
The language of flowers
There is an etiquette to sending flowers. Which do you give someone on their birthday? Which do you chose for a funeral? Which do you take to a friend in…
Could nerves be getting in the way of what you deserve?
When somebody says ‘public speaking’, one of the images we immediately create in our heads is of someone standing on a stage speaking to a large group of audience, like…
Two pieces of advice that will help you in any walk of life
Our elders often given us the best advice. Growing up, my grandfather would share so many priceless gems with me. I’d like to share just two of these: Sometimes it’s…
How to ask for a payrise – without getting the sack!
It’s one of those conversations you dread, but asking for a pay rise is becoming more and more commonplace. A recent poll of 2,000 workers found that more than half…
Why disagreements can be healthy
Many of us do not enjoy disagreement and conflict and see it as very negative and unhealthy. This isn’t always the case. Here, I give my reply to select questions…
Five secrets to success at job interviews
Stand up whilst waiting/login early We are often shown into a boardroom before an interview and offered a seat whilst we wait. Don’t take it. You don’t want their first…
10 ways to successfully navigate a difficult conversation with your boss
Nobody relishes the challenge of having a ‘difficult conversation’ in a professional or personal sense, however, these can unfortunately occur frequently in the workplace; the most challenging of these being…
Three mistakes to avoid at job interviews
Whether your interview is face-to-face or via video call, here are three mistakes many of us naively fall into and must avoid. Don’t sell Never look like you’re selling. Try…
How to hold someone’s attention on a video call
In video calls, we are afforded the ‘luxury’ (if you can call it that) to zone out and stop paying attention. In a group video call, someone can mute themselves…
What is the best posture on a video call?
For many of us, video calling is a very new phenomenon that we’re trying to get used to. On one hand, we have technical questions: How do they work? How…
“If you are looking to be a more effective communicator in your personal or professional life, this is for you. All my staff found it rewarding and enjoyable, even those who don’t usually enjoy active participation.”
Finola Stack
Head, James Allen's Prep School