James Royal

I remember when I worked as a change management consultant in the technology sector, I got to a point (it was actually at the point of having returned to work after my first baby) where my role literally drained every ounce of joy and energy out of me. I felt that there had to be more. On paper my career looked good, I had a good job with a nice salary but I felt empty, I felt unfulfilled. I didn't want to continue doing what I was doing as it was actually making me unhappy and I was taking that unhappiness into home life, which I didn't want to do either. For me, I was fortunate in that I had had a dual career since 2010 after qualifying as an executive coach and I knew that coaching was my passion, so the decision to step into that space fulltime was easy. What was not so easy, was the 'where to start' and 'what were the next steps'', the trying and failing, the trying and succeeding, all a rollercoaster that still continues to this day. I have worked with coaches over the years and still do as I think coaching helps to gain clarity and stay on track and connected with my goals. There is also the accountability which is fundamental to success. If you are at that point where you have decided enough is enough and you REALLY WANT change, you don't want to wake up in 3 years time to the same story and feelings, then give me a call and I can share with you how I can help you to Take Control of your Career and have a fulfilling career which supports a happy family life too. #careercoaching #unfulfilled #workingmum

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Artificial Intelligence (AI) It's a TOP ask and want from #EA and #PA professionals who acknowledge its value and recognise the importance of staying ahead of the curve- if that's YOU, check out our upcoming 🍏Lunch n Learn LIVE🍏Series 3 per link in comments.

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A remarkable day with this wonderful group of leaders from McMillan Shakespeare (MMSG) as they continue on their journey of Agility. We laid a solid foundation through a highly interactive session, ensuring that each activity exemplified the Agile mindset, embodied the fundamental behaviours, and promoted effective ways of working. Onwards and upwards team! #AgileTraining #GrowthMindset #AgileMindset #HighPerformingTeams

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I’m excited to announce Michael Pheasant, MPH and I’s upcoming masterclass with Life Science Access Academy! Leadership (good or bad) has a huge impact on our working lives. We’ve all encountered bad bosses in our times, whether it’s the micromanager 😤, the poor communicator 🗣️, the overly critical boss 😒, or the one that’s far too nice 😊. We may find ourselves asking the question "Are We Surrounded by Bad Bosses?" 🤔 To be a boss is a role, a task, a job— but it is not a behaviour. Leadership is a communication process, and communication isn't one-size-fits-all! 📣 We'll explore how to effectively channel different leadership styles to meet the needs of your business and its people, and how you can bring out the best in others and drive positive change. 🌟 Join us on 26th September at 13:00 BST, with host Ian Chamberlain! #LeadershipDevelopment #InsightsDiscovery #LifeScienceLeaders #LSAA

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How important is empathy in Change Management? I absolutely love this image that has been created by Charlie Mackesy, to represent the theme for Kate Middleton's Christmas Carol Service. As our programme team is currently executing cutover, and the weeks are demanding, it got me thinking about how having a strong change team by your side is such a key enabler to being an effective Change Manager. Change Management at its core is about working with people. We can get distracted by toolkits and processes, but it's people that make or break transformation programmes. So how to build that strong connection with your change team? 1. Build trust and credibility, essential for gaining buy-in and creating that sense of shoulder-to-shoulder team spirit. 2. Show genuine care for the wellbeing and concerns of those involved in or impacted by change. 3. Actively listen to concerns, fears or frustrations, and work through solutions together. 4. Create a safe environment for people to express their feelings. 5. Dig into resistance. This often stems from fear or uncertainty. Don't shy away from this, acknowledge these emotions and work together to address the root causes. 6. Change is stressful and unsettling, especially at the cutover or go live stage. Recognise the emotional toll it can take on people. 7. Help people build resilience and awareness of what they need to be at their best. 8. Celebrate small wins, recognise efforts and achievements, and thank people for their contribution. 9. Check-in with people regularly, notice when someone's not themselves, and show them that you're there to support. 10. Lastly, have fun! Keep the banter flowing, you need it during stressful times. #teamwork #Transformers #Businesstransformation #Changemanagement #Realchangerealdifference #Programmemanagement #empathy

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✴ I recently listened to an amazing podcast from HBR titled 'How to Embrace Ambiguity When Making Decisions' - https://lnkd.in/eJZGp43K It really made me think and I want to share some insights with you, especially for those stepping into new engineering leadership roles. Why? Because sometimes it seems like there are endless paradoxes to navigate - ➡ Focusing on team goals while also enabling individual autonomy ➡ Being available and supportive while also allowing people to develop the capacity to solve hard challenges ➡ Driving innovation while maintaining stability and consistency ➡ Providing clear direction while fostering creativity and independent thinking What Wendy Smith and Marianne Lewis say about not falling into the trap of either/or thinking while navigating trade-offs really made me think about times when I’ve done it. I love the quote they shared, “The problem is not the problem; the problem is how we think about the problem.” They recommend that instead of fixating on the immediate issue, we should explore its opposite or complementary aspects, which will help us learn new things and potentially uncover novel solutions. Their message about overcorrection also made me think about the current wave of layoffs, where companies hyper-fixate on one aspect of a goal and lose sight of their core values and what made them successful in the first place. What paradoxes have you encountered? How have you navigated them?

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Did you catch my talk on Human-Centric Transformation? 🧠 It is now common place for organisations to rely on transformation programmes to support their changing business. We also know that nearly £2 trillion is wasted in failed transformation❗ If we start by considering people before processes, our change efforts are far more likely to succeed. You can learn more about this topic by catching up on my talk 'The Missing Link: Why a Human-Centric approach to Transformation is Essential' here! https://lnkd.in/eaSyAQah Media Zoo #transformation #inspiringpositivechange

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Behaviours....have I talked about them enough yet? Clear Tangible Measurable Behaviours. I think this is the missing link in most teams. What do you think? Here's 1 minute of me explaining more ➡ This is an extract from a Work Punks podcast recorded back in February. For the whole podcast recording clink on this link: //https://lnkd.in/eMTPHB4G

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I'm really looking forward to our session with CMCE on the 18th September. Graham and I will be sharing our learning from The Conversation Lab world and some tips about how the insight can help management consultants to enhance their conversations with clients and increase the impact and effectiveness of their engagements. It's a free event and there is link below to register. Will we see you there? #cmceevents #managementconsultants #independentconsultant #consultancy #cmce #theconversationlab

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Huge thank you to everyone who has shown such great support and interest in these Think Distinct events. 💡Leadership For Managers 💡Leading Challenging Conversations 💡Coaching For Leaders and 💡The Leadership Accelerator New dates and new events coming soon! Find out more about these, bespoke programmes and coaching at www.thinkdistinct.co.uk #thinkdistinct #theleadershipaccelerator #leadership #leadershipdevelopment #leadershiptraining

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At Insights we continue to embrace digital transformation and recognise that easy access to engaging virtual learning is at the forefront of professional development. It's only Tuesday night and I've already spent most of the last two days delivering what I hope have been engaging and interactive virtual learning sessions! Here’s how I’m prepare: 🔧 **Tech Check:** Ensuring all my tools—camera, microphone, and software—are ready to provide a seamless experience. I have become a big advocate for apps too such as Slido, time timers and the new WebEx AI application for summarising content for late joiners. Thanks Peggy Koopman-Brandwagt 😉 📚 **Content Refinement:** Adapting materials to be more dynamic and suitable for online learning, with a focus on interactivity. 💡 **Engagement Strategies:** Incorporating Slido, breakout rooms, gamification, music and Q&A sessions to keep participants engaged and active. 🌐 **Global Mindset:** Tailoring content to accommodate diverse time zones and learning styles for a more inclusive experience. 🛠️ **Backup Plans:** Just in case my tech decides to throw a tantrum, I’m prepared with backups...if a backup is a raised heart rate, loud swallowing and the desire to launch a router out of a window. In the comments tell me about how you like to experience virtual learning, or which tools, tech and strategies you use to deliver workshops online. #VirtualLearning #ProfessionalDevelopment #DigitalTransformation #Elearning #LifelongLearning

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Yesterday was my first day back from holiday, and what a great way to jump straight back in by running a workshop on a subject very close to my heart, enabling senior leaders to best support people experiencing Imposter Syndrome, in order to unlock individual and organisational potential. We had some powerful, open and honest conversations, and there were some beautiful moments of personal vulnerability, an admirable leadership trait and one that plays a pivotal role in helping people to accept their imperfections. We recognised both the light and shade of Imposter Syndrome, and how we can help ourselves and our team members to embrace the positive aspects of it, while overcoming those that hold us back. Imposter Syndrome affects more than 70% of us and is a key blocker to fulfilling individual and organisational potential. Yet it's still not widely discussed or supported.That's why I'm so passionate about opening up the dialogue within organisations and equiping people with the resources to help themselves and others, so that they can maximise their enjoyment and success. #impostersyndrome #unlockingpotential #selfbelief #leadershipdevelopment

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Sometimes it feels overwhelming because of the amount of information I want to proceed, reflect on and retain, but I'm not going to give up! These are my insights from the "Strategic L&D that Makes a Difference" panel. Derek Bruce - Chartered FCIPD, Leadership and Culture Manager at TESCO, shared his perspective which really inspired me: *Leaders in organisations are the people with great influence. Will what they know and capable of doing now be enough in future? Maybe they don't know what to do and how. Help your leaders be comfortable being uncomfortable. Listen to them, have an open dialog. What if they DON'T DO something in particular? What will be the impact of not doing or doing something? - this might be the starting point in the conversation. Find things out: what is important and how it leads them to their goals. *And what about people impacted? How will the leaders engage employees with the strategy and their goals? And one thing that really impressed me: in TESCO they have Store Days. They physically spend 2 days every half a year to observe and PARTICIPATE in what are the employees' daily routine! I believe that is what we all should start (or continue) doing in our L&D roles! OEB Global Conference #education #learninganddevelopment #leadershipdevelopment Qlab University Veronika Kryzhanovskaya

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I'm really looking forward to quizzing our amazing line-up of keynote speakers at our team conference in July. And our workshops are covering so many hot topics here for those managing and working with teams. Join me? 16th and 17th July, Cambridge, UK. I think Early Bird rates end in a week or so... 👀 Belbin Team Roles (UK - Head Office) Belbin in Higher Education Tracy E. #belbin #teamroles #teamconference #BelbinTeamConference24 #psychologicalsafety #recruitment #emotionalintelligence #leadership #authenticity #organisationaldiagnostics #vuca #resilience #experientiallearning #highereducation #resilientteams #teamcoaching #teambuilding #learninganddevelopment

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I distinctly remember the first week I managed a team. The assumption I carried was that I had stepped up into a more senior design job. It took some time and quite a few mistakes until I realised: Managing people is its own craft. I had not been promoted as a designer, but rather moved sideways into the parallel, and noticeably different, track of people management. When I realised that I was a beginner in a new craft, the craft of managing people, it brought me such profound relief. I wasn’t terrible at this - I was learning. Framing people management as a craft with skills to be developed brings consciousness and care to the undertaking. This is not a burden to be endured, swirling in an endless sea of meetings, but an opportunity to make something excellent. Investing in people managers - through coaching, training and practices of continuous learning - also brings enormous gains to both the productivity and wellbeing of whole teams. There’s competitive advantage here. And if you’re a people manager, craftspersonship is only a mindset-shift away. #leadership #management #coaching https://lnkd.in/g9zE9qnq

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What do you think is the primary role of a change manager? I think it is about building relationships and this is explained further in this article - what do you think? https://lnkd.in/ecD_iheh #change #manager #workplace #technology #acmp

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I have an ask... I would like to work within businesses who have diverse teams. I have realised that my previous team coach experience from building a data business and working in corporate, has set me in good stead for gaining an ICF Team Coach accreditation with Inspirational Group I've seen firsthand the impact that effective coaching can have on teams in organisations - creating a culture of collaboration, communication and continuous improvement for starters. My specialisms includes working with neurodiverse teams and enabling them to create a culture of one. Here my role is seeing teams evolve from struggling to function effectively to becoming high-performing units.  By understanding the strengths and needs of neurodiverse individuals, I can create inclusive and supportive environments where everyone feels valued and empowered. If this sounds like your team and you would like to function better and stop talent leaving the business .. let me know.

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