Last Monday was apparently blue Monday. This according to the media is something to do with it being the middle Monday of January, and with January being after Christmas and that it can be financially challenging, on top of that it is cold and dark. To me this notion that there is one day thatContinue reading “Blue Monday and other days”
Author Archives: Matt Smith Personal and Professional Coach
Keep being curious…..
Keep being curious…..but be curious to increase your understanding and challenge you bias, rather than to judge and confirm your bias. I was reading a lively debate on LinkedIn (remember don’t judge) last night about white privilege and how the UK is set up in favour of the white middle class, heterosexual, able bodied man.Continue reading “Keep being curious…..”
What influences how we communicate with different people?
This has been a subject on my mind this week. It came up when I was discussing with a group how I find it difficult talking to senior managers and members of the exec, something that happens more often now I have changed my role. It was also a subject I have been considering thisContinue reading “What influences how we communicate with different people?”
Are you always warmhearted?
I was reading an article by The Dalai Lama this morning on mindful compassionate leadership. He says being warmhearted leads to a happy life, a fulfilled life. If you approach everything in life in a compassionate manner then you will be more peaceful in your response, whereas if you are always approaching life with angerContinue reading “Are you always warmhearted?”
Time to connect!
I have been writing a book and based my approach to coaching on the idea of connected living. The idea is that we first need to connect and understand ourselves before effectively connecting with those around us. So if we pay attention to ourselves and treat ourselves well, we will be better able to payContinue reading “Time to connect!”
Don’t get sucked into the rhetoric of division
Yesterday I posted a blog about inclusion at work and how embracing the diversity within our workplace will improve creativity and productivity. Today I woke up to more news of division in the world we live in. Our world seems more divided than ever. The news it appears is full of hate. Whether you agreeContinue reading “Don’t get sucked into the rhetoric of division”
Are you missing out on connecting with people that are different from you?
Do you find yourself attracted to people similar to yourself. How many of the people you regularly connect with have a completely different view of the world to you. Now you might have a diverse group of friends, connections and acquaintances, but I will hazard a guess that the majority of us prefer to connectContinue reading “Are you missing out on connecting with people that are different from you?”
How are you at giving and receiving feedback?
Whenever you read an article or a chapter on leadership or communication, there is always a section on how important feedback is. In reality though it is something that is rarely appears done well. Now I have been thinking about my own experiences of giving and receiving feedback, both first hand and second hand. InContinue reading “How are you at giving and receiving feedback?”
Where has the time gone
30 years ago this morning, I worked my first ever shift as a Student Nurse. I started my Nurse training in the October, and I then spent the next 3 months in the class room with brief visits to the wards. After a short break for Christmas I started my first placement on Ward 21Continue reading “Where has the time gone”
Music that has made me smile/sometimes cry this year
As many of you will already know, music plays an important part in my life. You will also know that both my sons are musicians. Ben is in Vialetters (If you have never heard them, firstly why not? Secondly don’t worry they are on the playlist above) and Jack is in a band called SpeakEasy,Continue reading “Music that has made me smile/sometimes cry this year”
Connected Coaching 