Improgresso Ltd

10/04/2025

Action Toy Working Jennie! 😂

28/03/2025

Are We Ever “Enough”?

In my work supporting people’s development, I meet so many talented professionals—smart, capable, successful—who quietly carry self-doubt. Imposter syndrome whispers, “Am I good enough?” and even those in great roles, making real impact, question themselves.

It’s not just them. So many of us go through life wondering if we’re okay, if we measure up.

Yesterday, I met a lovely young woman on the train. We got chatting about careers, ambitions, and life choices. She shared lots about her education, working life so far and future plans and asked questions about my career journey, which I matter of factly explained. And then she said something that surprised me—she was in awe of what I had achieved, she thought I should write a book ( I won’t be. Don’t worry friends that you’ll politely have to read it!) I had a moment where I thought is she mad - thinking I’ve done anything remotely special here?

It only takes a chance encounter to hold up a mirror, to remind yourself of the value you bring. That conversation made me pause, reflect, and appreciate the path I’ve walked.

So, if you ever doubt yourself, take a step back. Look at how far you’ve come. And if you get the chance, remind someone else of their worth, too.

I am really hoping she achieves her dreams. And hoping we all take a little more time to recognise our own worth and progress.

27/03/2025

Busy old week on the road firstly with a team at the beginning of their Leadership Development journey and then with a team presenting to the board at the end of their formal development programme. Some fabulous insights from all and superb strategic business proposals. Return on Investment right there!

25/03/2025

This was a lovely group of delegates who really engaged with the learning and how to apply it back in the workplace. Lookong forward to seeing them present to the Board later this week.

"The training was engaging, practical, and aligned with our needs, equipping our talent pool with the confidence and skills to lead effectively in a…

18/03/2025

Good session yesterday discussing impactful Report Writing, influence and decision making governance.

08/03/2025

International Woman’s Day!

Generally- honestly- I’d wonder if it’s necessary- but just yesterday I was talking with a colleague about a program she runs for an organisation which has women only cohorts and men only cohorts. She was reflecting on how much more confidence, openness, vulnerability, support and preparation to take risk she saw in the women’s only group compared to when women are in mixed development sessions.

I was initially genuinely amazed and then reflected on learning from my sociology A-level a few (ish!!) years back when at school, and the studies that showed the levels of confidence in boys and men compared to women.

I feel fairly sure we’ve moved on somewhat from those old studies but clearly there is still a way to go for women to be braver and more comfortable with themselves.

A study by the UCL Centre for Longitudinal Studies found that men are 34% more likely than women to be employed in top jobs at age 42, with overconfidence explaining up to 11% of this gender gap among full-time workers.

Ladies- we’ve got this and our ability to be vulnerable and supportive and all the wonderful things we can be are exactly what is needed in the world.

Thank you to the women who support me to be me - and embrace what that brings! 😂😂

01/02/2025

Associate work can bring good work and interesting clients.

FAQ Spotlight✨: What else do you offer beyond training programmes? As well as training programmes, we support organisations with a range of different people and organisational development related products and services...

30/01/2025

Great couple of days delivering hybrid face to face/ online development sessions for a lovely passionate management team.

27/01/2025

Driving Effectivness through Analysis

As an organisational development professional, I often remind people of the value of revisiting the tools we’ve known about for years but don’t always use to their full potential. During coaching over the last few days this has become so apparent, with people telling me how they have applied various tools we've discussed.

One of those tools? The classic SWOT analysis.

For those needing a quick refresher, SWOT stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. It’s a simple yet powerful framework to:

👍Take stock of your current situation

👍Identify areas for growth

👍Spot risks early

A SWOT analysis is as valuable for organisations as it is for teams or individuals. It provides a structured way to evaluate both internal factors (strengths and weaknesses) and external influences (opportunities and threats). Done periodically, it becomes a practical check-in tool to help you navigate change, recalibrate goals, and seize emerging opportunities.

Why is it worth revisiting? Because in today’s fast-paced environment, opportunities and challenges evolve quickly. Regularly mapping out where you stand can uncover overlooked strengths or risks and set you up for proactive, informed decision-making.

Here’s a quick example of how to approach each quadrant:

Strengths: What are we doing well? What resources or expertise set us apart?

Weaknesses: Where are we struggling? What gaps exist?

Opportunities: What trends or changes could we take advantage of? Are there untapped markets or partnerships?

Threats: What challenges could undermine our success? Are there external pressures we need to mitigate?

🕖 Taking 30 minutes to work through a SWOT can yield insights that drive clarity and focus for months ahead.

Are you leveraging this simple but effective tool regularly? Let’s not overcomplicate things—sometimes, the basics are the best place to start.

24/01/2025

This development programme is yielding such amazing results-someone told me it had been ‘breathtaking’ - I’m here for that!

We had an amazing time last week in Cumbria as Jennie wrapped up our management and leadership modular training programmes with the fantastic team at Morris &…

22/01/2025

During a coaching session this morning, we discussed the 80/20 rule. Then just now, I came across this graphic. Helpful to revisit, remember and reapply this thinking. Great productivity and general wellbeing tool. Now - to sort that wardrobe!

09/01/2025

⭐️⭐️⭐️ Are you demonstrating values??

This morning, I took my car to a pre-booked service at a brand’s sales and service center. On arrival, they couldn’t find my booking – a moment of confusion for us all ( and beginning of annoyance for me!!) Instead of passing the problem back to me, they stepped up.

After confirming it was their error, they made space for my service, set me up in a quiet office to work while I waited, served me coffee all morning, and gave me chocolates and wine as an apology. It was a masterclass in demonstrating their service value in action. (which they haven’t always in the past!)

Service is often one of the more visible values an organisation can showcase, but what about the rest? Are you and your team consistently demonstrating all your company (and personal) values in the way you operate? Are they ingrained in the culture and experience you deliver every day?

Living the values creates the trust and impact that drives loyalty. Loyalty - and effort- from employees and customers/clients. Take a moment to check in: are your values showing up where they matter most? Meanwhile - almost the weekend from the first full week back of the new year - I’ll enjoy that wine!!

06/01/2025

New Year, New You - and all that!

The start of a new year is often a time for personal fresh starts—setting goals, clearing the decks, and focusing on what really matters( for five minutes at least!) But it’s also the perfect opportunity to take stock of your business or organisation. Things to ask yourself -

* Is your strategy clear and focused - and does everyone understand it?
* Are the priority actions defined and people clearly accountable for them ?
* Do you have strong governance, cleer decision making processes and effective monitoring in place?
* Is performance management and development working well?
* Are comms strong, two way and giving people what they need?

And —are you truly appreciating your people and taking care of culture?

Fresh starts aren’t just about resolutions; they’re about reflection and alignment. When you’re clear on where you’re heading and why, you can energise your team and build momentum.

This January, take the time to review, refine, and reignite your approach. The best results happen when strategy and ex*****on go hand in hand, powered by the people who make it all possible.

Let’s make 2025 a year of clarity, action, and impact! Happy to help!

31/12/2024

As we step into the new year, I tend to get reflective and think on the journey I’ve taken over the past 12 months.

It’s good for us to take a moment to celebrate successes—big or small, they’ve shaped our path somehow. Reflect on the lessons learned from challenges; those experiences have strengthened our resilience and sharpened perspective.

The new year brings us a fresh canvas, a chance to dream bigger, set new goals, and approach each day with renewed energy. Let’s embrace this year with courage, curiosity, and a mindset ready to make the most of every opportunity.

Here’s to building on last year’s growth and facing the future with purpose and vigour.

Wishing you all a happy, healthy, and successful year ahead! Let’s inspire one another! (I’m needing it following an exhausting December!!)

19/12/2024

The Christmas Deadline: Anyone loving it??

Ah, Christmas Day. The ultimate immovable deadline. Unlike the “soft” deadlines we can often flex or negotiate at work, Christmas is absolute. No extensions, no sprints—ready or not, it’s happening.

It’s a pressure we rarely face in our agile, ambiguous workplaces. Yet every year, we juggle gifts, meals, and relatives while trying to look like we’re having fun. If this makes you want to hide in a cupboard with a tin of Quality Street, don’t worry—you’re not alone. Here are some tips to stay resilient and keep your sense of humor intact.

1. Prioritise Like a Pro

Not everything is essential. Focus on what truly matters—time with loved ones and moments of joy. Similarly, in work, focus on “must-haves” over “nice-to-haves.” Burnout isn’t festive.

2. Break It Into Sprints

Santa doesn’t pack his sleigh in one go, and you don’t have to tackle everything at once. Celebrate small wins: gifts wrapped? Done! Kids in festive jumpers without tears? Gold star!

At work, incremental progress beats perfection. Done is better than perfect when the clock is ticking.

3. Delegate, Delegate, Delegate

Santa has elves—you can have helpers too. Whether it’s family peeling potatoes or colleagues sharing the load, delegation is strength, not weakness. Phrase it as a “team effort”—it works like magic.

4. Cut Yourself Some Slack

Life, like Christmas, doesn’t need to be perfect to be meaningful. Burned a batch of cookies? Missed a detail at work? That’s tomorrow’s anecdote. Good enough is good enough.

5. Remember the Bigger Picture

Christmas, like deadlines, comes and goes. What people remember is connection, not perfection. No project—or roast potato—is worth sacrificing your wellbeing for.

Resilience isn’t about doing everything perfectly; it’s about prioritising, staying flexible, and laughing off the chaos. Whether you’re wrapping gifts or projects, imperfection is part of the charm.

So cut yourself some slack, enjoy the season, and pour a glass of something merry. And if all else fails? There’s always next year.

Now, where’s that glass of something merry - despite these tips it might be the only thing that gets me through!!! Tell me I’m not alone!

09/12/2024

Ten Years!!!! 😮 I started my independent consulting business ten years ago! Celebrated with a festive lunch - and couple (😂) of glasses of bubbly. 🥂🍾

So very grateful to have worked with so many lovely clients and associates over those years. ❤️ So much variety - all focused on helping people and organisations be more confident, happy and effective - and get the results they want. 💯

Hopefully added some real value across that time - they tell me I have - reckon I must be alright at this stuff! 😜 Long may it continue Hope to see you soon!

05/12/2024

Great session talking Engaging Comms, Influence, High Performing Teams, Challenging Conversations, and feedback culture. And the bonus of a Christmas Tree in our room!

26/11/2024

Been talking Leadership today with leaders from Regional Adoption Agencies. This quote on the wall speaks volumes for the work they do - but also provides a reminder of the importance of fairness, equity and inclusion in leading the grown ups too!