Really Useful Conversations

You may have seen the noise that the recent headlines created, when the European Human Rights Commission confirmed that under the Equality Act (s.6) that menopause symptoms COULD be classed as a disability. In this week's episode I am going to talk through that noise and explain in really straightforward terms what this means, and what you as a business need to be doing about it. Whether you are a Line Manager, HR Manager, Healthy & Safety Manager or indeed a business owner, this news article does NOT change anything - and no, women are NOT disabled because they are menopausal, and NO we are not entitled to a blue badge and NO it is not every woman! If you are a manager keen to get it right, to understand what matters in the workplace and what your duty of care actually is, then go to my website here and check out this fabulous resource:- If you are curious to understand what all the noise was about, tune into this week's tongue in cheek episode where I will bust a few myths for you. You'll thank me for it ;-)   is definitely worth a look if you want really useful resources that are written and created in a very straight forward, no nonsense way.

In this week's episode I get to chat with Alison Colley, an experienced Solicitor and HR specialist, who is passionate about supporting organisations and individuals with any work problems, and giving clear and unstuffy legal advice. This week we talk about the term reasonable adjustments, and ask when is reasonable actually reasonable enough? Following a recent UK EAT Tribunal Case where the panel suggested an employer dealing with a menopause issue had not acted in a way it considered reasonable, despite adjustments having been made. This takes us on to the wider conversation about situations such as this, and with Alison's advice we cover off some interesting points from a HR and Employment Law perspective. We also recognise the importance of our managers and leaders being trained in more than just following a policy, recognising that they may have to have some quite challenging conversations from time to time. Definitely an episode to tune into!

You understand the importance of really useful conversations at work. You recognise the impact it has on employee engagement, retention and motivation, as well as forming part of your duty of care as am employer. You understand that conversations of this nature if not done well can have legal, financial and moral implications but how do you get others to buy in too?  Whether you are addressing the proactive change to Equality Act 2010 or seeking to implement ISO 45003, you may need to get buy in from others - but how? In this episode we talk exactly about that. Often HR leaders are asked to provide development opportunities but cheaper, in a shorter time scale, without any operational disruption - so whether it is psychosocial safety, organisational resilience, an update in employment law, how do you get your leaders and managers onside? Time to talk - but they need to be prepared to listen!

As UK sickness absence rates are reported to be at a 10 year high and poor mental health being the second biggest reason for workplace absence, it's important that organisations take a more strategic approach to protecting the mental health of their employees. Simply signing up to wellbeing initiatives and appointing mental health first aiders is not the end of it - in fact the Society for Occupational Medicine says there is poor evidence to support that as a solution. So what exactly does need to be happening? How do we make sure we are doing all we can to prevent work-related stress and make sure that the work, workplace or work colleagues are not making matters worse for anyone? In this straight to the point episode we explore the HSE Management Standards and learn more about out duty of care to be proactive and preventative, and stop wasting time, money and effort on flashy firework displays that just don't cut the mustard.

In the most recent CIPD report it shares that sickness absence levels in the UK are currently at a 10 year high, and this is despite the number of organisations who now have appointed Wellbeing Managers and subscribe to various initiatives. Surely if all the employers who talk about the importance of wellbeing are doing these things, consistently and well, we should be seeing sickness absence figures drop? In this week's podcast episode I am exploring why this might indeed be the case and what businesses might need to have on their agenda for 2024 if they want to get, grow and retain staff, and have them rock up regularly, healthy and well, to do their job. Oh and by the way, Happy New Year!

The plane crashed into the 14th Street Bridge, killing 78 people. If only the flight crew had been communicating better. Flight AF90 never made it to it's destination on 13th January 1982, and the need for better equipment when dealing with disasters underground meant the rescues from the July 7th bombings in London were hampered. Communication is simply giving information, direction or guidance - one way and in organisations typically top down - but how about if we created a place where the conversations were two-way, where people were heard, where action was taken, where listening to understand and acting appropriately were every day behaviours? Your job might not be to pilot a plane, to rescue from a tragic incident - but how much are you missing out on or losing by failing to engage with people in meaningful, worthwhile, two- way dialogue? Maybe your sickness absence would decrease, your retention increase, your results improve? Tune in to this week's episode, the last one for 2023 and perhaps use the coming weeks to reflect and consider what it might be like for you and your people if conversations were encouraged at every single level in your business.

This week I get to chat with the woman on a mission to rid the world of rubbish managers - and with the launch of her new book, Jo Wright is passionate about the importance of transformational coaching conversations in organisations as the way forward.   Speaker, author, coach and all round fab person with a framework to offer any business who is committed to creating a culture where people and performance thrive, her skill in organisational coaching is definitely worth a look. Find out more about Jo and her book here

Movember is an annual global campaign that encourages men to grow those mustaches and participate in various activities to raise awareness about men’s health issues. This has included addressing issues such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health challenges, and suicide prevention and is intended as a platform for men to discuss their health openly, seek support, and take proactive steps towards a healthier and happier life. But why do we need to be encouraging this? Why are men often reluctant to access medical help? What do we need to do to change that? What are the Really Useful Conversations that should be happening that are not? Join me for this week's podcast episode to explore this problem further.

Certified coach Dr Jo Baldwin is on a mission to help women aged 40-plus bring oomph and sparkle back into their lives.    Jo empowers women who have lost their ‘mojo’ to rediscover it and reach their full potential.   Her own lived experience of both perimenopause and empty nest syndrome, combined with a 10-year career in obs and gynae medicine, inform her compassionate and holistic coaching style.    In her transformative coaching programmes Jo uses The Women's PowerTypes and is best known for helping self-styled ‘Superwomen’ recover from burnout and to manage their energy levels more sustainably by harnessing the innate energies of the five women’s PowerTypes™   She helps women to be the very best version of themselves and you can have a go at the PowerTypes quiz by clicking here: -

It's all very well and good to encourage Really Useful Conversations about all manner of topics in the workplace but if we don't have the right culture, then people will not feel comfortable to have conversations at all. Organisational climate needs to feel safe, positive and inclusive, and as a leader, you can make a massive difference. In this solo episode I'm going to share some specific points for leaders to be aware of if they are going to create a climate where Really Useful Conversations are more likely.

For Stress Awareness Day who better to talk to than the Founder of The Happiness Club, the marvellous Jo Howarth. Jo is an advanced hypnotherapist and mindfulness practitioner who helps people look after their mental and emotional health on a daily basis. She works in person with schools, organisations and individuals and offers an online resource that supports your mental wellbeing 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, so if you are feeling down or stressed or anxious OR you just want to feel better, The Happiness Club is definitely a place to head for.   Jo is also a guest speaker at the Online Pyjama Party this week, to help celebrate the launch of my book "Could it be your hormones love?" so another opportunity to hear more from her then too or find out more at

It is said that 62% of divorces are instigated by menopausal women, and 73% of women blamed the breakdown of their relationship on their menopausal symptoms. That’s one reason why my new book “Could it be your hormones love? And other questions not to ask a menopausal woman” is an absolute essential for all MEN who need to better understand what is happening during the perimenopause years! However if you are a menopausal woman, with a divorce or separation adding to your stress levels, it can be so difficult to get the support you might need and this week's guest is someone you may want to get to know. Sarah Woodward is a multi-award winning divorce coach, supporting her clients with the emotional and practical challenges of their breakup so that they can Recover, Rebuild and Reclaim a future they're excited to wake up to where they feel happier and stronger than ever before. It is her mission to empower her clients to believe that there is life after divorce and to embrace this next chapter. She is also a Certified Positive Psychology Coach and Narcissism Trained™️ Coach with additional training to support clients who are in abusive relationships. Hope you find it useful.

As we approach Menopause Awareness Day here in the UK, it is ironic to note THREE recent employment tribunal cases with menopause symptoms at the root. The cost of NOT training managers is obvious, and not only is the compensation and legal costs significant, but also the potential damage to your reputation as a business and an employer. In this week's episode I share details of these cases, along with a very useful and simple list of things that organisations need to be doing to protect their reputation, support and signpost employees and help managers to be the very best they can be. There is also an invitation to a pyjama party in their too and details of a new book launch that every MAN needs to buy!

It can come as a surprise for many previously confident midlife, menopausal women to find themselves doubting, questioning, over-thinking and even shrinking into the shadows.    Perhaps body image isn’t as good as it once was, self talk feels more negative, looking in the mirror leaves us feeling disappointed or even finding clothes no longer fit nor flatter!    Siân Fisher is on a mission to help women feel truly confident about themselves inside and out. As a confidence coach and personal stylist Siân knows that when you feel confident you can achieve anything, and your brilliance shines out like the star you are.    Listen in to our conversation and get ready to shine bright once more!

This month is both World Mental Health Day and Menopause Awareness Month so the perfect time for me to share with you a really useful conversation about a time when both of these issues collided and had me looking for a way out, permanently. I made a promise to the Universe that if I survived, I would use my experience to help others navigate the abyss that I had peered into, and so the work that I do now focuses particularly on menopause, mental health and the increased suicide risk at this time. In this episode I will share a little more about my story and also share with you some exciting news about getting other people involved in conversations about this, so that together we can make sure our women get the help they need - whether you are a manager, mate, partner or husband - this episode is useful for YOU too!

Are you a Good Girl? Are you happy being a Good Girl, if so? This week I am chatting with the always wonderful Michelle Minnikin who specialises in empowering her clients to embrace their power and personal agency.   With over 20 years of experience as an Organisational Psychologist, her coaching approach blends positive psychology, personal development, and her own journey with ADHD, fostering self-acceptance and empowering clients to break free from societal expectations.    Through her upcoming book, "Good Girl Deprogramming," she aims to inspire women to ignite their own rebellions and create a world that embraces authenticity and empowerment for everyone. Settle down and tune in!

Talking today to Sara Hope, whose passion for conversations is as strong as mine, and over the years she has helped leaders to gain clarity, awareness of self, and overcome challenges. She has worked with thousands of leaders across multiple organisations to bring more candour and a human touch to their interactions, be it with clients, customers, colleagues, or their teams. She passionately believes in the importance of growing conversational muscle, as it strengthens employee engagement, reduces time spent on projects, and reinforces connectivity; something we all crave. She is an ideal guest for a Really Useful Conversation and I do hope you will enjoy listening in. You can find out more about her and the work she does at   Guest information Website: Email:

European research tells us that women of the perimenopausal age are as much as 7 times more likely to have thoughts of suicide than women pre or post menopause. Why is this? In this episode I explain why the fluctuation in hormones during this period of our lives can impact both our mental health and brain health, and how those two factors can lead on to an increase in diagnosis of anxiety, depression and other mental health disorders, as well as the difference between clinical depression and hormonal depression that is currently being investigated in research in the UK. It is important that we are aware that menopause is not all about hot flushes and night sweats and that we are informed and aware of the other impacts that declining hormones can have. Please do share this episode and help me get the word out to as many people as possible? Conversations can change and save lives.

Conversations can change and even save lives. They can inspire, enthuse, educate and motivate and as we launch Season 3, I hope you’ll find a golden nugget within each episode. Whether Confident Conversations or Crucial Conversations or simply a Caring Conversation, they can make or break relationships, improve standards, increase performance and instigate change. What really useful conversations do you need to be having?

What is it they say about the best laid plans of mice and men? Unless it is the Three Blind Mice or the Three Wise Men and I have missed a chapter, it is something to do with however carefully you plan, things can still go wrong, right? And things did, which led me to being AWOL - so no talk of conversations of any kind, useful or otherwise! Give me just 5 minutes of your time and let me explain ....