Have you ever witnessed disrespectful behaviour at work and later thought, “Why didn’t I say something?” You’re not alone — and you’re not the problem. This blog unpacks the workplace bystander challenge, the hidden cost of silence, and why speaking up isn’t about courage but about learnable skills.

Vulnerability builds trust, yet many leaders feel they need to hide their struggles to appear strong. Read the case study of how one leader transformed a disconnected team by simply letting his guard down, plus get six actionable tips to help you lead with authenticity.

Ever seen grown adults storm out of a workshop… over cake? 🍰 Meet Poor Paula — left out of a birthday celebration and in tears. Sounds small, but exclusion hurts. Literally. Neuroscience shows “social pain” activates the same brain regions as physical pain. So how do we stop creating it at work? Start with curiosity, connection, and belonging — because it’s never just about the cake.

Not all connections are created equal. Some fill your cup, others quietly drain it. In this blog, we explore how a simple relationship audit can help you identify which relationships add value, which drain energy, and how to invest intentionally in connections that truly support your growth and wellbeing.

The feeling of exclusion, of being left out, is real pain! Cast your mind to my experience as an 8-year-old schoolgirl being left out of lunchtime sport. Neuroscientists have labelled the feelings of isolation, rejection, and exclusion as 'social pain'. The same part of the brain that activates when we feel physical pain lights up when we experience social pain. To us social beings, us humans: social pain is real pain.