Team Performance and Morale

People don’t leave good leaders. They leave poor environments. Training your team isn’t just about teaching skills - it’s about building trust, empowerment, and loyalty. I've always heard this famous quote, but I never had the opportunity to really see it in action with the man himself. Earlier this year, I had the privilege of visiting Necker Island, where I saw how Richard Branson really implements this. His team members are not just employees; they’re trusted partners. Everyone - from the chefs to the activity guides - were highly skilled, deeply engaged, and treated each other (and customers) with genuine respect. The environment was vibrant and fun - you’d often find Richard playing chess or tennis with his staff. It’s a perfect example of what happens when you train your people well, create a culture of care, and treat them as equals. I hear from some leaders that they have no budget and this isn't possible. But even if budgets are tight, you can still create this culture. It could be as simple as: ↳ Taking advantage of free online training platforms or in-house knowledge sharing ↳ Document and update your team’s SOPs - capturing wisdom for everyone to learn from ↳ Encourage mentorship and experience-sharing across roles When people feel invested in, they’ll give their best back. 👉 How do you help keep your team happy? ♻️ Share this post to inspire other leaders. 🔔 Follow me, Jen Blandos, for actionable daily insights on business, entrepreneurship, and workplace well-being.

The charity sector’s best kept secret when it comes to digital support? 🤫 It’s not one thing - it’s a network. The Network of Non-Profit Digital Support - convened by CAST Centre for the Acceleration of Social Technology and funded by Esmée Fairbairn Foundation - quietly brings together some of the most impactful digital initiatives in the UK. Whether you need 👇 - bite-sized training and webinars - help finding a digital partner - one-to-one consultations - or simply a friendly sounding board …this collective exists to make sure charities can access the right digital support, at the right time. Here’s what sits under the umbrella: Digital Candle 🕯️ Free one-to-one calls with digital experts to answer your charity’s toughest questions. Reuse Infrastructure 🔄 Connecting non-profits with affordable, repurposed tech and cloud solutions. Digital Trustees 🧑⚖️ Matching boards with digital professionals to bring vital skills into governance. Design Hops 🎨 Short, practical programmes to help charities solve challenges using design thinking. The Curve 📈 Free, hands-on live training sessions to build digital confidence and skills. Dovetail 🧩 A platform to help charities find the right digital agencies and freelancers. Digital Leads Network 🤝 Peer support and community for people leading digital inside charities. Agencies For Good 🌍 A network of mission-aligned agencies collaborating to support the sector. The Network is making it easier for non-profits to adopt the tools, approaches and mindsets they need to thrive. The best part: it’s all free. P.S. If you’re Scotland-based, don’t forget SCVO (Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations)’s digital guides and support too - AI, cyber security and beyond. ❓ What's your favourite free third sector digital, data or design resource? Self-promotion completely welcome 👇

𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠? 𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐨𝐨. 😬 But I turned that fear into my superpower — and you can too. 🦹 Next month alone, I’m speaking at 13 events, including the University of California, Berkeley, Pear VC, HBS Women's Association, Plug and Play Tech Center, and Ubiquity Ventures. In the past few months, I’ve spoken at Amazon AWS GenAI, Product Leadership Summit, Maven, Guild, and more — some paid, some unpaid; all on topics I deeply care about and have knowledge of and to the audiences that are eager for my thoughts. Now here's the truth: English is my second language. 😍 I came to the U.S. for undergrad, and early in my career, public speaking felt impossible. I vividly remember my first college speech class 🤯 — it took me dozens of tries to deliver a single paragraph. I wasn’t good. Not even close. 🫣 But I had two things: 🔹 An obsession with growth 🔹 A commitment to excellence I wanted to share my ideas with the world — and I refused to let fear or language barriers stop me. ✋ Today, I give keynotes to packed rooms. It feels energizing, even effortless. But behind that “ease” is 20+ years of hard work and hard-won lessons. Here are 5 lessons that helped me become a confident, powerful speaker, especially for those who feel like they’re not “naturals”: 🗣️ 1. 𝐈𝐭'𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡 (or any language)- It's about clear ideas. People don’t remember grammar; they remember impact. Be clear! Be authentic! Say something that matters. 🧘♀️ 2. 𝐍𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐥 - use them as fuel. Even the best speakers get butterflies 🦋. Don’t suppress the nerves — channel them into energy and presence. 📚 3. 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭 - No one’s born a great speaker. You become one by showing up, over and over again. Speak in meetings, on panels, in small rooms or big ones — every rep counts. 🪞 4. 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 - Watch it. Learn. Grow. It’s awkward — but incredibly effective. You’ll catch your filler words, pacing, and habits that you’d never notice otherwise. 💬 5. 𝐓𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬, 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐬 - People only remember your stories. Data informs. Stories move. Research shows that people forget data but remember the stories. ❓What's been your experience with public speaking? ❓Do you fear it or are you fueled by it? 👉 If you've gotten better with public speaking over time, share your experiences with others below, so they can learn from you. 👉 Share your reaction to this conversation and experiences with public speaking below. #publicspeaking #keynote

Ever stumble so bad you questioned your own footsteps? 🦶🏻 This brings me back to 2014 when I had just started out in the speaking circuit and I had to "stand in" for one of my mentor trainers. I was not familiar with the content yet pumped with bravado, I said "yes". Only to realize that I had failed to engage the pharmaceutical client and the team of A-type sales professionals. It was a disaster. The audience was disengaged and disinterested -- half of them walked out on me and the remaining half probably stayed on out of sympathy or were on their phones. After the session, I rang the client, apologized, and told them I would refund them the training fees in full. It was at that time I questioned myself if I had gone far ahead of myself. Have you failed that badly at your career before too? Thankfully I hadn't given up and since then, I've had the privilege to present to over 60,000 audiences across 19 cities and counting. One of the biggest misconceptions about professional speakers is that people think we are just paid to... talk for that one hour or two. After being paid to teach and speak over the past 8 years, this is what I realized about professional speaking: → It's "connection" before "content". You may have 128 slides of content prepared but if you fail to connect with your audience and build relevance, your content will not "stick". Build empathy with the right anecdotes and frames, and better still, vocalize their inner dialogue when it comes to your presentation topic. Be interested in them, not just trying to be "interesting" to them. → It's "conviction" before "action". The best speakers are oftentimes living and breathing epitomes of what they preach - they walk their talk. You can't move your audience into action if you are just a theorist. It is important to dig deeper within and ask what makes it so important for your audience to leave your speech being inspired to do something. What's at stake? → It's "audience" before "self". Learn and know intimately who your audience is, what are their dreams and fears, language they use, examples and stories they relate with. You are only a vessel and messenger. So don't make the speech all about yourself - let your audience learn "through you". This way, you also put the focus on them and less on yourself, hence reducing anxiety. → Watch yourself -- in all aspects of it. But what I'm referring to mostly is to invest time and energy to record and watch your own speech. It can be a painful and awkward experience for many but when you listen and watch yourself, you gain a deeper appreciation of your style, persona, strengths, quirks, and blindspots to then become better. -- These perspectives and frames have helped me as a global speaker and teacher. Can you relate to what I shared? Might you have anything else to add? #topofmind #professionalspeaking #publicspeaking

Networking isn't just about making connections; it's about creating value for those in your network. A common mistake is to reach out to connections only when you need something. Instead, focus on contributing to your network first. Share useful content, offer help, and make introductions that benefit others. For example, when you connect with someone, research their role and challenges. Share relevant articles or insights that might help them. Ask, "How can I help you?" This simple question can go a long way in building trust and fostering meaningful relationships. Making introductions within your network can also be incredibly valuable and appreciated. Starting early and consistently offering value builds a solid foundation for your network. Your posts, thoughts, and advice not only enrich your connections but also position you as a valuable resource. By focusing on creating value first, you build stronger, more meaningful connections over time. What strategies have you used to provide value to your network? #Networking#ValueCreation #TechLeadership

Is your team ready to close the year strong and kickstart 2025 with resilience? As the year comes to a wrap, many organizations and individuals are feeling the weight of accumulated stress, uncertainty, and the challenges of adapting to constant change. Whether you’re planning an end-of-year event, a team retreat, or a kickoff for the next year, now is the ideal time to re-energize your teams and equip them with the tools to thrive amid challenges. 💪 Here are three key areas to focus on for your teams: 1. Reflect on the Year’s Experiences Encourage your team to take a moment to look back on their experiences this year — what went well and what could be improved. This reflection is crucial for gaining insights, learning from challenges, and building a resilient outlook for the future. 2. Recharge and Motivate Provide opportunities for your team to recharge. Helping them acknowledge their emotions and reframe stressors can shift their perspective and energize them, preparing them to move forward with a positive mindset. 3. Build a Culture of Support and Connection Foster a sense of community within your teams. Creating space for open dialogue and support helps individuals feel valued and connected, which is essential for building a collaborative environment where everyone feels supported to navigate challenges together. Looking to empower your team further? ✨ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- About My Keynote My keynote is designed to help teams reflect on the year’s challenges, motivating attendees, helping them recharge, and setting a positive tone for the year ahead. Over 80% of attendees reported lower stress levels within just one hour of my session! 🌟 Imagine your teams finishing the year strong and entering the new year with renewed energy, focus, and determination. My speech is engaging and practical, allowing the audience to apply their learnings immediately to their stressors at each stage of the C.A.R.E. framework. This, combined with my inspiring and empathetic delivery, sets my keynote apart, drawing from my extensive HR corporate experience. Are you ready to transform your team's approach to stress and resilience? Let’s connect and explore how we can make this year-end a powerful launchpad for the future! #resilience #stressmanagement #motivation

Traditional “carrot-and-stick” incentives can spur effort but often backfire through burnout, gaming, and turnover. By instead lowering the felt cost of effort—helping employees link their day-to-day tasks to a personal sense of purpose—this experiment led to: 1. Higher overall performance: Low performers either improved or exited, lifting team averages. 2. Narrowed gender gaps: Behaviors like taking parental leave equalized across men and women. 3. Strong ROI: Productivity gains and lower churn outweighed program costs; savings were shared with employees via larger bonuses.

Peer support =/= psychosocial support Although, arguably, peer support is a specific form of psychosocial support, they should not be conflated. While different conceptually and in practice, they are equally important to a holistic mental health support ecosystem; one is not superior to the other and depends on an individual's needs. At the core of effective peer support-oriented interventions is a unique lived experience, and the magic occurs in this pocket of shared challenges. Knowing that someone sees and authentically understands what you're going through is a unique and incredibly powerful form of empathy, an understanding that cannot be taught or manufactured. Beyond this special bond is the ability of peer support workers to use their lived experiences in a meaningful and empowering manner to support the people they're journeying with. The therapeutic relationship is also different and tends to be more equal and collaborative, with both parties learning and working together to move the person being supported forward. So, while peer support is a type of psychosocial support in the sense that it provides elements of psychological and social support, it is also distinct in its utilization of a shared lived experience to derive these benefits. #mentalhealth #psychology #singapore #wellness #linkedin

I've noticed a trend where people listen just to respond, which is far from ideal. Whether in meetings, events, or casual conversations, dealing with people who don’t listen is both challenging and frustrating. I’ve seen this countless times, and I've become adept at recognizing when someone is no longer truly engaged, even if they're physically present. Why does this happen? ➊ Lack of interest ➋ Short attention span ➌ Habit of multitasking ➍ Assuming they already know the answer Whatever the reason, this lack of focus hampers meaningful conversations and leaves others feeling insignificant or unimportant. When you don’t truly understand, how can you connect or find the right solution? ---> Takeaway Listen to genuinely understand what others are saying. This means striving to grasp the speaker's perspective and emotions, not just crafting a response. In workplaces, this kind of listening is transformative. - Leaders who listen understand their teams better. - Teams that listen collaborate more effectively. It's the secret to fostering a supportive and innovative work environment. How to listen to understand? - Be fully present. - Acknowledge the other party's point of view. - Ask open-ended questions to encourage elaboration. - Use emotional intelligence to interpret non-verbal cues, body language, and tone. - Employ pauses and silence to give the other person time to reflect and respond. The benefits of listening to understand are immense: - Fostering empathy - Deepening mutual respect - Building genuine connections - Enhancing problem-solving and collaboration So, the next time you're in a conversation… Stop Trying to Fix Things, Just Listen. You might be surprised by the insights you gain and the connections you build. #Empathy #Communication #Leadership

Lately, I’ve been training myself to intentionally listen to people— to deeply engage and listen. Guess what... It starts with deep concentration. Removing distractions— both external (all the noise around you) and internal (those overpowering thoughts that try to hold onto your opinion). That internal noise can almost drown out the words of the person you're talking to. Deep concentration is the foundation. Empathy is the second—putting yourself in their shoes and seeing things from their perspective. I remind myself, whenever my mind drifts: "LISTEN, LISTEN, LISTEN." "Kunle, listen to her..." Here’s what else has helped me: → Be fully present. Not just hearing words, but giving your full attention. → Reflect and clarify. Ask questions or paraphrase to ensure understanding. → Hold back judgment. Don’t rush to offer your opinion or solutions. → Give non-verbal feedback. A nod or "I see" signals you’re there. The more I practice this, the better the connections I make. Active listening isn’t just about words. It’s about understanding. ↳ Deep concentration. ↳ Empathy. ↳ Patience. === 📩 Subscribe to the Conscious Commerce newsletter for more insights on: commerce + wellness + leadership ↳ Delivered every Tuesday → subscribe.2xecommerce.com