The People Factor

Interesting when we have the tools but haven't used them...

I had the pleasure of spending some time with Congresbury FC on Saturday before their match. We had done some work together on mindset earlier in the season and from that created a Team Charter.

However, this charter hadn't been used. We had created a tool designed to help performances both individually and as a team, but it was left out.

Performances have been amazing one week, and quite forgettable the next. However all the while Congresbury are a great team capable of competing against the best in the league. So what is it that makes the difference in performance? Self-belief? Mindset?

The session on Saturday was about dusting off a tool that is designed to help keep the players laser beam focused and resilient. In this charter one of my favourite sections is about maintaining high minimum standards, I just loved that!

We reminded ourselves about controlling the things we can control, and accepting the things we cannot. We discussed not thinking about the score line, but on our performance alone. To maintain our personal high standards and expect the same from our teammates.

To a man, they played the subsequent match with high standards against a team challenging for promotion. Every one played their part to very high standards and out of interest it ended 1-1. Everyone on the side-lines were full of praise for a performance we all know they can deliver every week. The way in which they played was what the supporters were pleased with, the result was a bonus.

Afterwards it turned out that they were really annoyed because they didn't win the match, this really taught me something about winning mentality and the players know that if they play this way every time they take to the pitch they will be there of there about. Personally I was really proud to see their self improvements in that game, maybe there is something to mindset awareness after all!

There are so many teams out there who would benefit from the training sessions I offer. We work as teams right now on fitness and strength, as well as skills, tactics and technique!

Why is mindset not on top of this list? We all know that if we go in with the right attitude that we give ourselves the best chance. Get in touch with me to see how I can help your team.

A little preview into some of the work that has been going on over the last 6 months. Everyone has a book in them so I have heard, and I wanted to put that to the test. If we have made decisions to protect ourselves in the event of something unwelcome happening, then we can cope better in the wake of it!

If we have not taken any action to limit damage when things go wrong then perhaps a guide may help us through challenging times. This is my guide to you, albeit there is much to do before it comes out. What I hope for is that you take a moment to consider how a life changing event may upset your life, and if there are any steps available to you now before these unthinkable things occur.

This book uses what happened to me in 2025, and how it might have been different if I had made different choices.

I have been very lucky to have started working on the People Factor, and helping to build effective teams. I have decided to write alongside teambuilding as I hope to learn new skills to pass along to my clients and their supporting colleagues.

Here is a gentle reminder that if you or your team could benefit from a chat about how The People Factor can help, please reach out and ask.

Building Better Teams Through Communication & Psychological Safety

This week, I had the privilege of presenting to over 80 delegates on one of my favourite topics — effective communication and how it underpins high-performing, psychologically safe teams.

We explored how open dialogue, a just culture, and the right attitude can transform workplace relationships — turning communication from a daily challenge into a genuine driver of trust, collaboration, and performance.

The feedback was fantastic, with delegates describing the session as:

“Engaging, thought-provoking, and immediately useful.”

Hearing that reinforces why I do what I do — helping teams communicate better, feel safer to speak up, and ultimately perform at their best.

If your organisation is ready to strengthen its culture and build teams that truly work well together, I’d love to help make that happen. Hopefully these results speak for themselves.

Cracking day today with a great mate! 80 delegates at a packed seminar filled with eager professionals looking to improve and enhance their communication skills.

Even managed to facilitate some interaction as well!

The time flew by and I was delighted to read the feedback from the session! Onwards to the next team needing to find that missing piece.

Could be your team?

Just ask x

🌀 Groundhog Day at Work? Break the Loop with Vu Ja De

Ever feel like your team is stuck in a loop? Same meetings. Same outcomes. Same frustrations. It’s the Groundhog Day effect—repetition without reinvention.

But what if we flipped the script?

Enter vu ja de: the mindset of seeing the familiar as if for the first time. It’s not just poetic—it’s powerful.

🔍 Why Vu Ja De Matters in Teams:

It challenges assumptions that keep us stuck.

It invites curiosity into routine.

It transforms feedback from a chore into a catalyst.

🛠️ Build in Reviews That Spark Innovation:

Make reflection a habit, not a reaction.

Ask “What’s changed?” as well as “What went wrong?”

Use reviews to reframe, not just refine.

💡 The Best Breakthroughs Don’t Come From Doing More—They Come From Seeing Differently.

So next time your team hits a wall, don’t push harder. Step back. Look again. Because the loop only breaks when someone dares to see it differently.

www.thepeoplefactor.co.uk

🎵 Leadership Lessons from a Record Player

A record spins. The stylus settles into its groove. The sound is warm, familiar, steady. Everything works — until it doesn’t.

A scratch.
A bump.
Suddenly, the needle jumps. The music stutters or stops altogether.

Now what?

A reactive leader might push harder, trying to force the stylus back into place.
But an adaptive leader? They pause. Listen. Learn. Adjust.

Because sometimes, the problem isn’t just the scratch — it’s the system. And sometimes, it’s not about forcing the old track to play smoother… it's about changing the way we play the music.

🎧 Enter: new tools, new systems, new thinking.

Maybe it’s time to upgrade from vinyl to streaming? Not because the old ways weren’t valuable — but because times change, and great leaders evolve with them.

💡 Adaptive leadership is about more than responding to problems — it’s about anticipating change, being open to new approaches, and helping your team grow beyond the familiar.

In a fast-moving world, resilience comes from flexibility. Progress comes from innovation.

🔁 The best leaders don’t just keep the music going — they change the soundtrack entirely when the moment calls for it. We are cued up ready to help you play your next track, ask us .co.uk how we can help.

Focus Forward: The Road Ahead is Yours!

We all know that life is full of twists, turns, and bumps in the road. It's easy to get caught up in the rear view mirror—thinking about past choices, regrets, or moments that didn’t go as planned. But just like driving a car, the rear view mirror serves a specific purpose: to glance back for context, not to stay fixed on what’s behind us.

If we spend too much time staring at the past, we risk missing the opportunities right in front of us. The windscreen—the large, clear view ahead—reminds us that our journey is about what's to come, not where we've been.

Yes, our experiences shape us and provide valuable lessons, but they don't define the road ahead. Every decision, every lesson learned, is a stepping stone that helps guide our path forward. We can glance back for insight, but we must always be ready to shift our focus toward the horizon.

So let go of past setbacks, embrace the lessons, and trust that your future holds so much more. The big picture is unfolding with each new day, and it's yours for the taking.

That is why the People Factor exists, to help teams focus on what's important. We remember where we have come from to know how far we have come, then its on to the next opportunity! Get in touch to find out how we make this possible for the teams we join.

www.thepeoplefactor.co.uk

Absolutely blown away by this amazing gift from Congresbury FC

Thank you so much, I really didn’t expect anything other than to see you rise to new heights. I am truly touched, thank you.

Fantastic Evening with Congresbury First Team last night. Wide ranging conversations about our experiences to date about what makes us, well us! We felt psychologically safe to bring up all kind of life challenges, and to share our stories. Congresbury FC is a fantastic club with a fantastic culture, they just needed reminding how good they are!

With the right mind-set this team can go far!