Personal & Professional Development

If you've arrived at Professionelle, well, you're clearly taking an active interest in your own personal and professional development.  This is what this site is all about!

As you can see most of our themes are about this very broad topic.  But, from time to time we have articles that don't necessarily fit squarely in any given theme, and that's were you'll find them.

Here, you'll find articles on far ranging development issues from how to get airtime in meetings, to book reviews of research-based 'self-help' books that have the potential of really making a difference to your development.  Sarah's personal favorite is 'Learned Optimism' read her review to find out why,  

We, at Professionelle, pride ourselves on having content that is relevant and timely.   As one of our members told us:

"I rate you site highly.  It is very professional, the information is very relevant and helped me make the decision to change my work model!"

We hope you agree.

Latest articles

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  • 02 November 2011 By Sarah Wilshaw-Sparkes Comments: 1
    10 Authentic Ways to Self-Promotion

    Many professional women we know shy away from self-promotion: they feel it's all trumpet blowing and in-your-face crassness. Yet self promotion is crucial for career success, so are there any ways to get the job done that feel authentic to professional women?

  • 16 July 2011 By Sally Mabelle, the 'Voice of Leadership' specialist Comments: 1
    How Being Assertive Can Save Your Life!

    Have you ever stopped to consider that your speaking up, particularly to your bosses, could mean the difference between success and failure? As highlighted in these examples, you should never underestimate the power of assertiveness. The price of diffidence can be appallingly high.

  • 20 June 2011 By Galia BarHava-Monteith Comments: 4
    Is BUSY the new status symbol?

    The socially acceptable answer to 'how are you?' has mysteriously become 'I am soooooo busy'. Is this apparently permanent state of busyness a good thing though?

  • 05 June 2011 By Dr Jane Freeman and Teresa Watson, MNZCCP Comments: 1
    Managing Difficult Employees

    Tearing your hair out over an employee or colleague who is behaving as if they are in the sandpit rather than the boardroom? Ever wondered why people behave badly at work? This advice from Psychs in the City could be just what you're looking for!

  • 06 May 2011 By Galia BarHava-Monteith Comments: 5
    Balancing the Yin and Yang

    As you advance in organisations you're pushed to become more masculine, yet in ‘socially acceptable ways. It's one of the constant pressures on you to adapt your behaviour in order to fit in better. But what is the price of losing sight of our more feminine side, and what are the rewards and benefits of celebrating it?

  • 24 April 2011 By Sarah Wilshaw-Sparkes Comments: 1
    Stress Less by Thea Singer - a Book Review

    Stress Less is based on ground breaking research into the links between human stress and the ageing in our cells. This fascinating read is about the science of stress and the ways we can slow - perhaps even reverse - that ageing process.

  • 07 April 2011 By Sarah Wilshaw-Sparkes Comments: 2
    Two Mindsets - Which is Yours?

    Do you think your abilities and intelligence are largely fixed? Or do you believe people have the potential to get better and better, with practice and training, even if they're not blessed with talent? Sarah reviews a book that explores how our beliefs about improvement impact on our achievements and happiness - and coaches us to a 'growth' mindset.

  • 28 March 2011 By Sarah Wilshaw-Sparkes Comments: 3
    A Journey into Self Awareness

    Sarah reviews her experiences and the valuable insights she gained at Freefall's 3 day personal development seminar that she recently attended.

  • 10 March 2011 By Gabriele Wehler of Clarity Coaching Comments: 0
    Working Mothers' Stress

    You’re a working mother: intelligent, hard working, busy and successful - so why do you feel so bad about it? Gabriele advises how to manage the stress and guilt that so often accompany combining two important and fulfulling roles

  • 22 February 2011 By Galia BarHava-Monteith Comments: 2
    Mistakes were Made (But Not by ME!)

    This book is all about cognitive dissonance. That's the almost physical discomfort we feel when we find ourselves holding a belief that conflicts with our behaviour. It leads to self justification and selective blindness about the fairness and wisdom of our actions.