If I asked you to describe your personal values you might share a few words you try to live your life by. For most of us this is an easy task. Our values are important to us.

When you want to make a change, think carefully about why you’re doing it. The greater the emotional connection you have to the change, the better. Be super clear in your mind about what the change looks, feels, and sounds like.

How do you feel about planning? Are you on-it organised or more of a free-flyer? Do you make a plan and keep referring to it? Or do you start with the best intentions and gradually lose focus?

As the year draws to its festive conclusion, it’s natural to look forward and make plans, perhaps think about a change of role or career direction. And this year it feels like the wave of change in the job market is stronger than ever.

Imagine you’ve just started a fabulous new job. You’re feeling super enthusiastic about it, and potentially a little bit anxious in anticipation of what’s ahead.

What words come to mind when you look at these two leaders? What characteristics do they have that make them stand out to you as a great leader? What kind of legacy do you think will leave behind?

Exceptional service creates a lasting impression. It puts a spring in the customer’s step and makes you stand out from your competitors.

True professionals take ownership of their personal development, making sure their skills, knowledge and behaviour are up to date. Dedicating time to training and development can be tricky and finding budget sometimes even more so.

Building personal connections with your customers drives loyalty and recommendation. In turn, this contributes to business success and provides job security.

I’ve had some great roles in my career as a Hotel Manager and Learning and Development Manager in some amazing organisations. The businesses that were most successful were always super clear about their aspirations for any development programme.

Sometimes we’re not honest with ourselves because we know deep down that to get the results we want it’s going to take time and discipline to make it happen. The word discipline has painful connotations - discipline hurts!

I’ve never forgotten about it or how it made me feel. This person’s behaviour had a lasting impact on me. It’s made me more cautious around him. I’m perhaps not as open with him as I would be with others.

The concept that it takes time to do a job properly is nothing new, however knowing it and doing it are two very separate things. Sometimes we need a little reminder to refocus.

It’s time to celebrate the fact that we got through this weird and challenging year. It’s time to celebrate the silver linings of 2020. Sally looks back at the highlights and achievements of a difficult year.

Nurturing people and caring for their health and wellbeing is a key focus - more so now than ever before. Creating a set of core values and living these every day helps you and your team to do the right thing.

It’s been an absolute privilege to build Zest for Life over the last decade. I always tell the people and organisations I work with to reflect on, and celebrate, their successes, so today I am practising what I preach.

Clarity is so important. You only need look to the sketchy government guidelines on the wearing of face masks to understand exactly how important. Lack of clarity leads to uncertainty - and further questions.

To develop your team and identify their training needs, you need to spend time with them. Focus on their ambitions. Every individual has the potential to grow and develop into a more senior role or to upskill and move into a new area.

With many teams furloughed or working remotely, a lack of personal contact with a team leader can make difficulties harder for leaders to spot. How can you be sure that your employees are coping?

If you’re managing or leading a team in these difficult times, try to give people the time, space and support they need to grasp their new way of working. If people are struggling with working conditions, systems or processes, show patience and offer assistance where they need it.