Positively Leading

A leader’s guide to a calm and restorative holiday season

As we hurtle towards the holiday season and 2023 comes to a close, it's not uncommon for many of us to feel the weight of exhaustion and stress with so many events in the school calendar. That’s before you even think about the amount of presents to buy and wrap, cooking the perfect Christmas dinner, or the expectations of spending time with family. 
 
The do-to list seems never-ending!
 
Think honestly, do you take the time out you need and deserve over the Christmas period to truly unwind and recharge? How do you typically handle the expectations and pressures that the holiday season brings?
 
In this episode I share seven powerful strategies for a restorative Christmas season. From setting effective boundaries to creating your personal restoration toolkit, these tips will help you keep calm and rejuvenate during the holidays. If you’re feeling the pre-Christmas frenzy already then this episode is for you!
 
Give yourself a Christmas present as a leader and in life more generally - prioritise your self-care and find ways to nourish yourself during your well-earned Christmas break. 
 
Wishing you a wonderful holiday season and all the best for 2024! 
 
Dr. Sarah Howling
 
Let’s keep the conversation going! Find me at:
Website: sarahhowling.comLI: @drsrahhowling
IG: @leadwithdrsarahFB: @drsarahhowling

Embracing Gratitude: 7 strategies to enhance wellbeing for yourself and your team

What’s one thing that you’re grateful for today? Do you know your favourite ways to practise gratitude? Have you ever tried to cultivate gratitude within your team or organisation? 
 
Gratitude can transform and significantly impact our well-being, resilience and leadership. It really is a superpower in leadership and life!
 
In this episode, we’re exploring the core components of gratitude, the transformational impact that regularly practising gratitude has, and 7 super easy-to-implement strategies to get you started (or try something new) with your personal gratitude practice. There are also some practical ideas to help you develop gratitude within your team or organisation.
 
Tune in to discover the profound benefits of gratitude and how it can enhance both your personal and professional life.
 
I’m grateful that you have joined me for today’s episode. Keep on positively leading! 
 
Dr. Sarah Howling
 
Let’s keep the conversation going! Find me at:
Website: sarahhowling.comLI: @drsrahhowling
IG: @leadwithdrsarahFB: @drsarahhowling

Overcoming imposter syndrome: strategies for success

Have you ever felt like you don’t belong? Or had the feeling that everyone is so much smarter than you, or you’ll never be good enough to deserve something? Maybe you’re worried your colleagues are going to discover you’re a fraud?
If you answered yes to some or all of these, then you might be experiencing imposter syndrome, or, at the very least, an unhealthy dose of self-doubt. 
If so, you’re in good company because an estimated 70% of people experience these sorts of feelings at some point in their lives!
In today’s episode we’re taking a deep dive into imposter syndrome and how to overcome it. 
You’ll discover: 
What imposter syndrome is, what can trigger it, and the damaging impact it can have 
3 powerful strategies to overcome it.
Keep on positively leading! 
Dr. Sarah Howling
 
Let’s keep the conversation going! Find me at:
Website: sarahhowling.comLI: @drsrahhowling
IG: @leadwithdrsarahFB: @drsarahhowling
 
Resources:
The book mentioned is: Ditching Imposter Syndrome by Clare Josa

Unlock the 6 secrets to successful change management

Change can be challenging, whether it's on a personal or organisational level. But by understanding the inner workings of our brains, we can make small adjustments to the way we approach change and achieve better results. Neuroscience and behavioural psychology offer us new perspectives, allowing us to better understand people's motivations and how to effectively lead and engage individuals. It is not just about soft skills, but about scientifically proven strategies that can drive success.
In this practical and easy-to-implement episode, I'll be discussing why change is difficult and introducing the six change muscles that we can develop to navigate change better. I'll also provide insights into why these muscles are important and strategies to strengthen them.
Join me as we uncover the secrets to building change resilience and thriving in times of uncertainty. It's time to make those tiny tweaks that will transform your approach to change. 
So let's dive in and start Positively Leading our way through change. 
Dr. Sarah Howling
Let’s keep the conversation going! Find me at:
Website: sarahhowling.comLI: @drsrahhowling
IG: @leadwithdrsarahFB: @drsarahhowling

How to thrive through change: 10 Top Tips

Change is unavoidable - whether it’s in our professional or personal lives. It can be hard and can seem even harder when we haven’t asked for it, we don’t want it, and feel like we have limited control.
Fortunately, there are ways to get better at change, and that’s our focus in today’s episode as I share my 10 top tips to help you not only survive change, but thrive through the process. 
Tune in to discover how to navigate through uncertainty and embrace change with greater confidence and resilience.
Keep on Positively Leading,
Dr. Sarah Howling
 
Let’s keep the conversation going! Find me at:
Website: sarahhowling.comLI: @drsrahhowling
IG: @leadwithdrsarahFB: @drsarahhowling
 
Resources:
The book mentioned is “How To Survive Change You Didn't Ask For: Bounce Back, Find Calm in Chaos, and Reinvent Yourself” by M. J. Ryan.

How to manage your emotions in difficult conversations: strategies to stay calm and collected

In this episode, I answer one of the most frequently asked questions: How can I manage my emotions in a difficult conversation?
If you’ve ever found yourself in the middle of a tough conversation with emotions running high, and you weren’t sure why or what to do about it (and well, let’s face it, haven’t we all?) then this episode is for you. 
Tune in to:
Understand the core reasons that make conversations challenging.
Learn how to prepare for courageous conversations.
Discover three effective strategies for managing emotions in the moment.
Keep on Positively Leading,
Dr. Sarah Howling
Let’s keep the conversation going! Find me at:
Website: sarahhowling.comLI: @drsrahhowling
IG: @leadwithdrsarahFB: @drsarahhowling

Strengths-based Leadership: boost wellbeing, inclusion, and performance in your team

Are you looking to boost wellbeing, inclusion and performance in your team? Well, taking a strengths-based approach could be just what you need because understanding and utilising strengths can create a ripple effect of positive emotions, better teamwork, and enhanced performance. 
In this episode you’ll gain valuable tools and strategies for using strengths effectively with your team. I cover: 
The benefits of using strengths at work and with your team
How to uncover your team’s strengths 
A few important pitfalls to avoid
5 different ways you can use strengths to boost wellbeing, inclusion and performance in your team 
If you’re ready to harness the power of strengths to transform your leadership approach and your team’s positivity, productivity and performance, then this episode is for you.
Keep on Positively Leading,
Dr. Sarah Howling
 
Let’s keep the conversation going! Find me at:
Website: sarahhowling.comLI: @drsrahhowling
IG: @leadwithdrsarahFB: @drsarahhowling
Resources:
Books 
Harzer, C., & Ruch, W. (2012). When the job is a calling: The role of applying one's signature strengths at work. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 7(5), 362-371.
Niemiec, R. M. (2018). Character strengths interventions: A field guide for practitioners
Hutchinson, E., & Brown, C. (2021). The strengths-based organization: How to boost inclusivity, wellbeing and performance. Practical Inspiration Publishing.
Strengths Assessments
https://www.viacharacter.org/
https://www.gallup.com/cliftonstrengths/en/home.aspx
https://www.strengthsprofile.com/

Uncover your strengths and thrive in leadership and life

We’re often so focused on what we need to do to improve that we don’t recognise our own strengths and what we do well. 
 
Rather than focusing on what’s wrong or what could be better, a strengths-based approach focuses on what is right, what is working, and what is already strong so that you can use the best parts of yourself to overcome challenges, build resilience, and thrive.
 
But how do you discover and build upon your strengths? And how do you inspire others to do the same? These are the questions we’ll be exploring today and in next week’s episode too.
 
Specifically today, I will: 
Unpack what strengths are and clarify some common misconceptions
Share the benefits of a strengths-based approach 
Offer two different ways in which you can discover your strengths – with strategies and resources
Suggest 3 ways you can use and develop your strengths in leadership and life
 
Tune in and discover how to ignite your strengths and thrive in leadership and life. 
 
Keep on Positively Leading,
Dr. Sarah Howling
 
Let’s keep the conversation going! Find me at:
Website: sarahhowling.comLI: @drsrahhowling
IG: @leadwithdrsarahFB: @drsarahhowling
 
Resources:
Books 
Hutchinson, E., & Brown, C. (2021). The strengths-based organization: How to boost inclusivity, wellbeing and performance. Practical Inspiration Publishing.
Niemiec, R. M. (2018). Character strengths interventions: A field guide for practitioners.
Strengths Assessments
https://www.viacharacter.org/
https://www.gallup.com/cliftonstrengths/en/home.aspx
https://www.strengthsprofile.com/
 

Building a feedback-rich culture: 6 strategies for success

Feedback is a superpower allowing for open, honest and kind conversations, which fuels relationships, learning, and performance. 
 
But to be effective, feedback must be part of your culture. Let’s explore how to make it happen. In today’s episode we will:
 
Explore why a culture of feedback is needed for learning, growth, and performance
Discover 6 ways to build a fabulous feedback-rich environment
 
Want to boost morale and performance in your team or school? Tune in and find out how to build a feedback-rich culture. 
 
Keep on Positively Leading,
Dr. Sarah Howling
 
Let’s keep the conversation going! Find me at:
Website: sarahhowling.comLI: @drsrahhowling
IG: @leadwithdrsarahFB: @drsarahhowling

How to get better at receiving feedback – even if you didn’t ask for it, don’t want it, and don’t agree with it!

We know that feedback is essential for healthy relationships and professional growth, but sometimes it can be challenging to receive. This is especially the case if you didn’t ask for it, don’t want it, and you don’t agree with it! 
 
In this episode (the third in a series of four on feedback) we explore how to listen to and process any kind of feedback in a positive, constructive way and use it to help you grow and progress.
 
I’ll cover: 
The three reasons why feedback can be hard to receive 
Two mindset shifts to help you reframe feedback and approach it with a learning mindset
Four tips to help you receive any kind of feedback with grace.
Let’s get better at receiving feedback and keep on Positively Leading!
Dr. Sarah Howling
 
Let’s keep the conversation going! Find me at:
Website: sarahhowling.comLI: @drsrahhowling
IG: @leadwithdrsarahFB: @drsarahhowling
 
Resources:
Book: Thanks for the feedback by Douglas Stone and Sheila Heen