Michelle, Author at Jigsaw Discovery Tool

A tense conversation between two people, one pointing and the other responding defensively illustrating miscommunication and emotional reactions.

Why does everyone seem so easily offended?

by Michelle | November 27, 2025 |

If you’ve scrolled through social media lately, you’ve probably noticed a pattern: people arguing, filming confrontations, and posting them for validation. A supermarket queue, a café order gone wrong, or even a missed greeting can …

Team collaborating on a project around a table, symbolising teamwork, learning and investment in people.

Cutting training is a false economy

by Michelle | November 10, 2025 |

Leadership, Resilience

Why investing in people might be the smartest move in a tightening economy As the Chancellor prepares to announce what many already predict will be an austere Budget, small business owners are holding their breath. Rumours …

Futuristic scene of AI interacting with holographic human figures, symbolising tension between people and technology in the workplace.

Caught between progress and pushback

by Michelle | October 14, 2025 |

Leadership

The pressure to adopt artificial intelligence has moved from a theoretical ambition to a practical demand. Company directors and senior executives, driven by efficiency targets, competitive advantage, and digital transformation strategies, are increasingly looking to …

Workplace empathy shown as team members listen and offer support

Empathy vs Sympathy

by Michelle | September 23, 2025 |

Leadership

We often use the word empathy in workplace conversations, yet it can mean very different things to different people. More critically, it’s often confused with sympathy. That confusion can undermine the very connections we’re trying …

Businesswoman looking stressed during a meeting while colleagues in the background appear relaxed, reflecting different workplace behaviours.

We’re All Different

by Michelle | September 2, 2025 |

Effective Teamwork, Leadership

We’re all different. And herein lies the problem… As a leader or manager, the chances are you’ve felt a quiet pressure from time to time, i.e. the sense that you’re expected to be a coach, mediator, …

The Great Unravelling…

by Michelle | August 19, 2025 |

Leadership

There’s a quietly growing crisis in UK workplaces right now—and it’s not just about productivity or profits. It’s about people. Recent findings suggest that six in ten UK employers have noticed a drop in employee engagement …

Silhouetted person sitting alone at a desk with head bowed — symbolising workplace loneliness and emotional disconnection in a professional setting.

Leadership and Loneliness

by Michelle | August 6, 2025 |

Leadership

Are you missing the signs of loneliness in your team? Picture this: Sarah leads a team of eight professionals. From her perspective, things are ticking along nicely. The quarterly numbers look good, deadlines are being met, …

Female Billionaires

by Michelle | July 22, 2025 |

Leadership

Why the 13% Matters: Gender, Leadership, and Business Potential The revelation that only 13% of the world’s billionaires are women may initially seem like a stark reflection of inequality, and in many respects, it is. We’re not …

Motivation Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All

by Michelle | July 7, 2025 |

Effective Teamwork, Leadership

Motivation at work doesn’t look the same for everyone. Some people jump at new challenges, while others feel drained by the same task. Deadlines might energise one person but overwhelm another. We often treat motivation at …

Writing With the Wrong Hand

by Michelle | May 27, 2025 |

Wellbeing & Resilience

Have you ever tried writing with the wrong hand – your non-dominant one? It’s slow, awkward, and tiring. The letters may be recognisable, but the process is mentally exhausting and the results usually fall short. …