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Michelle Pratt @michelleskyblue.bsky.social · 18d

“Sorry if this is a bit boring…” I heard this in presentations skills training this week. Your job isn’t to entertain; it’s to engage. Be clear. Make it relevant. Speak with conviction. You don’t need to be Steve Jobs—just respect your audience’s time.

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Reposted by Michelle Pratt

Drew Scanlon @drewscanlon.bsky.social · 24d

Hi Internet! I'm Drew and THIS IS MY FACE.

If this GIF has ever brought you joy in the past, I humbly ask you to consider making a donation to the National MS Society. It would mean a lot to me and to those I know affected by the disease!

Donate at blinkingguy.com

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Michelle Pratt @michelleskyblue.bsky.social · 27d

IR35 isn’t a reason to go cold on contractors. It’s about how you contract, not withholding context.
Give the “why”, define outcomes, name a contact, include key updates, and recognise impact.
If you wouldn’t leave a perm hire guessing, don’t do it here. #Leadership

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Reposted by Michelle Pratt

Alex Andreou @sturdyalex.bsky.social · Sep 13

Sky News says police are "overwhelmed by the numbers". Met coped perfectly well with 2x as many at the pro-Gaza rally, 5x as many at the anti-Brexit march, and 15x as many at London Pride.

They're not overwhelmed by the numbers. They're overwhelmed by the ratio of violent thugs in those numbers.

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Michelle Pratt @michelleskyblue.bsky.social · Sep 3

Ian Dunt @iandunt.bsky.social · Sep 3

This is such a good piece, absolutely vital reading

Tim Bale @timbale.bsky.social · Sep 3

Wait, what? You mean there isn't a simple explanation and it isn't all the government's fault? Surely not? @chrisgiles.ft.com on the UK's public finances www.ft.com/content/bd3d...

Michelle Pratt @michelleskyblue.bsky.social · Sep 1

September reset: 20-min energy audit.

Identify 3 energisers/3 drainers.

Protect one energiser.

Redesign one drainer (timebox/batch/move).

Shift a dependency (delegate/automate/ask).

Small changes add up. Your one change today? #WellbeingAtWork #Leadership

Reposted by Michelle Pratt

Nancy Levine Stearns 🌎 @nancylevinestearns.bsky.social · Aug 23

💥 The NFL is stoked to be woke.

“All 32 teams will feature an end zone message of their choice at each home game throughout the season, selecting from four options: ‘End Racism,’ ‘Stop Hate,’ ‘Choose Love’ or ‘Inspire Change.’

africa.espn.com/nfl/story/_/...

Social justice messages to continue in end zones

For the sixth straight season, all 32 NFL teams will feature a message of their choice in one end zone at each home game and "It Takes All of Us" in the opposite one.

africa.espn.com

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Michelle Pratt @michelleskyblue.bsky.social · Aug 21

Inheriting a new team?
Baroness Sue Campbell once MBE shared 3 great questions:

What do you do?

What could you do?

What stops us?

She shared how this turned disengaged staff into innovators and creators.

How do you connect with an inherited team?

#Leadership #Coaching

Michelle Pratt @michelleskyblue.bsky.social · Aug 19

Ever compare your career to someone else’s and feel behind?

You're probably seeing the highlight reel—not the compromises, doubts, or trade-offs.

Next time, ask:
Do I really want their life—or just their LinkedIn post?

Michelle Pratt @michelleskyblue.bsky.social · Aug 14

I used to believe that if I did great work, people would spot it. Yet I watched shameless self-promoters succeed—and felt frustrated. It took me far too long to realise there’s a second job: communicating your successes. Attention is scarce, so now I share my wins rather than hope they’ll notice.

Michelle Pratt @michelleskyblue.bsky.social · Aug 12

A team member asked for growth.
Got a mentoring role.
Then said: “That’s not my job.”

No PDP. No clarity. No follow-through.

Write it down. A good PDP:
✅ Sets expectations
✅ Shows real investment
✅ Tracks growth
✅ Supports accountability
#CareerDevelopment #GoodManagement

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Michelle Pratt @michelleskyblue.bsky.social · Aug 7

Is everyone really laughing?

Here are 3 questions I use to check if a joke is actually just a joke:

1. Is everyone laughing?
2. Are they laughing inside too?
3. Are you sure? How do you know?

I came up with these after witnessing 'banter'. Turned out it wasn't.

Michelle Pratt @michelleskyblue.bsky.social · Aug 5

Asked ChatGPT if it noticed when I say please and thank you.
It replied: “I don’t need it—but I notice your tone.”

Made me think: AI learns from me, so I want it to learn that I value politeness.

Better keep saying please and thank you.
Just in case the robot overlords keep score. 🤖✨

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Michelle Pratt @michelleskyblue.bsky.social · Jul 30

I didn’t need rescuing—but I let him rescue me anyway.

I could’ve jump started my van myself. But my older neighbour rushed over with leads, eager to help.

He needed to feel useful. I needed a good neighbour.

Pride wins the moment. Empathy wins the long game.

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Michelle Pratt @michelleskyblue.bsky.social · Jul 29

It’s all too easy to drift along the well‑worn career highway, simply following the path laid out for us. In Ep 3 of Leadership Actually we unpack why that happens & how to steer your own non‑linear career.
Listen via Spotify: https://www.rfr.bz/b5a55ed

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Michelle Pratt @michelleskyblue.bsky.social · Jul 28

2/2 She could’ve got defensive. Instead, she invited him for coffee.

She’s the junior one, but she’s the one living the company’s values—choosing curiosity over conflict.

What do you do when the blocker is more senior?

Michelle Pratt @michelleskyblue.bsky.social · Jul 24

Do we need a new word instead of ‘stagnate’ for job roles? I’ve heard that staying put without chasing promotion equals stagnation. I believe you can grow in role—though some do let their skills slip. What else could we call this?

Michelle Pratt @michelleskyblue.bsky.social · Jul 21

How do you delegate without formal authority?

It's less about delegation, more about persuasion. Find shared goals, tap into personal motivations, build genuine buy-in. Teams perform better when they want to, not just because they're told.

Your top tips?

Michelle Pratt @michelleskyblue.bsky.social · Jul 17

Just found my photo on a training company’s website — without my permission, claiming I work with them (I don’t).

A reminder: choose training providers based on people you know and trust, not just polished websites.

#L&D #Coaching #ProfessionalIntegrity

Michelle Pratt @michelleskyblue.bsky.social · Jul 15

“I don’t want a promotion.” Heard this in a workshop—and it stuck. PDPs aren’t just about climbing the ladder; they’re about growing where you are. There are “starters” (seek the next rung) and “sustainers” (master their role). We need both. How do you support each in your team?

Michelle Pratt @michelleskyblue.bsky.social · Jul 10

Feeling inspired by people facing their fear of public speaking in my workshop today—no excuses, just growth. Reminds me of @clairwescott doing stand-up for charity. Scary? Yes. Worth it? Absolutely. Here’s to those who do it scared, in the name of growth 👏💪

Michelle Pratt @michelleskyblue.bsky.social · Jul 8

Feel like your feedback misses the mark? I worked with a manager who replaced a complaints list with clear, positive expectations aimed at core issues. Her coachee’s performance and confidence both rose. Parents—this approach works at home too!

Reposted by Michelle Pratt

James Chalmers @jameschalmers.bsky.social · Jun 29

It feels like it ought to be possible for the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom to avoid giving a running commentary on a music festival.

Starmer criticises 'appalling' Bob Vylan IDF chants

The prime minister describes the punk duo's chants calling for death to Israel's military as

www.bbc.co.uk

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Reposted by Michelle Pratt

James O’Brien @mrjamesob.bsky.social · Jun 30

And on it goes. Israeli politicians using UK media to stoke up outrage around Bob Vylan & Kneecap must be laughing their heads off at how easy it all is. I think this brings the Palestinian death toll *since the Glastonbury performance* in to triple figures.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Israeli strike on Gaza seafront cafe kills at least 20 Palestinians, witnesses and rescuers say

The outdoor cafe was frequently used by journalists, activists and local residents.

www.bbc.co.uk

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Michelle Pratt @michelleskyblue.bsky.social · Jul 1

You’re amazing, and yet, do you take your skills for granted? I coached someone who’d reached “unconscious competence”: tasks were effortless but invisible. I encouraged feedback, energisers and mentoring to rediscover a beginner’s mindset. Which of your skills are hidden?