My insights about what actually delivers real change in a business come from more than 20 years working with leaders who desperately want to bring out the best in their people and create happy, thriving organisational cultures. I realised early on that there had to be a better way than the conventional wisdom about leadership and change which simply wasn't working on the ground.
My keynote speeches on the changing face of leadership and work are based on my real, current experiences designing and delivering leadership development and culture change programmes, in organisations big and small, that actually deliver results.
"Blaire was interesting, funny, informative, enthusiastic and left everyone in the audience with positive thoughts. She had obviously done her homework because she made her speech relevant and she engaged with the audience. I would recommend Blaire as I am sure that she would add value to any event." Janice Drum, Chairman of the Jersey Compliance Officers Association
And I still do the work. When I'm not on stage sharing funny, insightful and challenging ideas with audiences to inspire them to rethink how they drive change in their organisations, I'm working hand in hand with senior leaders and their teams, building their leadership capability and guiding them as they create organisational cultures where people can do their best work.
As one of the youngest producers of the BBC’s flagship “Today Programme” I spent a decade breaking stories and shaping the UK news agenda before my fascination with leadership and change led me to train as one of the UK’s first corporate coaches.
Two decades later, my speeches give audiences unparalleled insight into what’s happening in the most innovative Boardrooms in the UK and Europe, trends I'm spotting in my work and what actually works (and doesn’t) when it comes to change and leadership in real businesses.
Back in 2018, anticipating how work was going to change in future, I took to the road with my 10 year old daughter (and our two dogs) for 7 months to experience life as a digital nomad (the ultimate in remote working), an experience which became far more relevant than I could have realised when the pandemic hit and remote working became the norm for so many people.
Now the questions leaders are asking me include -
- What is the purpose of a workplace in a post-Covid world?
- How do we create organisational cultures where people feel engaged, a sense of belonging and of being valued when they aren't in the office together?
- How do we adapt to the changing demands and expectation of our people while still serving the needs of the business and its customers?
- How do we break down silos and hierarchical thinking and remove the barriers to people doing their best work
- How are we - the leaders - getting in the way? How should we be spending our time if we want to liberate the talent of our people?
- How do we get people to speak up, share their ideas and take ownership?
- How do we keep up with the pace of never-ending change without burning out our people (and ourselves) in the process?
I believe business can be a force for good in the world without sacrificing profitability and sustainability, and that work can provide us with a sense of meaning, purpose and community. I'm on a mission to live and work on these terms...and help others do the same. But that can't happen without change.
Known for combining warmth and charm with a no nonsense, straight talking style, I shake up people's thinking and inspire audiences and leadership teams alike with my fresh ideas. Focusing on the need to re-think business and how we work for the 21st century I encourage audiences, leaders and teams to challenge everything they thought they knew.
I've written 3 successful books on the subject of leadership and am regularly quoted in the media. I am a regular guest expert on TV and radio including BBC Radio 2's Jeremy Vine show, BBC Breakfast News, BBC Working Lunch, Sky News, BBC World and am often quoted in the national press including The Financial Times, The Daily Telegraph, The Guardian, The Mirror and The Daily Mail amongst others. I write a monthly column for the UK's leading HR publication HR Zone and have a regular column with AccountingWeb. I am Chief Executive of That People Thing, a leadership consultancy, and live in Berkshire with my teenaged daughter, dogs, rabbits and chickens.
"Blaire offers a wealth of experience in her field, all relevant to today’s business demands, and coupled with an engaging, warm and thought- provoking delivery style, has given me and my colleagues some valuable insights and actions to take and make a positive difference!" Kosta Christofi, Santander UK
