New ideas and practical tools
As an entrepreneur, author, speaker, corporate consultant, soft skills advocate, educator, charity founder, and jazz musician, I’ve a wealth of diverse, global experience that I draw upon to entertain, inspire, and change audiences. I want everyone to leave an event not only on a ‘high’, but also with new ideas and practical tools to help them thrive in this uncertain global environment.
I’ve a Master’s degree in Leadership and Managing Organisational Change (City University, London), but my first degree was in music (BA Hons Performing Arts, Middlesex University). I draw on my extensive experience as a professional jazz pianist and composer, along with my subsequent work as a soft skills consultant, to show how the relationship between jazz and business is both a compelling analogy, and a powerful approach to 21st century challenges.
Jazz of Business: a unique presentation
I aim to challenge old ideas, inspire action, encourage reflection, shift mindsets, break barriers, provoke real change, boost individual and organisational performance, and entertain you!
Let me encourage you and your organisation to develop the improviser mindset and a jazz attitude. This is how you’ll keep your cool and deliver your most brilliant work, even when the present is uncertain and the future is unclear.
“I used to think that running an organisation was equivalent to conducting a symphony orchestra. But I don’t think that’s quite it; it’s more like jazz. There is more improvisation”
Warren Bennis
The Jazz of Business: Leadership in a New Groove
I’m the author of three books, with another on the way. The Jazz of Business: Leadership in a New Groove, explores how leadership has changed from an orchestral to a jazz model, and in my upcoming publication I’ve applied the jazz concept to change management.
The Jazz of Business relationship
In my presentations I explore the Jazz of Business relationship as it applies to leadership, innovation, team working, trust and other essential business considerations. I tailor each presentation to a client’s immediate concerns. I speak at events around the world, for clients ranging from small charities and women’s leadership seminars, to universities and global corporations.
Soft skills: the essential 21st century capabilities
I’m a long-term advocate of soft skills, believing them to be the essential 21st century capabilities, and am the creator of an award-winning methodology, BBM ® (Barrier Breakers Methodology for Soft Skills Development and Evaluation). BBM is based on over 15 years of research and real-world application. I’m Founder and CEO of the soft skills development consultancy Barrier Breakers (UK) Ltd, and its charity, Barrier Breakers Foundation. Profits from our consultancy help to support the charity’s work, which brings the benefits of soft skills training and coaching to disadvantaged young people in the UK.
I’ve trained many thousands of people, working with youth and adult audiences around the world, challenging them to break barriers and develop soft skills. With the rise of automation and artificial intelligence, it’s estimated that two-thirds of all jobs will rely on soft skills by 2030. Are you ready for that?