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Are we all sick of Zoom yet? I’ve been averaging about 20 hours a week on Zoom, and last week was closer to 30 as I was on an online course for four days.Let me tell you, it’s been an energy KILLER.Which is fitting as this episode is about managing your energy.A critical component of leadership is knowing and managing your own energy levels.Albert Einstein said everything is about energy.And he is completely right. Because if we don't have energy, we don't have the ability to do what we want to do or what we need to do in life. In this episode I talk about:The types of energy – physical, emotional and spiritualWhere we get our energyThings that sap our energyHow we can get a quick energy boostWhat saps our energyWhat gives you energy? And what saps it?Thanks so much for listening! Please subscribe if you haven't, so you don't miss an episode. You can connect with me on LinkedIn or Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #thisconnectedlife and tagging me @melkettle

Michelle Cox and I met in May 2019 at the space series event and immediately bonded.Previously a global CEO, COO and currently a non-executive director, Michelle has owned, founded and headed up many companies in her twenty-five years in the corporate world. An elite athlete in her youth, she’s won awards in sport as well as business and personally overcome cervical cancer.Michelle is the founder and author of the Wabi Sabi Series which includes a number of books that focus on topics we don't often talk about.Wabi Sabi is a traditional Japanese philosophy that focuses on finding beauty within imperfections in our lives and gracefully accepting the natural cycle of growth and decay. The first three books in the series are available now at wabisabiseries.com or your favourite online stores:Doctors are not godsIt's okay not to have kidsDeath doesn't have to be morbidYou can connect with Michelle on LinkedIn. Michelle's website is wabisabiseries.com.What Michelle Cox and I talked about:Space Conference, Byron Baytaking a creative breakit’s okay for us not to have childrenbeing harshly judged for not having childrenliving a life that is absolutely right for yousupport vs judgementbecoming a writerdeathchallenges in lifebeing an eternal optimistRegression TherapyMany Lives Many MastersBrené Brown booksGut by Julia EldersRich Dad Poor Dad by Robert IwasakiFuture Fit by Andrea ClarkeMichelle Obama – BecomingMelinda Gates – A Moment of LiftSuper Soul Sunday– Oprah WinfreyRich Roll interview with Dr Zach BushYou can connect with me on LinkedIn or Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #thisconnectedlife and tagging me @melkettle

Last week I spoke about how to work from home. This time I’m speaking about how you, as a manager or leader, can stay connected with your teams when you are all working in different locations.There are three main things we need to consider when we work from home – ourselves, our people and our space.In this episode I talk about:· Show self-compassion· Being more effective communicators· Curiosity· Your culture – what can stay the same, what will change?· Staying connected· Clarity· Change· Creating the space – your new work space, the online space and giving yourself enough mental and emotional space· ConsistencyHow are you coping with leading a team remotely? Is this the first time you have had to? What is surprising you about it?

Blog copy #34Staying connected when working from homeIn this episode Mel talks about:Coping with changing routinesHope and opportunityNeeding to work from homeThe benefits of working from home7 tips to make working from home easierSet clear boundaries around the hours you work.Try and set clear boundaries around WHERE you work.Create some rituals around working from home.Make time to talk to real people every dayMake time to exercise and moveStructure you day as you would in the officeGet some fresh air and natural lightWhat about you? Do you work from home? What’s your favourite part? What ideas do you have to make it easier?Next week when I’ll share some advice on how you can stay connected with your team working remotely.You can connect with me on LinkedIn or twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #thisconnectedlife and tagging me @melkettle

Dr Justin Coulson is one of Australia’s most respected and popular parenting authors and speakers. He is sought after for his expertise in family life, relationships, and wellbeing and resilience; and he is the founder of ‘Happy Families’. Justin has a PhD in Positive Psychology, is the father of six daughters (!!!), has written five books, and is a three-time bestselling author.Justin's latest book, Miss-Connection: Why your teenage daughter hates you, expects the world, and needs to talk, is available now at all good bookstores and online.You can connect with Justin on LinkedIn and you can follow him on Facebook at Happy Families. Justin's website is www.happyfamilies.com.au.Justin has generously offered listers of this podcast access to his Happy Families Kickstart program for FREE! (Saving $97). It's 3 weeks, 3 easy ways to make positive changes in your family starting now.THANK YOU JUSTIN!What Dr Justin Coulson and I talked aboutBrené Brownacknowledge the humanity in peoplehow do we show empathy and what do we say to people? How do we connect in a meaningful way and show vulnerability?Justin’s new book – Miss Connectionbeing a father of 6 daughtersmost pain is a wonderful friend and an incredible teacherTeenage girls vs teenage boys – what to be aware ofConnection is the currency of our relationshipsStephen Covey – 7 Habits of Highly Effective PeopleListening, laughter and lightnessThe Happiness Hypothesis – Jonathon HaidtThe Coddling of the American Mind by Greg Lukianoff and Jonathon HaidtDark Horse – Achieving Success through the Pursuit of Fulfillment by Ogi Ogas and Todd RoseThe Happiness Lab Podcast with Dr Laurie SantosThe Art of ManlinessHidden Brain Podcast – NPR7 Principles for Making Marriage Work by John M. Gottman and Nan SilverThe Jesus Wars by John JenkinsYou can connect with me on LinkedIn or Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #thisconnectedlife and tagging me @melkettle

This episode is about morning routines.I talk about:· the many benefits to having a morning routine and how it can help set our day up for success.· Steve Jobs used to ask himself every morning “If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?”, while looking in the mirror. If he said no on too many consecutive days then he made some changes. This was one of his morning rituals that helped set his mindset for the day ahead.· Author and podcaster Tim Ferris says that having a morning routine can help you “win the day”. If you accomplish one good thing in your morning routine, you’ve accomplished one good thing for that day, and you’re much more likely to have a good rest of the day.· My lack of a great morning routine. Although I do include exercise into my mornings at least a few days a week these days!· Morning pages· Exercise· Meditation· James Clear and his excellent book Atomic Habits· My proposed morning routine and a 30 day challengeDo you have a morning routine? What does it look like?I’d love to know.You can connect with me on LinkedIn or twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #thisconnectedlife and tagging me @melkettleOr you can email me – mel@melkettle.comI’m always happy to hear from listeners, and if you have a guest you would like to nominate or would like to nominate yourself, you can apply via my website, www.melkettle.com

Kim Stockham and I first met about 14 years ago through our local chamber of commerce. We bonded over the challenges of working from home and staying sane! We also bonded over our shared love of travel. Today Kim is based in Singapore, heading up Corporate Communications for the Expedia Group in the Asia Pacific. Her role is dedicated to communications which help elevate the Expedia Group brand and team in APAC, and which recognises the value of travel to the world. She works across global and local corporate communications projects, as well as supporting Corporate Development (M&A) and Public Policy/Government Relations teams. In 2019 Kim was recognised as in the global ‘Top Women in PR 2019 Awards’, acknowledging and celebrating her global leadership in communications.You can connect with Kim on LinkedIn.What Kim Stockham and I talked aboutbeing a Super-Connectorhaving a strong love of meeting people, friends and travellingthe kindest thing you can do is share your friendsJanine Garner - It's Who You KnowKaren Morley - Lead Like a CoachStaying connected with a remote teamHow corporate communications has changedsaying now eloquentlykindness and compassion in business - don’t run over anyone in your raceLiving overseasA Gentleman in Moscow by Amor TowlesFinancial TimesWall Street JournalYou can connect with me on LinkedIn or Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #thisconnectedlife and tagging me @melkettle

I turn 50 next week - eek! Where have the last ten years gone???Obviously I'm older, hopefully wiser, and I have definitely learned A LOT. I thought I would share my top ten learnings of the last ten years to commemorate the end of my 40s. Which, let's face it, has been pretty damn good, which a few fairly awful exceptions!Top ten things I learned over the last ten yearsFill your own cup first - if you don't look after yourself, how can you serve others?Being kind, positive and happy are all choices. And yes, some days it can be really hard.Go with your gut – if it doesn’t feel right it’s probably not! Whether it’s a relationship, your health, a job, a situation.If you don’t love what you do then do something else.Focus on what you can control, not what you can’t.Be you. Don’t try and be someone you’re not because people will sense something is off.Everyone is scared of messing up and everyone has moments of self-doubt. If you want to succeed you need to get out of your own way. Comparison is the thief of joy, so if you need to compare yourself to something, compare yourself to what you were like a month, year, decade ago.Change is constant so learn how to deal with it.True friends will stick by you in bad times and be genuinely happy for your success in good times. So make time to see them and call them and don’t rely on social media to find out how they really areLife is short, live it. For me, this means take opportunities, travel, say yes more than I say no.What do the next 10 years hold? Who knows! Hopefully a lot of great experiences, opportunities and more travel.What have you learned in the last ten years?I’d love to know.You can connect with me on LinkedIn or Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #thisconnectedlife and tagging me @melkettle. I’m always happy to hear from listeners, and if you have a guest you would like to nominate or would like to nominate yourself, you can apply here.If you enjoyed this podcast, I would love you to subscribe

I first met this week’s guest, Tony Ryan, about 12 years ago when I joined Professional Speakers Australia. Back then Tony was a bit of a legend in Australia’s speaking community, and today is no different.He is a lifelong educator, parent, and futurist, and has worked with over 1000 education, business and parent groups in 10 different countries throughout his career. Tony is also an international best-selling author of 8 books, an Australian ambassador for School Aid, and a former national president of Professional Speakers Australia.Tony’s latest book, Next Generation – Preparing today’s kids for an extraordinary future, is a must-read for all parents and educators, as it will help you identify what’s ahead for our children, the capabilities they will need and some actions to help them in their future.You can connect with Tony at tonyryan.com.au. You can also connect with Tony on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.What Tony Ryan and I talked about:Conversation is connectionthe words we use – real life versus the online lifefuture technology challenges with conversation and connectionthe need to reframe the mindset of kids today so there is more optimismwe are capable of coping with the dramatic change up ahead – the ability to think critically and creatively – regardless of behaviourhope – the best four-letter word that you can talk about70% of all articles on the news are negativewe need to teach children how to think not what to think – critical thinking and creative thinking are essentialbeing a professional speakerHans Rosling – Factfulnessbook of the year lists for Bill Gates and Barack ObamaMelinda Gates – The Moment of LiftSteve Biddulp – The New ManhoodMichelle Obama – BecomingYou can connect with me on LinkedIn or Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #thisconnectedlife and tagging me @melkettle

In this episode I talk about· self-awareness and how as leaders, most of us can improve this element of ourselves· Being self-aware is about understanding what motivates you, the impact you have on others, what you do well and where you struggle.· Stephen Covey says that self-awareness involves deep personal honesty and that it comes from asking and answering hard questions.· What self-awareness isn’t is self-judgement.· Research tells us that when we have greater self-awareness we are more effective at communicating, we have increased confidence and we are more creative. This enables us to have stronger relationships, be more effective and impactful leaders, have more productive and satisfied employees and run more profitable companies.· My friend Kate Billing, who I spoke to on episode 9 says that increasing self-awareness and the capacity for inner self management should be a foundational part of our development agenda.· self-talk – that little voice in your head that tells you how great you are or, in many cases, how great you aren’t.· naming the voices in your head· how we become more self aware· CliftonStrengths assessment· be open – to new experiences, new people, new ideas· be curious – ask questions, show an interest· question our assumptions.How are you going to become more self aware? Do you think you might name that nasty voice in your head that tells you you’re not good enough?And how will you be more open, more curious and question your assumptions?I’d love to know.You can connect with me on LinkedIn or Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #thisconnectedlife and tagging me @melkettle. I’m always happy to hear from listeners, and if you have a guest you would like to nominate or would like to nominate yourself, you can apply here.If you enjoyed this podcast, I would love you to subscribe.If you REALLY loved it, please leave me a rating and review on iTunes.

Andrew Short AFSM is the Assistant Commissioner for the State Emergency Services for Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES).Andrew is no stranger to the challenges associated with providing effective emergency management, having worked for QFES for over 20 years. He is passionate about lifelong learning, especially when it comes to investigating how organisations can improve how they lead, manage and train to achieve the outcome of operational excellence.In 2007 he was acknowledged for his achievements when he was awarded an Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM) for significant contribution to QFRS Operational and Business processes. including iZone, wildfire preparedness (WAL, LAP, RAM), Functional Management and Absenteeism Management improvements. This medal is the highest national award for fire service officers in Australia. He is also a life member of the Royal National Agricultural and Industrial Association of Queensland.Andrew is married with two teenage children, and with his family enjoys travelling within (and outside of) Australia. He is also an avid shipwreck scuba diver, and uses this sport as a means of gaining respite from work and from his phone!You can connect with Andrew on LinkedIn.What Andrew Short and I talked aboutwhat connection means to himpreparing for the worst – management of a large emergencyhelping communities understand risk in emergencies and that they can be impacted by an emergency at any time during the yearworking with volunteerscommunication challenges with paid staff and volunteersthe notion of learning throughout lifeaccepting responsibility and what you could do differently to get a better outcomehaving critical friends who are brave enough to challenge youDominick Quartuccio – episode 17Books –John Carlin, Playing the Enemy: Nelson Mandela and the Game That Made a Nation Malcolm GladwellBill BrysonVictor Frankel, Man’s Search for MeaningCraig Ferguson, Riding the Elephant You can connect with me on LinkedIn or Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #thisconnectedlife and tagging me @melkettleIf you enjoyed this podcast, I would love you to subscribe and if you REALLY loved it, please leave me a rating and review on iTunes.

When you know your purpose, it’s easier to plan, to set goals and then take relevant action to achieve them. In the past I’ve found that when my goals are connected to my purpose, I’m far more likely to achieve them.In this episode I talk about:· Simon Sinek Start with why· Stephen Covey – begin with the end in mind· How knowing our purpose can help us in life· The Japanese concept of Ikigai· Four questions to help you find your purpose· Creating goalsDo you know your purpose? I’d love to know.You can connect with me on LinkedIn or twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #thisconnectedlife and tagging me @melkettle

Christmas and the holiday season can be a really difficult time for a lot of people. And even for those who love it, there can be pockets of stress and overwhelm.One of the things I’ve learned from life, and from horribly fraught Christmases, is that it’s so important to look after yourself. While it’s not always possible to avoid stressful times – at Christmas and at other times of the year, it is always possible to build in some tactics to make it easier for yourself.6 tactics for dealing with overwhelm1. Get help2. Have a digital detox3. Step away4. Relinquish control and delegate5. Set some boundaries6. Set some ritualsHow do you cope when you are feeling overwhelmed? What steps are you going to put in place to help you cope when you are feeling overwhelmed?Finally, if you or someone you know needs help, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.There is also an anonymous online chat service available between 8pm and 4am AEST at Lifeline.org.au, or visit Beyond Blue’s website. For crisis assistance, call 000.How do you deal with overwhelm?What are your tactics for surviving Christmas?I’d love to know. You can connect with me on LinkedIn or twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #thisconnectedlife and tagging me @melkettleOr you can email me – mel@melkettle.comThis is my last episode for a few weeks as I’ll be taking a break over Christmas. I’ll be back late January for season 2, and I have some great guests to introduce you to!I’m always happy to hear from listeners, and if you have a guest you would like to nominate or would like to nominate yourself, you can apply via my website, www.melkettle.comMerry Christmas, and I’ll see you in 2020!

In my last solo episode I spoke about the importance of sleep. Today I want to talk about rest.Our brains thrive when they have time to rest. We make over 30,000 decisions a day, so the cognitive load on our mind is immense. If we don’t take some time during the day to rest our brains, our performance, moods and physical and mental health all suffer.The risk of fatigue is well known. When we are over-tired our brain switches off and we have micro-sleeps. These can last from a fraction of a second to thirty seconds. Long enough to have a car accident if you’re driving.Our brain has the same reaction to serious sleep deprivation as it does to excessive alcohol consumption. In fact, being awake for 17 hours has the same impact on our cognition and our bodies as having a blood alcohol content of .05. And 21 hours awake is the equivalent of a blood alcohol content of .08.Our brains have two modes of processing and are designed to have regular rest periods:The first mode is when we are focused and concentrating on tasks, solving problems and processing incoming information – this includes when we scroll through Instagram or Facebook, do work that requires us to think and when we are watching TV.The second mode is the default mode network, which switches on when our minds start to wander – such as when we are in the shower or out for a walk. It’s when our brain is in default mode that we get some of our best ideas.Our brains work best when we give them the opportunity to switch between these two modes. Something that happens with less frequency when we are glued to our phones…Ferris Jabr writes in Scientific American “downtime replenishes the brain’s stores of attention and motivation, encourages productivity and creativity, and is essential to both achieve our highest levels of performance and simply form stable memories in everyday life”.So how can we rest?Personally, I love a good power nap. Research has shown that a 20 minute power nap can increase cognitive performance by up to 40%, with the benefit lasting two to three hours.If napping isn’t for you, or you don’t have an opportunity to nap during the day, there are plenty of other things you can do:Use a productivity technique such as 52:17 or PomodoroGo for a walk or do some other sort of physical exercise Meditate for a few minutesclose your eyes and taking some deep breaths to help relax your mind and bodyUnplug and enjoy the silenceGo outside and get some fresh airDo something creative with your hands such as draw, knit, make some origamiGet into the gardenThe consistent pattern here is that you step away from your desk to do a different type of activity that doesn’t require a lot of thought.Getting enough rest isn’t only about enough sleep. We need to make sure we give our brains time to rest during the day.How do you rest your brain during the day? Or do you go flat out and fade at 3pm? Or sooner?You can connect with me on LinkedIn or Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #thisconnectedlife and tagging me @melkettleIf you enjoyed this podcast, I would love you to subscribe on iTunes or Spotify or via the podcast app on your smartphone.If you REALLY loved it, please leave me a rating and review on iTunes.

Lisa O’Neill is feisty, funny and fabulous. She has been described as a human version of Berocca and is one of my favourite people for her energy, her positivity and her ability to cut the shit and tell it as it is – always with love. Lisa wants us all to live big lives and to become the best version of ourselves. She is the former fashion editor of NZ Women’s Weekly and today is the author of three books, a highly sought after conference speaker and MC, and a mentor to loads of very fortunate women, including me!You can connect with Lisa at www.lisaoneill.co.nz. You can also connect with Lisa on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.What Lisa O’Neill and I talked aboutHow connection means everything and without connection we have nothingMeeting her husband when she was 14 year and knowing immediately he was the onehow many underestimate the power of an instant connectionbe “on purpose”make people better with comfort and lovedon’t let your life live youwomen get stuck in the various stages of life and tend to lead other people’s livesbeing conditioned to servicenever too old to chase your dreamsunashamed pleasurebeing your own best friendgive yourself permission to be youLife is hard and what are your strategies for itBook – The Lickable ThirdBeing a funeral celebrantRussell Brand’s podcast Under the SkinPerform Under Pressure by Dr Ceri EvansFaster Than Normal by Peter ShankmanYou can connect with me on LinkedIn or Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #thisconnectedlife and tagging me @melkettleIf you enjoyed this podcast, I would love you to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify or via the podcast app on your smartphone.If you REALLY loved it, please leave me a rating and review on iTunes.

There are four ways we need to look after ourselves physically - we need to get enough of the right food, water, exercise and sleep. Sleep is often the one that is ignored.This episode is is part 1 of a 2-parter – talking about sleep and rest.Rest is more than just sleep at night. Most of us are aware that we need enough sleep (which doesn’t mean we get enough!), but too many of us go hell for leather during the day, without giving in to our body’s need for rest. And I don’t mean a quick nap – although I’m certainly not averse to that!A lack of sleep is debilitating to our mental and physical health, and in most cases, poor sleep behaviour is an individual choice. Not getting enough sleep is like being in a permanent state of jetlag, and those of us who travel know how awful that feels!Four out of ten Australian’s don’t get enough sleep (on average we get 6.5 hours a night, with 12 per cent of us having 5.5 hours or less) and 20 per cent of us suffer from excessive daytime sleepiness.The costs of this lack of sleep are high – it significantly reduces workplace productivity, costs the Australian economy $66.3 billion per year and can lead directly to work-related accidents and fatalities.What causes our lack of sleep? Our inability to manage our time with technology is partly to blame – Netflix is a biggie.If you’re tired all the time but believe you’re getting enough sleep, then see your doctor, as you could have a serious sleep disorder such as sleep apnoea.A lot of people have a morning routine, but do you also have a night-time routine? The benefits of a night-time routine are that it can help you wind down from the day so you fall asleep more quickly and have a more restful and better quality sleep.Tips to help you get more sleep – suggestions for a night-time routine · Go to bed earlier so you can aim for 7-8 hours a night· Set consistent times for going to bed and getting up · Don’t drink caffeine in the afternoon or immediately before going to bed – try herbal tea instead· Try and limit the amount of alcohol you consume · Reduce the blue light exposure from screens in the evening · Turn off the TV an hour or two before going to bed · Have a warm bath or shower· Make sure your mattress and pillow is comfortable· Make sure your bedroom had adequate ventilation and is a comfortable temperature· Be organised for the following day · Encourage your partner not to snore!Getting enough rest isn’t only about enough sleep. We need to make sure we give our brains time to rest during the day.However I’m going to talk more about this in my next solo episode! What does your night time routine look like? Do you even have one?I’d love to know. You can connect with me on LinkedIn or twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #thisconnectedlife and tagging me @melkettle If you would like to be more connectable, or have a more connectable team, please get in touch.

I first heard of Lara Bourguignon when we received an email she sent to all SuperConcepts clients, introducing herself as the new CEO, and inviting us to get in touch via her direct email if we had any concerns or otherwise. I was incredibly impressed so reached out to her on LinkedIn to say so.I loved how she was so keen to connect, as well as to listen to clients in her early days in the role.Lara was appointed into the position of CEO, SuperConcepts in April 2019. Prior to that, she was in the role of Director, Strategic Marketing and Customer Experience within SuperConcepts parent company AMP.You can connect with Lara at SuperConcepts. You can also connect with Lara on LinkedIn.What Lara Bourguignon and I talked aboutA connection is more than a transactionCheckout attendants at her local Coles supermarketDifferentiation in a very digital worldBring your ‘whole self’ to workPersonal email connection as a new CEOUndertaking a listening tour in the first months of a new roleStealing “Jack Welch-isms” – respect the past and what has happened in the pastLeadership is not done in isolationHeightened sensitivity to past decisionsVery serious responsibility to stakeholdersWomen and money through SuperannuationFinancial fitness is the same as physical fitnessUnderstanding your superannuationBecoming Financially Fit FemalesRachel Griffiths Ride Like a Girl (movie)Extreme Trust – Don Peppers and Martha RogersThe Power – Naomi AldermanSteph Clarke’s Podcast – Steph’s business books If you enjoyed this podcast, I would love you to subscribe on iTunes or Spotify or via the podcast app on your smartphone.You can also connect with me on LinkedIn or Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #thisconnectedlife and tagging me @melkettle.If you REALLY loved it, please leave me a rating and review on iTunes.

I’ve been thinking a lot about kindness lately. And how a small, kind gesture can make such a mammoth difference to someone’s life.Kind is possibly my favourite four letter word.Being kind is one of easiest things we can do, and it can have life‑changing consequences. Kindness doesn’t need to be difficult or expensive or time consuming.I feel as we become “busier” we are becoming less kind. If you’re wondering, busy is my least favourite four letter word!I’m so very grateful to have been the recipient of many acts of kindness throughout my life so far: When my parents died, when I was housebound after melanoma surgery, when we’re away and our neighbours look after our chickens, when a stranger offers me a seat on the train, when door is held open for me and so many more small and large gestures.Kindness is so prevalent in the personal worlds of so many of us, that it makes me wonder why it’s not as common in the business world.Don’t businesses and their leaders realise that when you are kind to people, they want to do more for you? Whether it’s your workforce, customers or investors.The number one quality of a connectable leader has is kindness. What would happen if we started to measure the number of kind deeds transacted?How many of us would be able to say, hand on heart, that we are a success? And think about the flow-on impact. I know I seek out the businesses that have shown me kindness. I WANT them to have my money. And I tell people about them. Their kindnesses show they value me. It’s not rocket science!It shouldn’t surprise you to know that research shows leaders and organisations that are kind to their employees have employees who stay longer, work harder and are more committed to the organisation.It also shouldn’t surprise you, that when you are kind to your staff that kindness flows out and onto their colleagues, their families, your customers, suppliers and other stakeholders.What would happen if you included a kindness metric in your key performance indicators or your strategic goals? What impact do you think that might have on your people and your business?Kindness at work isn’t only about the warm fuzzies it generates. Kindness at work can improve job performance, lengthen employee tenure and reduce absences. According to Emma Seppala, associate director of the Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education (CCARE) at Stanford University, “when organisations promote an ethic of compassion rather than a culture of stress, they may not only see a happier workplace (since a lack of bonding within the workplace has been shown to increase psychological distress, while positive social interactions at work have been shown to boost employee health), but also an improved bottom line.”How can you start a kindness revolution at work?A few things you can do are: Ask people how they are and actually listen to their replySay good morning and / or good night when you arrive and leave each dayBring in baked goods to shareHave a kindness board – where people can share kind things others have done for themSay thank you – to your team, colleagues, suppliers and customersHelp out a colleague when they are stuck on a piece of workSpend time getting to know new staff membersBuy a coffee or make a cup of tea for a co-workerDon’t yell at people when they make a mistakeGive a compliment to a co-workerFocus on the strengths your colleagues bring to work, not their weaknessesWhat are you doing to be kind? And what are some of the small meaningful ways people have been kind to you?I’d love to know. You can connect with me on LinkedIn or Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #thisconnectedlife and tagging me @melkettleIf you enjoyed this podcast, I would love you to subscribe. If you REALLY loved it, please leave me a rating and review on iTunes.

I think I first "met" Dani Valent on Twitter about ten years ago, around the time I first bought a Thermomix. #bestkitchengadgeteverDani describes herself as a writer, eater, traveller and cook. Everything she does is linked by a simple idea: leading people to great food experiences. Like me, Dani is passionate about food because she loves connecting with people, and especially connect with people through food. She believes good food is central to a life well-lived. It’s nourishment and energy. It’s a way to gather – in the field, the market, in the kitchen and at the table. It’s culture, ritual, history and future. It’s art, craft and science. It’s sensual and it can get emotional. With over 20 years’ experience as a food journalist, travel author, recipe developer and authorised Thermomix cookbook writer, she was my first pick for someone to share stories with about food. The only disappointment is that we were unable to find a time to record this over a meal, instead recording from our respective offices in Brisbane and Melbourne.Grab a cuppa and some delicious food, and settle in to listen to Dani Valent.You can connect with Dani via her websites www.danivalent.com. You can also connect with Dani on Twitter and Instagram @danivalent.What Dani Valent and I talked abouther unique skillbeing a restaurant criticone of her favourite stories - talking to a young gay Turkish chefhow food is lovethe culture, the history and connection with traditions around the world across cultures and countriesTinder for restaurantsTravelling alone when you are by yourself travelling so that you can try different foods and dishesPaulie Gee's pizza in BrooklynDanny Myer – Setting the TableRuth Reichl – Garlic and SapphiresHosting a successful eventCelebrity interviewsUpcoming food trendsBuilding meals around one particular ingredientWriting for Lonely PlanetIf you enjoyed this podcast, I would love you to subscribe.You can also connect with me on LinkedIn or Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #thisconnectedlife and tagging me @melkettle.If you REALLY loved it, please leave me a rating and review on iTunes.

Today I’m talking about marketing to women.A lot of people don’t realise that women are responsible for 90% of consumer purchases. Which equates to over $20 TRILLION in global spending.In Australia, women own just over one third of all businesses, and this number is rising. Australian women are also becoming more educated – in 2014 almost 45,000 more women graduated with tertiary qualifications than men.Also, in many households, women are increasingly becoming the main income earners, often earning 2, 3 or 10x what their male partners earn.Women are the biggest contributor to GDP, making purchasing decisions for themselves, and often also for the children and the men in their lives. Yet despite this, many women feel they are misunderstood when it comes to marketing undertaken by many brands and businesses.Don’t assume we’re all the same, don’t assume we’re stupid and please don’t assume we all do all the housework!In this episode I talk about:· A real estate agent who assumed I did the laundry (I don’t)· My excellent experience buying a Weber BBQ· Other assumptions people make when marketing to women· Bic pens for women and Ellen’s takedown – and you can read a few Amazon reviews!· Current trends when marketing to women· Women and social media· eSports and the Fortnite World Cup· a shift from TV to streaming and YouTube· an increase in voice technology· Generating and demonstrating social proofWhat are you doing when it comes to marketing to women?You can connect with me on LinkedIn or twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #thisconnectedlife and tagging me @melkettleOr you can email me – mel@melkettle.comIf you want to talk about how you can collaborate more in your organisation, or you need some support to develop a collaborative team, please get in touch.