<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[Nicola Hale People Consulting]]></title><description><![CDATA[Leadership, People and Culture Consultancy]]></description><link>https://www.nicolahale.co.uk/blog</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Sat, 04 Jul 2026 18:59:16 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.theballast.co.uk/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[ The Hidden Cost of a Bad Hire]]></title><description><![CDATA[In smaller and growing businesses, every hire matters. One misstep can have a disproportionate impact …. not just on performance, but on...]]></description><link>https://www.theballast.co.uk/post/the-hidden-cost-of-a-bad-hire</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68e4bcb56ca2133a56e6df13</guid><pubDate>Tue, 07 Oct 2025 07:10:36 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator>nicola19663</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Fractional People News!]]></title><description><![CDATA[We’re growing—driven by market needs and customer demand. Whether you're scaling fast without the infrastructure to match, navigating...]]></description><link>https://www.theballast.co.uk/post/fractional-people-news</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68e17f736ca2133a56e55d8b</guid><pubDate>Sat, 04 Oct 2025 20:14:47 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator>nicola19663</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Where I Do My Best Work]]></title><description><![CDATA[It comes as no surprise that many of the leaders I work with are those navigating significant transitions—whether stepping into a new...]]></description><link>https://www.theballast.co.uk/post/where-i-do-my-best-work</link><guid isPermaLink="false">67dea44d880160b8be0ca526</guid><pubDate>Sat, 22 Mar 2025 11:57:10 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator>nicola19663</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[I blinked and it was over!]]></title><description><![CDATA[Where did January go?! I blinked, and it was over. I know for some, January feels like 41 days, not 31—so if that opening line made you...]]></description><link>https://www.theballast.co.uk/post/i-blinked-and-it-was-over</link><guid isPermaLink="false">679dda75a03a49258d9f8c43</guid><pubDate>Sat, 01 Feb 2025 08:29:50 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/03821e_cb1d15fa07cc4b60826990b13b40c13d~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>nicola19663</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Mirror We All Need: Leadership and the Power of Reflection]]></title><description><![CDATA[We've all heard that breaking a mirror brings seven years of bad luck. But in twenty years of working with leaders, I've learnt that the...]]></description><link>https://www.theballast.co.uk/post/the-mirror-we-all-need-leadership-and-the-power-of-reflection</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6745bf49ab2e23aa5731a469</guid><pubDate>Tue, 26 Nov 2024 13:06:58 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/03821e_dc9a0fe34a214abf9e35110cee4f81a9~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>nicola19663</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Organising thoughts and feelings on migration]]></title><description><![CDATA[Brexit. Love it or hate it. I wasn’t in favour, and I’m still not. But it was a democratic decision, and collectively, we chose it. For...]]></description><link>https://www.theballast.co.uk/post/organising-thoughts-and-feelings-on-migration</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6739e5c35497720c0a3fc81f</guid><pubDate>Sun, 17 Nov 2024 12:55:30 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/03821e_43632526c2b34bcbaf06a0dadcd53868~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>nicola19663</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Dance like nobody is watching]]></title><description><![CDATA[Last week I had the pleasure of seeing Bruce Springsteen at Wembley and witnessed a man completely lost in the music, dancing with sheer...]]></description><link>https://www.theballast.co.uk/post/dance-like-nobody-is-watching</link><guid isPermaLink="false">66ab42703f8fd2353d26f059</guid><pubDate>Thu, 01 Aug 2024 08:19:45 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/03821e_f535dbf9fb274a17a13c08239b5d2e50~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>nicola19663</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Keep on keeping on!]]></title><description><![CDATA[I went to see a tribute band this weekend and was delighted to find out we had front-row seats (lucky us, lol). And they only cost £20!...]]></description><link>https://www.theballast.co.uk/post/keep-on-keeping-on</link><guid isPermaLink="false">666f1a7587ba4859ea6153cc</guid><pubDate>Sun, 16 Jun 2024 17:04:16 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/03821e_10b14919f7ed4f509ed21a7ca43c8df5~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>nicola19663</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[A Call to Reverse the Decline of Workplace Friendships!]]></title><description><![CDATA[I recently came across an article about the changing landscape of work dynamics, and it left me feeling a bit melancholic. The article...]]></description><link>https://www.theballast.co.uk/post/a-call-to-reverse-the-decline-of-workplace-friendships</link><guid isPermaLink="false">662d648a8dbc383950a36f67</guid><pubDate>Sat, 27 Apr 2024 20:54:49 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/03821e_854c1ea977844655b65d13c804d0f25b~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>nicola19663</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Leadership Lessons Gained from my Month of Jogging a Mile per Day]]></title><description><![CDATA[In the hustle and bustle of daily life, finding time for personal development can often be a challenge. However, sometimes the most...]]></description><link>https://www.theballast.co.uk/post/leadership-lessons-gained-from-my-month-of-jogging-a-mile-per-day</link><guid isPermaLink="false">660111613a75511291a667c7</guid><pubDate>Tue, 02 Apr 2024 07:16:49 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/03821e_f0c6ddb7bda74d44aef63149290b045e~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>nicola19663</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[From Rescue to Resilience: Finding Hope in Unexpected Places]]></title><description><![CDATA[It’s about time I introduced you to my furry inspiration, Annie!  Our little rescue cat reminds me that even in your darkest moments,...]]></description><link>https://www.theballast.co.uk/post/from-rescue-to-resilience-finding-hope-in-unexpected-places</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6604291296d40601bb103f95</guid><pubDate>Wed, 27 Mar 2024 14:16:26 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/03821e_2848cf91863d449081cdaef40e83ed96~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>nicola19663</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Reflections on the Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce 'Growth through People' Conference ]]></title><description><![CDATA[At the recent Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce 'Growth through People' conference, the resounding message echoed by every speaker...]]></description><link>https://www.theballast.co.uk/post/reflections-on-the-greater-birmingham-chamber-of-commerce-growth-through-people-conference</link><guid isPermaLink="false">65fda45126fc51552ca615a4</guid><pubDate>Fri, 22 Mar 2024 15:34:53 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/03821e_d799ed0eb5eb4869bd0277786b1773cc~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>nicola19663</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Not every great story needs an ending!]]></title><description><![CDATA[I don’t watch a lot of TV but I really look forward to watching New Lives in the Wild with Ben Fogle. In each episode the stories are...]]></description><link>https://www.theballast.co.uk/post/not-every-great-story-needs-an-ending</link><guid isPermaLink="false">65e70167bc35206e918cab05</guid><pubDate>Tue, 05 Mar 2024 11:27:57 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/03821e_6e978dd6c6444459a4103ee58bc371e3~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_800,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>nicola19663</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Develop the person not the player. ]]></title><description><![CDATA[Yesterday I attended a talk by Kidderminster Harriers FC Academy Coach Luke Astley at the Aggborough Stadium. Luke spoke with passion...]]></description><link>https://www.theballast.co.uk/post/develop-the-person-not-the-player</link><guid isPermaLink="false">65e043fa203ab78dc92bcd45</guid><pubDate>Thu, 29 Feb 2024 08:46:59 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/03821e_abb168111a764046986889a221410c26~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_320,h_240,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>nicola19663</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Golf: it'll be a life's work!]]></title><description><![CDATA[Last year I was talked in to having a few golf lessons.  This turned into 12 lessons, new shoes, golf clubs (second hand of course), a...]]></description><link>https://www.theballast.co.uk/post/leadership</link><guid isPermaLink="false">65ca1ea4563918dd4903b135</guid><pubDate>Tue, 20 Feb 2024 14:38:49 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/03821e_72e0e9b048714b03b177572156078f64~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_240,h_320,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>nicola19663</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Employees and leaders waste hours and hours each week in meetings! ]]></title><description><![CDATA[On average, employees spend at least 3 hours a week in meetings. However, the exact amount of time wasted can vary based on factors like...]]></description><link>https://www.theballast.co.uk/post/employees-and-leaders-waste-hours-and-hours-each-week-in-meetings</link><guid isPermaLink="false">65c5ffffa4d654b04301f833</guid><pubDate>Fri, 09 Feb 2024 10:35:51 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator>nicola19663</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[What's your superpower?]]></title><description><![CDATA[One of the most challenging aspects of moving to self-employment so far has been describing more clearly what my point of difference is....]]></description><link>https://www.theballast.co.uk/post/what-s-your-superpower</link><guid isPermaLink="false">65ba1d37dd991d1cdd73cef8</guid><pubDate>Wed, 31 Jan 2024 10:51:48 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/03821e_4ecf672006304984a5292d565648dce8~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_396,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>nicola19663</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[An eventful few days]]></title><description><![CDATA[Sometimes seemingly unconnected things happen in parallel and you can't help but take notice. I've just taken a few days off.  We went...]]></description><link>https://www.theballast.co.uk/post/an-eventful-few-days</link><guid isPermaLink="false">65707dc2c93d2272bca358b2</guid><pubDate>Thu, 07 Dec 2023 07:47:50 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/03821e_f5a40213546d42d1a336d3b06583f0d0~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>nicola19663</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Who doesn't love a Vitamin D fix!]]></title><description><![CDATA[You can't fail to have noticed that winter has truly arrived.  It's been dark, cold and mostly wet. Most people find this grim, me...]]></description><link>https://www.theballast.co.uk/post/who-doesn-t-love-a-vitamin-d-fix</link><guid isPermaLink="false">656201480c292b49f6b9ad6e</guid><pubDate>Mon, 27 Nov 2023 08:26:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/03821e_e57adfe9f836411eaec3d11fa67fca45~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>nicola19663</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Lessons from Barney ]]></title><description><![CDATA[Barney can certainly teach us all a thing or two about about resilience. Two weeks ago today he was attacked by another dog whilst I...]]></description><link>https://www.theballast.co.uk/post/lessons-from-barney</link><guid isPermaLink="false">655dcde6b978f3496817a212</guid><pubDate>Wed, 22 Nov 2023 09:50:48 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/03821e_6a9f8dba02a84180961495ff6e83e7da~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>nicola19663</dc:creator></item></channel></rss>