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Thoughts from the dance floor
Culture, engagement, leadership and wellbeing, without the corporate nonsense.
These articles share best-practice guidance and were correct on the date they were published. Employment law and guidance change, so if you're dealing with a specific situation, get in touch and we can talk it through.
44 posts shown
16 Aug 2026 · Managing people · Culture and wellbeingCasual contracts, fixed terms, and the changes coming in 2027 Every organisation I work with has a flexible workforce holding something important together. The sessional youth worker. The bank staff who cover the rota when someone calls in sick. The project coordinator on a 2-year contract, because 2 years is exactly how long the funding...
27 Jul 2026 · Policies and the law · Culture and wellbeingHelping your people actually take their holiday Every organisation has a rhythm to it, busy spells, quiet spells, the steady beat of the everyday. Rest is part of that rhythm, not a pause in the music. When people take their holiday properly, they come back sharper, kinder and more able to do their best...
15 Jun 2026 · Policies and the law · Managing people · Culture and wellbeingA plain-English guide for managers, and a gentle nudge that the rules are moving Think about your team for a moment. Chances are you've got a few different generations sitting alongside each other, maybe a Boomer who sees work as identity and loyalty, a Gen X-er who quietly hates unnecessary process, a Millennial...
25 May 2026 · Managing people · Culture and wellbeingThere's a moment, in any management relationship, when you first notice that something isn't quite right. A deadline slips. A piece of work comes back rougher than you expected. A meeting feels off. You file it away, we all have bad weeks, and you wait to see if it settles. Sometimes it does....
28 Apr 2026 · Managing people · Culture and wellbeing · Inclusion and accessibilityEvery dancer knows that pushing through pain rarely ends well. You tweak your ankle, ignore it, and what might have been a week on the sofa turns into six weeks on the physio table. The same is true in the workplace. When we don’t pay attention to how our people are doing, and when...
22 Mar 2026 · Managing people · Culture and wellbeingThink about the very first time you stepped onto a dance floor. Not the polished, performance-ready version of you, the real first time. Slightly nervous, not quite sure where to put your hands, hoping nobody's watching too closely and desperately trying to remember which foot goes first. Starting a new job is exactly like...
23 Feb 2026 · Managing people · Culture and wellbeingLet’s be honest, in purpose-led and charity roles, “that’s not my job” is not something you hear often. People step in, step up, and stretch themselves daily because the mission matters. When funding is tight, teams are lean, and needs are high, everyone ends up wearing 3 hats and balancing a tray of spinning...
26 Jan 2026 · Managing people · Culture and wellbeingMost organisations recruit individuals. Humans. With personalities, motivations, off-days, great days, quirks, brilliance and blind spots. And yet… somewhere between induction and month six, those individuals quietly merge into a mysterious amorphous entity called “staff”. You’ll recognise the moment. A passive-aggressive group email lands. “Just a reminder to everyone…” “We’ve noticed some issues…” “Can I...
28 Dec 2025 · Managing people · Culture and wellbeingLine manager development that fits real working life Let’s start with a truth most line managers don’t say out loud: They care deeply about their people… and they are absolutely knackered. Line managers are carrying more than ever. They’re expected to handle complex people issues, keep teams motivated, stay on top of employment law, manage...
09 Nov 2025 · Culture and wellbeingSummary As 2025 draws to a close, here at The People Choreographer® we are reflecting on a year that’s been equal parts waltz and quickstep. From plans that didn’t go to plan, to moments of unexpected brilliance, we explore how adaptability, communication and courage in conversation are the real stars of any workplace performance. Dancing...
22 Oct 2025 · Policies and the law · Managing people · Culture and wellbeingThis autumn marks 5 years since I launched The People Choreographer®. 5 years of helping organisations step onto the dance floor of work with more inclusion, integrity and daring. To celebrate, I wanted to look beyond my own steps and listen to the wider routine. So, I ran 3 short surveys, for employees, for employers...
20 Sep 2025 · Managing people · Culture and wellbeingSomehow, we’ve blinked and we are nearly in October. The mornings are cooler, the evenings darker, and the final quarter of the year is in full swing. It’s tempting to think there’s still plenty of time left before the new year, but for organisations, October is a critical month. Why? Because October isn’t just...
17 Aug 2025 · Policies and the law · Managing people · Culture and wellbeingThis September marks 5 years since I started The People Choreographer … 5 years of working with brilliant, purpose-led organisations to make workplaces better. And while I’m celebrating what’s been achieved, I’m also looking forward. I want to know what you think the world of work should look like in 2030 , so I’ve created...
28 Jul 2025 · Culture and wellbeing5 Years in Business: What a Ride! At the start of September, I’ll be celebrating 5 years of running my own business. 5 years since I stepped away from the RNLI. 5 years since the world flipped upside down in 2020, and I found myself learning to navigate everything from working through a pandemic to...
30 Jun 2025 · Culture and wellbeingRedesigning my Staff Handbook packages with inclusion (and realism) in mind There’s a certain irony in how long it’s taken me to get this blog written. Because the truth is, despite being someone who helps other organisations get their people policies sorted, updating and redesigning my own Colleague Handbook packages has been… well, a journey....
25 May 2025 · Policies and the law · Culture and wellbeingWhy Job Evaluation is the Choreography Your Organisation Needs 🎶 Imagine your organisation as a stage production. The lights are up, the curtain is drawn, and your people are mid-performance. Some are doing the Charleston, others the Cha Cha and one or two are freestyling entirely. The music's picking up pace, because your organisation...
26 Apr 2025 · Policies and the law · Culture and wellbeing · Inclusion and accessibilityLike many in the HR and EDI community, I am deeply disappointed by the recent UK Supreme Court ruling which confirms that, for the purposes of the Equality Act 2010, the term “sex” refers to biological sex, not gender identity. For transgender people, this ruling is more than just a legal clarification, it...
25 Apr 2025 · Managing people · Culture and wellbeingLet’s face it: starting a new job can feel a bit like stepping onto the dance floor for the first time. You’ve nailed the audition (or the interview), you’ve dressed for the part (hello, first-day nerves), and now you are front and centre of the stage, trying not to trip over your own feet during...
26 Mar 2025 · Policies and the law · Inclusion and accessibilityLet’s be honest, sequels can be a bit hit or miss. Some are legendary improvements (think The Godfather Part II), while others… well, we’d rather forget they happened. But when it comes to Version 2 of The Colleague Handbook, I’m confident this is the kind of sequel that learns from the past, keeps what worked, and...
02 Mar 2025 · Managing people · Culture and wellbeing · Inclusion and accessibilityImagine turning up to a dance rehearsal where no one knows the routine, the music keeps changing, and the lead dancer insists on freestyling. Chaos, right? Well, that’s what happens when teams try to work together without clarity and a shared understanding. Sometimes referred to a team charter or team canvas, but in People Choreographer...
03 Feb 2025 · Managing people · Culture and wellbeing · Inclusion and accessibilityImagine your organisation as a dazzling dance floor. The spotlights are on, the music is playing, and everyone is watching. Your employees? They’re the performers. The choreography? That’s your company culture. It’s a delicate dance, and when done right, it’s a showstopper. But when it’s wrong? Well, think of it as a dancer slipping on...
06 Jan 2025 · Managing people · Culture and wellbeing · Inclusion and accessibilityThe recent revelations about Greg Wallace and the complaints of sexual harassment lodged against him over his TV career expose a pattern that’s all too familiar. Organisations and industries shielding “talent” at all costs, even when their behaviour is as out of step as someone trying to enforce the ‘okie cokie’ at a ballet recital....
On Friday, November 22nd, I experienced what can only be described as the best day ever, a fitting finale to ten incredible weeks of dance training with my fabulous partner, Jazz. Taking part in Business Come Dancing at The Hilton Hotel in Bournemouth wasn’t just a way to support an amazing charity such as Pavilion Dance...
01 Nov 2024 · Policies and the law · Managing peopleAh, governance. The word alone is enough to make some people’s eyes glaze over, their minds drifting to thoughts of watching paint dry or tackling their inbox. But wait! What if I told you that governance is a lot like... dancing? Yes, that’s right, folks, when done right, governance is the perfect tango of rules, regulations,...
27 Sep 2024 · Policies and the law · Managing people · Culture and wellbeingIn the world of work, everyone’s looking for a competitive edge, an innovative way to move with agility, finesse, and rhythm. Some turn to analytics, others to hard-nosed leadership... and then there’s us. We dance our way to success. No, seriously. In our world, work is a performance where strategy is the theme tune, governance is...
16 Sep 2024 · Managing people · Culture and wellbeingImagine this: You’re on a crowded dance floor, the lights dim, and the music starts to play. You're excited, ready to bust out some killer moves, but there's one tiny problem, you’re dancing with someone who has two left feet. Oops! Suddenly, your cha-cha turns into a chaotic conga, and that graceful waltz you envisioned? Yeah,...
28 Jun 2024 · Policies and the law · Culture and wellbeingIn the ever-evolving dance of work and life, flexible working has emerged as a leading partner, guiding us through the complexities of modern employment. Just as dance brings fluidity, balance, and creativity to movement, flexible working introduces harmony, adaptability, and innovation into our professional lives. The benefits are profound, extending beyond mere convenience to enhance...
29 Apr 2024 · Managing people · Culture and wellbeingWelcome to the grand ballroom of feedback, where every step counts, and every misstep is an opportunity to improve! In the workplace, giving and receiving feedback is like dancing; it requires coordination, rhythm, and sometimes, a bit of humour to keep things light and enjoyable. So, let's put on our dancing shoes and waltz through...
01 Apr 2024 · Managing people · Culture and wellbeingIn the intricate world of work, where every move counts, managing employee performance stands as the cornerstone of organisational success. Much like a finely choreographed dance performance, effective management of employees requires harmony, precision, and a deep understanding of each individual's strengths and contributions. Just as a skilled choreographer orchestrates movements to create a mesmerising...
29 Feb 2024 · Managing people · Culture and wellbeingIn the bustling world of employment, where the dance floor of the workplace beckons, it's essential to ensure that every dancer fits the rhythm of the organisational waltz. Just like a rigorous audition process in a dance competition, the probation period for employees serves as a crucial phase, where both the employer and the employee...
01 Feb 2024 · Managing people · Culture and wellbeingOnboarding a new employee is much like teaching someone to dance. Just as in a dance, where rhythm, coordination, and understanding the steps are crucial for a seamless performance, a successful onboarding process requires a similar blend of precision, communication, and cultural awareness. In this blog, I'll explore how adopting the same approach as if...
03 Jan 2024 · Managing people · Culture and wellbeing · Inclusion and accessibilityDance is about how movement is used to communicate ideas, feelings, motivations and experiences. It is rhythmic, it flows and has purpose. When a dance is being choreographed, it is broken down into five essential elements: body, action, space, time and energy. Recruitment processes can resemble an intricate dance, weaving through the stages of finding...
02 Nov 2023 · Culture and wellbeingYou know I’m called The People Choreographer … well I promise you it’s a lot easier (for me AND for you) to choreograph people who are happy, who want to be at work and feel valued and appreciated for the work that they do, compared to those who don’t have that positive work experience. There...
25 Sep 2023 · Managing people · Inclusion and accessibilityDo you want to improve equity, diversity and inclusion in your workplace? But maybe you aren’t sure where to begin? Let’s run through what ‘equity, diversity and inclusion in the workplace’ means and what it should look like, then some ways to continue improving these aspects of your company culture. What do we mean by...
18 May 2023 · Managing people · Culture and wellbeing · Inclusion and accessibilityDogs are not just cool little creatures to hang out with, they can also teach you a thing or two. I am currently in Tenerife dog sitting for a lovely lady called Eileen whilst she goes on holiday. As I've settled into my dog sitting duties, it's been very important to remember the main objective...
20 Sep 2022 · Managing people · Culture and wellbeing · Inclusion and accessibilityFriday 23rd September sees the start of this year’s Strictly Come Dancing* and I for one can’t wait. This is not just because I love the dancers, judges, theatrics, costumes, and Claudia Winkelman’s fringe; it’s because I now get to watch it and call it research. This weekend I checked out some of the notes...
14 Aug 2022 · Managing people · Culture and wellbeing · Inclusion and accessibilityIn this blog I explore: The impact of working in a toxic environment What you can do if you are an employee who is impacted by this What organisations could be doing to combat this. I’ve been having far too many conversations recently and reading far too many posts from people who are working in...
10 Jan 2022 · Inclusion and accessibilityDo you ever look back and wonder how you’ve ended up where you are? Three years ago, I was facing life without my beloved dad as he was in the final weeks of his life after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer only a month previously. I couldn’t imagine my life without him; he was my...
06 Aug 2021 · Managing people · Culture and wellbeing · Inclusion and accessibilityThe COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant effect on everyone. Not only has it made us concerned about our physical health, but it has also made us much more aware of our mental health. 56% of adults in the UK reported feeling stressed or anxious during the pandemic, which is a significant rise compared to...
07 Jun 2021 · Managing peopleThe start of June marks National Volunteers Week which is a great opportunity to celebrate the incredible contribution made by volunteers to our communities and society. The past year has been far from easy, with our world falling into a long period of isolation and struggle. So many wonderful individuals either through organisations or creating...
26 Nov 2020 · Policies and the law · Managing people · Culture and wellbeing · Inclusion and accessibilityThere is still a train of thought that needs challenging in some organisations where the best way of working is the traditional way. Monday to Friday, 9 to 5, or in lots of cases beyond this. It’s concerning that presenteeism still factors as an issue in some organisations, and stripes need to be earned with...
06 Nov 2020 · Policies and the law · Managing people · Culture and wellbeingI will be running a free webinar sharing my own experience of being made redundant, as well as my advice on how to set yourself up to get your next role at 16.00 on Thursday 26th November. To book your spot, please email me on rachel@redfeatherconsulting.co.uk Whilst Rishi Sunak announced this week, the extension of...
27 Oct 2020 · Policies and the law · Culture and wellbeingFor those people that have worked from home or remotely for many years, the benefits are well known including the lack of commute and more flexibility which in turn promotes a better work life balance, not to mention the pure joy of getting to hang out with your dogs all day. The government recommendation to...
13 Oct 2020 · Managing people · Culture and wellbeingIt’s that time of year again. The annual performance appraisal. Something that historically I always felt was a purposeful, value adding activity. However, I have become more sceptical over time and this year more than ever, I feel that it’s worth reviewing the overall purpose of them. How many objectives that were set in January...