Do you ever leave a leadership meeting wishing you’d said something – only to replay it later and think, “Why didn’t I speak up?”

In this solo episode of HR Coffee Time, Fay explores why speaking up in leadership meetings can feel so daunting (even when you know you have something valuable to contribute). She shares practical, realistic ways to build confidence in those moments.

This episode is especially for HR and People professionals who find themselves second-guessing their ideas, worrying about being challenged, or holding back because the meeting feels high-stakes or fast-paced. Drawing on her coaching experience, Fay unpacks strategies to help.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

1. Why imposter feelings often show up more strongly in leadership meetings – and why that does not mean you do not belong there
2. How your nervous system plays a big role in confidence, and simple ways to feel calmer and more grounded in the moment
3. Breathing, grounding, and physical techniques you can use before and during meetings
4. The different kinds of value you bring to leadership conversations – beyond having the “perfect” answer
5. Why you do not need to be the loudest voice in the room to make an impact
6. Practical strategies to make speaking up feel more manageable, including:
7. Setting a small, realistic goal for your contribution
8. Shaping meetings in advance so you are not waiting for the “right moment”
9. Using professional phrases that buy you thinking time
10. How to zoom out and remember that one meeting does not define your credibility
11. Why confidence grows through familiarity and practice – not by forcing yourself to be someone you are not

1. Connect with Fay Wallis on LinkedIn
2. Visit Fay’s website
3. The Essential HR Planner website
4. Learn about Fay’s Inspiring HR Leadership Programme

1. Ep 86: How to stop other people taking credit for your ideas in meetings
2. Build Your Professional Skills - HR Coffee Time Podcast...

The start of a new year is the perfect moment to pause and think differently about goal setting, especially when you work in HR or a people role where expectations, pressure and emotional load can be high.

In this episode, Fay Wallis shares her Triple Win Framework, a practical way to set goals that help HR and people professionals deliver real organisational impact, build career momentum and protect their wellbeing at the same time.

If you want goals that feel motivating, aligned and supportive of your long-term success, this framework offers a clear place to start.

You’ll Hear about:

1. The Triple Win Framework explained
2. Choosing impactful HR goals
3. Aligning goals to organisational strategy
4. Career-enhancing skills that matter
5. Why wellbeing must be a goal

1. The Build Your Professional Skills Playlist
2. Connect with Fay Wallis on LinkedIn
3. Learn About Fay's Inspiring HR Leadership Programme
4. Learn More About The Essential HR Planner

Sign up to the free weekly HR Coffee Time email to be notified each time a new episode is released – and get free career tips, tools, and resources.

Mentioned in this episode:

The Inspiring HR Leadership Programme

Learn more about the Inspiring HR Leadership Programme.

Inspiring HR

Learn More About HR Coffee Time's Sponsor - Personio

Personio

Before we all sprint into 2026, I wanted to create this bonus episode to encourage you to pause and reflect on the year that's just passed. In it, I work my way through the 10 'Look Back to Look Forward' questions from the Essential HR Planner and share my own honest answers - including the achievements I'm proud of, the challenges I faced, what I learned, and the moments that shaped my year both personally and professionally.

This episode includes reflections on expanding the Inspiring HR Leadership Programme, navigating the realities of running a business, experimenting with video, taking a long break from the podcast, and working through some unexpected moments of vulnerability along the way. My hope is that by sharing my experience, you'll feel encouraged to complete the exercise yourself and head into 2026 with more clarity and intention.

1. The Essential HR Planner
2. The free HR Leadership Impact Assessment
3. Read the full blog version of my reflections
4. Connect with me on LinkedIn
5. Learn more about theInspiring HR Leadership Programme

Be notified each time a new episode of HR Coffee Time is released and get access to other free career tips, tools and resources by signing up to receive the free weekly HR Coffee Time email.

Mentioned in this episode:

The Inspiring HR Leadership Programme

Learn more about the Inspiring HR Leadership Programme.

Inspiring HR

Learn More About HR Coffee Time's Sponsor - Personio

Personio

5 Brilliant HR Books That Deserve a Spot Under Your Christmas Tree!

If you work in HR and you’re not sure what to ask for this Christmas – or you’d love to buy a thoughtful, genuinely useful gift for an HR colleague – this episode is for you.

Fay Wallis shares five brilliant HR book recommendations she’s read this year. Each one supports HR professionals in a slightly different way – from building resilience and confidence, to shaping culture, developing better people practices, and setting yourself up for a successful year at work.

All of the books recommended are practical, thoughtful, and grounded in real HR challenges.

1. The Little Book of HR Resilience: Practical Strategies for Busy People Professionals – Dr Felicity Baker & Dr Jo Burrell
2. The HR Confidence Playbook: The essential guide to being seen, heard, and respected in HR - by Kirsty Baggs-Morgan
3. Work Rules!: Insights from Inside Google That Will Transform How You Live and Lead - by Laszlo Bock
4. Let’s Talk Culture: The conversations you need to create the team you want - by Shane Michael Hatton
5. The Essential HR Planner – by Fay Wallis

1. Connect with Fay Wallis on LinkedIn
2. Visit Fay’s website
3. Learn about Fay’sInspiring HR leadership development programme

1. Ep 35: Helping Teams Thrive with Personal User Manuals
2. Ep 123: Avoid Burnout - How to Spot Signs Of Stress & Take Action (with Dr Jo Burrell)
3. Ep 146: Lessons in HR Leadership: How to Succeed as a Chief People Officer: (with John Scrooby)

Sign up to the free weekly HR Coffee Time email to be notified each time a new episode is released – and get free career tips, tools, and resources.

Mentioned in this episode:

Inspiring HR Leadership Programme

Build your confidence,...

What’s the best way to land your first Chief People Officer or CHRO role?

In this episode, Fay Wallis breaks down the four most common routes that real CPOs have taken to step into the top people leadership job for the very first time. You’ll also hear short clips from several CPO guests who generously shared their stories and insights.

You’ll hear about:

1. Four routes into first CPO roles
2. Internal discussions leading to job title changes
3. Being headhunted by executive recruiters
4. Strengthening your LinkedIn profile
5. Applying directly for senior HR roles
6. Preparing for high-level interviews
7. Pitching for promotion with a business case

1. Connect with Fay Wallis on LinkedIn
2. Visit Fay’s website
3. Learn about Fay’sInspiring HR leadership development programme
4. Buy a copy of The Essential HR Planner

1. Ep 31:3 little-known LinkedIn features which will help you get your next job
2. Ep 106:7 types of posts to share on LinkedIn that will help your HR career
3. Ep 149: The CPO Job Application That Worked, Strategic vs Operational HR, and Why Compassion Matters (with Funmi Onamusi):
4. Audio link:https://brightskyhr.co.uk/hr-coffee-time-podcast/149/
5. YouTube link:https://youtu.be/n-zYslILExc?si=dIJFbWDgo2SWlcUz
6. Ep 154: Step-by-Step Career Advice to become a successful CHRO/CPO (with Nicola Lyons):
7. Audio link:https://brightskyhr.co.uk/hr-coffee-time-podcast/154/
8. YouTube link:

If the idea of improving your business acumen feels intimidating, this episode will help make it feel achievable and clear. Host, Fay Wallis, breaks down what business acumen really means for HR and why it has nothing to do with being “naturally commercial” and everything to do with curiosity, awareness and understanding how your organisation works.

To make building business acumen feel even more practical, Fay brings in insights from three recent Chief People Officer guests: Kanika Mehra, Jane Beeston and Dotty Day. Although each appeared on the show to share their experiences of becoming a CPO, their advice applies to every stage of an HR career.

By the end, you’ll walk away with clear, actionable steps you can start using straight away. And one of the three tips might surprise you.

Ready to make business acumen feel less daunting? It’s simpler than you think.

You’ll hear about:

• What business acumen really means
• Why curiosity beats expertise
• Understanding customers and service users
• Getting involved outside HR
• Learning from Finance colleagues
• Questions to ask your finance team
• Ways to grow confidence with numbers

• Connect with Fay Wallis on LinkedIn
• Visit Fay’s website
• Learn about Fay’sInspiring HR leadership development programme
• Learn more aboutThe Essential HR Planner

• Ep 147 with Kanika Mehra:How to Become a Successful Chief People Officer: Insider Insights(Audio version)
• Ep 147 with Kanika Mehra:How to Become a Successful Chief People Officer: Insider Insights(Video version)
• Ep 148 with Jane Beeston:Skills That Shape a Great CPO: Communication, Coaching & Curiosity(Audio version)
• Ep 148 with Jane Beeston:Skills That Shape a Great CPO: Communication, Coaching & Curiosity(Video version)
• Ep 151 with Dotty Day:Could an Interim CPO/CHRO Role Be Your Perfect Career Option?(Audio version)
• Ep 151 with Dotty Day:Could an Interim CPO/CHRO Role Be Your Perfect Career Option?(Video version)

Sign up to the free weekly HR Coffee Time email to be notified each time a new episode is released – and get free career tips, tools, and resources.

Mentioned in this episode:

The Inspiring HR Leadership Programme

Learn more about the Inspiring HR Leadership Programme.

Inspiring HR

If you’ve ever wondered what truly separates an HR Director from a Chief People Officer (CPO) or CHRO, you’re not alone. It’s a common question, and after months of speaking with incredible CPOs for this series, a powerful theme kept coming up again and again.

In this episode of HR Coffee Time, host Fay Wallis shares the one big difference that defines the step up, a shift that’s far more about mindset and perspective than job title. You’ll hear clips from Chief People Officers including John Scrooby, Dotty Day, Lorna Bains, Dr Andy Stephenson, and Nebel Crowhurst as they describe what changed for them when they made the move.

Fay also shares a monster truck analogy that brings this transformation to life, from leading your HR function to steering the entire business. Whether you’re already operating at that level or preparing for the next step, this episode will help you see what it really means to become a business leader, not just a people leader.

Join us for reassurance and advice on making that leap.

You’ll Hear about:

• The defining difference between HR Director and CPO roles
• Why the CPO role is about leading the business
• A monster truck analogy that brings the concept to life
• Insights from five experienced Chief People Officers
• How to start developing business acumen for your next step

• Connect with Fay Wallis on LinkedIn
• Visit Fay’s website
• Learn about Fay’s Inspiring HR leadership development programme

• Episode 146 with John Scrooby - Lessons in HR Leadership: How to Succeed as a Chief People Officer
• Episode 151 with Dotty Day – Could an Interim CPO/CHRO Role Be Your Perfect Career Option?
• Episode 153 with Lorna Bains – Inside the Fractional CPO/CHRO Role – What It Involves & How to Succeed
• Episode 155 with Dr Andrew Stephenson – The Mindset, Skills & Plan to Become a Successful Chief People Officer
• Episode 156 with Nebel Crowhurst – Why Chief People Officers Need Strong Networks (And How to Build Yours)

Sign up to the free weekly HR Coffee Time email to be notified each time a new episode is released – and get free career tips, tools, and resources.

Mentioned in this episode:

The Inspiring HR Leadership Programme

Learn more about the Inspiring HR Leadership Programme.

Inspiring HR

Why do Chief People Officers need strong networks — and how can you build one that truly supports you?

In this episode of HR Coffee Time, host Fay Wallis is joined by Nebel Crowhurst, who’s featured on the HR Most Influential list several years running and has held senior roles with Virgin, River Island, Roche, and Reward Gateway.

Nebel talks about the realities of being a CPO — the highs, the pressures, and how she protects her wellbeing — along with brilliant advice on building your own community of support (even if you find networking uncomfortable).

• The key differences between being an HR Director and a Chief People Officer.
• How to protect your boundaries and wellbeing in a demanding role.
• What it means to be a business leader, not just a functional one.
• How to reframe networking into “building your community.”
• Practical tips for creating and nurturing a supportive network.

Nebel also explains her move into fractional CPO work, what it involves, and why this model is becoming increasingly popular in growing organisations.

• Ep 11: Networking – the three most important networks for your career
• Ep 16: How to become more confident about networking
• Ep 90: How a Personal Board can help solve your challenges at work
• Ep 153: Inside the Fractional CPO/CHRO Role – what it involves and how to succeed

• Connect with Fay on LinkedIn
• Connect with Nebel on LinkedIn
• Fay's website
• Nebel’s website
• Nebel’s LinkedIn article:The Rise of The Fractional CPO
• Emotional Intelligence qualification mentioned: EQ-i 2.0 (via MHS Assessments)
• HR Leaders Unconference

Sign up to the free weekly HR Coffee Time email to be notified each time a new episode is released – and get free career tips, tools, and resources.

Mentioned in this episode:

The Inspiring HR Leadership Programme

Learn more about the Inspiring HR Leadership Programme.

Inspiring HR