I was tidying my office space at the weekend when I came across some notes I’d taken from Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman. This book explores how we use our time, not from a place of frantic productivity but from a calm acceptance of our limits, known as ‘finitude’.

If we live to be eighty years old, we’ll have had around four thousand weeks on the earth.

One idea that really struck me was the recommendation to have only three active projects at any one time. It’s a gentle but powerful reminder that we simply can’t do everything at once – and that’s OK.

As leaders, we sometimes overload our teams without realising it. 

Providing clarity on the top priorities is empathetic, and helps everyone stay focused, reduces stress, and makes progress feel more achievable.

I’ll admit, I’m sometimes guilty of assigning random tasks without providing much context. But I’m learning that it’s far more helpful – for my team and me – if we all know what the main priorities are.

Sometimes, we’ll have more than three projects on the go, but Burkeman’s recommendation is a reminder to put first things first.

Maybe there’s something here for you too?

INSPIRE INCLUSION: AVOID OVERWHELM AND EMPOWER YOUR TEAMS

Another takeaway from Burkeman’s book is the idea of breaking big projects into manageable chunks. That feels particularly relevant in the world of inclusion, where it can often feel like we’re fighting battles on multiple fronts.

When we focus on what’s within our sphere of influence and decide where we can make the greatest impact, we’re more likely to stay motivated and avoid burnout.

This month, I had the pleasure of speaking at Pinterest’s EMEA HQ in Dublin as part of their Women’s Month celebrations. I discussed how to ‘Create a Speak-Up Culture: Encourage, Empower, Evolve!’

The event took place on a single day in Dublin, NYC and San Francisco, as well as being streamed to offices around the globe.  

Pinterest’s continued investment in DEI is a reminder that there are still many organisations doing the work and doing it well. From their beautifully designed office spaces to the energy and focus of their Women@ team, it was clear that inclusion and belonging is still very much a priority.

If you’re looking for a relevant read, this article may offer some encouragement. It discusses the power of micro-inclusion with suggestions for teams, managers and leaders. https://hbr.org/2024/12/the-power-of-small-acts-of-inclusion

Providing your teams with practical inclusion strategies is not only good for business, it’s also uplifting and invigorating.

After giving a talk on this topic just last week for consulting firm AHEAD, I was grateful to hear positive feedback such as ‘I needed to hear this right now’ and ‘This session has energised me no end’.

It’s a timely reminder of the importance of empowering people to do this work.

WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING BEHIND THE SCENES?

Earlier in the year, I did a lot of long-haul travel for work, and I was feeling a bit burned out. So when another event came up in London, much as I wanted to attend and speak, I made the call to prioritise my wellbeing and respectfully declined.

Instead, I took extra time in Dublin to recharge, catch up with an old friend from my university days, and enjoy a bit of downtime. And of course, I also delivered the keynote at Pinterest – a highlight!

I’m also excited to be kicking off a leadership programme with a large telecoms and media company here in the UK, focused on empathetic management. Over the next few months, my team and I will be working with many hundreds (possibly thousands!) of their leaders. 

It’s an ambitious project, and I’m thrilled to be part of it.

Meanwhile, progress on my next book continues! If you’d like to help shape the content, I’d love your input.

I’ll be focusing on empathy-led communication and providing frameworks to support readers during presentations, meetings and 1:1s.

I’d love to know:

What are your biggest challenges when it comes to workplace communication?

If you have a minute to spare, please complete this quick survey. Your input is truly appreciated!! 

COMMUNICATION CORNER: GIVE THE GIFT OF RECOGNITION

Another of Burkeman’s ideas is the “done list” – a running tally of what you’ve achieved, rather than what’s still on your to-do list. It’s such a simple shift, but one that creates momentum and a sense of accomplishment.

In a team context, this can be a powerful communication tool. How often do we acknowledge what’s already been completed before diving into what’s next? 

Regular recognition – even just a quick “thank you” or shoutout – can boost morale and reinforce a culture of appreciation.

A recent survey by Nectar HR found that 77.9% of employees say they would be more productive if they received more frequent praise and recognition in the workplace.

So, if you’re looking for a tidy way to praise and recognise your colleagues, why not try this GIFT framework?

GIFT Framework for Recognition

• G – Genuine: Be sincere in your praise. Avoid generic compliments – speak from the heart so your recognition feels authentic.
• I – Immediate: Give recognition as close to the event or achievement as possible. Timely feedback is more impactful and reinforces the behaviour.
• F – Focused: Be specific about what the person did and why it mattered. “Great job” is nice, but “Your clear slides really helped the team understand the strategy” is far more effective.
• T – Tied to values/goals: Link the recognition to a team or organisational value. This reinforces the behaviour you want to see more of and shows alignment with broader goals.

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That’s it for now. Thanks for reading – and if anything here resonated, I’d love to hear from you. 

Have an amazing April!

Shola

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Hi, I’m Shola and I help you create a people-first culture. My work sits at the intersection of Inclusion, Communication & Emotional Intelligence.

My keynote talks and workshops help your leaders and employees create high-performing work environments where people feel a sense of belonging and psychological safety. Sessions are high energy, interactive, and every participant walks away with at least one practical framework for connecting and collaborating more effectively.

Sound good to you? Please reach out and let’s discuss your next event! 🙂🎤✨