I-Act

A lot has changed since 2008!

Jane JamesLeave a comment

Since joining LinkedIn back in November 2008, the knowledge and services I offer has evolved organically into workplace mind health, resilience building, inclusion and team cohesion.

This grew out of coaching unemployed people into work – via the Real Apprentice (2004-2013) and Growing Talent (2013 to date).

To move anyone forward from a place where they feel stuck, you have to make a connection, build confidence and trust to understand where each individual is starting – their blockers and desired goals.

This individual focus is pivotal to secure workplace cohesion especially where neurodivergent and neurotypical brains come together.

Anyone who has experienced adversity in their lives, never forgets the emotions they felt.

Adversity changes your soul. In time, it makes you stronger. More resilient yet years later something triggers a memory of those times, and the emotions come flooding back.

That is the power of our brain. It never forgets anything. It has infinite storage space. We must always be alert to those intrusive emotions returning.

I have written various programmes to teach self-empowerment and growth tools needed to move forward from a position of no control.

Connecting with diverse people from all walks of life on their journey to employment, threw up the clear need for more understanding in the workplace of neurodivergence.

There are so many pressures on managers, they may not realise some of their team are neurodivergent and mistake symptoms for behaviours – which can lead to a whole heap of pain for everyone.

Seeing the pressures of neurodivergence in the workplace when awareness was limited on individuals and the business was the driving force to become a Certified ADHD Coach.

Along with coaching 1:1, I devised two workplace virtual seminars. One to raise awareness for managers and one for non-managers. Both assessed and certified by CPD. Both have been well received across diverse sectors from a leading UK University, manufacturing and corporates.

Simple steps and techniques I’ve developed as a certified ADHD Coach enable workplaces to reduce the risk of burnout, long term sickness, loss of talent even challenge at Employment Tribunal.

NHS waiting lists for formal assessment in the UK are off the scale. Many employees won’t have been assessed. Many won’t have been coached 1:1 to recognise how their neurodivergence shows-up and how they can tame it.

An assessment doesn’t need to be in place to seek out coaching. Steps can be learnt to take control of their brain and work with it – not against it.

Employers can fund this coaching as part of their ‘reasonable adjustments’.

It should be noted a formal assessment doesn’t have to be in place before an employer’s liability kicks in at Employment Tribunal.

Compensation awards are uncapped averaging around £45K. Awareness training or teams and 1:1coaching for individuals is far cheaper and less impact on everyone!

I used to deliver a mental health programme which was reactive. Its title made employers think they were getting trained first aiders in mental health without any consideration about their safety or ability to hold empathetic conversations.

For the last 4.5 years, I’ve been a global I-Act Instructor delivering this innovative programme to countries including USA, Canada, China, Taiwan, India, Germany. In line with ISO45003, this programme teaches proactive and first responder steps as well as how to start, manage and end conversations safely.

How has your expertise and services evolved since you joined Linkedin?

Unreal!

Jane JamesLeave a comment

Sometimes I have to pinch myself.

The eight week personal empowerment programme I wrote as an optional resource for those who apply for Growing Talent but don’t progress past the selection stage, is not only certified by The CPD Certification Service but now on it’s third cohort!

Yesterday was the first session. The format is always the same. The first 45 minutes or so focus on the course content followed by open discussion on anything and everything. Brain storming ideas on personal issues, job searches and entrepreneurship.

The foundation content for week one is exploring and analysing where we are, where we want to be, how to get there and tools to use at each stage.

So, what were the thoughts at the end of the session?

“This has been so amazing. Better than I thought. I feel energised and ready to move forward.” Karen.

Karen still felt the same after I gave her some additional homework tasks on top of completing the e-workbook!

Human connection, collaboration and exploration are fundamental to self-empowerment.

Roll on next week!

If you are currently unemployed in London looking for your next opportunity without the pressure of a cv and formal job interview, why not join Growing Talent? Deadline to apply 2 June 2025.
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What a bag can illustrate!

Jane JamesLeave a comment



Wandering around the market on a warm, blue-sky day in Lanzarote, this bag jumped out at me.

The stallholders were a local father and son selling the leather goods they made themselves.

Bags and rucksacks of every size and colour, this green one stood out. The intricate pattern in contrasting red on the flap, two zips on the back and long adjustable strap – exactly what I needed for work back home. Few would have such a bag – bonus! I like to be different!

The father with his smiling toothless grin wrapped the bag and off I went pleased with my purchase.

Back in the hotel room a few hours later, I took the bag out of its wrapping. What was that smell? Subtle, yet pungent. I couldn’t find the culprit anywhere until I sniffed the bag – deeply and closely. Urgh – this was a difference I didn’t want!

After a search on Google, I discovered:

🫣 All sorts of hides can be used – including camel
🫣 All sorts of products can be used to tan the leather – including fish oil and urine! – who knew

Pungent smells can occur when inferior hides and tanning products are used as the leather breaks down. There is no cure.

The bag was left behind but clearly illustrates what you see on the surface isn’t always the whole story!

This is true of people too. Especially in the workplace.

People at all levels must deal with pressure and change continuously. This can weigh heavy on them and their colleagues.

What can be done? Give them the tools and knowledge they need:

💡 Raise awareness amongst managers – is what you are seeing the whole story?
💡 Roll out training for staff to proactively build their resilience and thrive.
💡 Provide coaching for neurodivergent team members to tame the impact on them.

I specialise in workplace programmes that enables teams to thrive. Including:

Neurodivergent coaching 1:1 – how to thrive in a neurotypical workplace (I am a certified ADHD Coach)

Awareness of neurodivergence for managers – what you might see, what you might do. Critical for true team inclusion and reduction of risk of an ET (CPD certified programme)

How to be an ally to your neurodivergent colleague – for non-managers (CPD certified programme)

I-Act Managing and Promoting Positive Mental Health and Wellbeing – global programme accredited by the Royal College of Psychiatrists in line with ISO45003. (I have been delivering this programme to global organisations for over four years)

Time to talk about the transformation I can deliver for your team?

What can unemployed people teach us?

Jane JamesLeave a comment

More than you might think!

Endurance – the tenacity not to give-up

Stepping outside their comfort zone to become who they want to be

Openness to learn

I see this every time I run Growing Talent and this week has been no different.

Alex, Jay and Troy have already jumped through a number of hoops most would be reluctant to do.

So far, they have:

Attended a ‘Getting to know you event” with employers – completely alien concept for them– getting to know employers BEFORE the recruitment stage? Yep. Not the usual application via cv, then the long wait to hear – more likely to just be ghosted, rarely securing an interview.

Devise and present an idea with strangers to benefit London to employers with just 45 minutes preparation.

Network with those same employers WITHOUT talking about jobs – seeing eachother as fellow humans.

Then composing a personal profile sheet before meeting all employers at our ‘slow dating’. Spending 20 minutes at each employer table – this time talking jobs on the stable connection already made.

Next came shortlisted 1-2-1 meetings on the employer site before offers were made and accepted.

Now Alex, Jay and Troy have just completed the in-person CPD certified part of the Orientation and Holistic week where all aspects of work and life skills were explored.

Tomorrow, we do the global I-Act course – managers level to give even more tools to hit the ground running when they join their new employers and teams on site soon.

What did they think of the experience?

“The topics covered opened my mind to how working environments are and how I can look after myself. I am more confident going on my employers site now”, Troy joining CIS-Security.

“Thanks for the opportunity of doing this week. I loved it!” Jay joining SPS UK & Ireland

“This week gave me a better feel about my new chapter of work.” Alex joining CIS Security

The verdict is in!….The Talent Hub is transformative!

Jane JamesLeave a comment

For more years than I care to count, I’ve mentored, coached, empowered and collaborated with awesome unemployed people, who at the time, couldn’t see just how awesome they were!

Devising programmes on a scale of intensity from hour long seminars to courses multiple weeks long, it’s nerve racking being in limbo waiting for the evaluations from participants.

Growing Talent had run for ten years when the fact there was no option for those unemployed participants who were not offered an opportunity to have a resource to grow further grew louder. So, I devised the Talent Hub.

Eight weeks long, delivered virtually over an hour each week covering a specific workplace or life skill each hour with a workbook and review plan as well as a CPD certificate on completion, it was a lot of work to move from idea to reality.

Would the transformation I wanted participants to receive happen?

Was the course and materials good enough?

Was I good enough?

There would be no answers until the leap of faith was taken.

Now the first CPD certified Talent Hub has completed, it’s clear from the evaluations the goals have been achieved.

If you have an idea, know this, you will never be ready.

The time will never be perfect.

Just do it. If it needs tweaking, you can do this afterwards – but you won’t know the tweaks you need to make until you do it!

Have you got an idea you are waiting for the perfect time to launch?

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I love working with businesses to transform their teams – whether through neurodivergence awareness, i-act (for positive mental health and wellbeing) training. Mental Health Training, ADHD 1:1 coaching or a bespoke workshop

What a week it has been so far for the amazing Alex!

Jane JamesLeave a comment

Turned 21 on Saturday.

Started Growing Talent Orientation and Holistic week on Monday.

We’re now halfway through with just the i-act (for positive mental health and wellbeing) training. Mental Health Training accredited course to go. The Manager’s level so pretty intense.

Monday 10th March will be Alex’s first day on site with his new employer Portico

Talk about whirlwind! This week Alex has worked through the three The CPD Certification Service certified manuals with content and tasks covering:

🎯 Employer expectations
🎯 How to stand out when you are one of many – ask Alex about the NYC taxi driver!
🎯 Effective communication at all levels

There’s more…..

🎯 The world of Unconscious Bias
🎯 Training our brain to be more resilient
🎯 What is neurodiversity? how might it show-up in the workplace? How to be an ally
🎯 Conflict identification, analysis and management
🎯 When the time comes, how to move on

And that was just book 1!!! Onto Book 2

🎯 The power of personal values and mantras
🎯 Understand how the ‘reptilian brain’ can cause issues and how to tame it
🎯 Proactive mind muscle building tools

Now to the body’s fuel…

🎯 Nutrition on a budget with simple hacks – just ask Alex about the connection between sugar and cocaine!
🎯 Personal finance tips and tricks
🎯 Impact of behaviour and how to build better connections

Are you exhausted yet reading this????

Lastly we had book 3 which is Growing Talent’s journal, art space and notes section!

Each day, Alex took note of his thoughts in the morning and reflected on the day each evening.

On Tuesday, Adam Bushell, #NikkiGallant and #BeckyShell dropped by to ask Alex about his experience. A confident, engaged speaker who enthused about his experience so far and his excitement of what lies ahead.

Adam Bushell took up the challenge to join us for some art! Kicking off with our ‘fill a heart’ task.

We often live life on auto pilot. Working hard, it’s easy to forget what really matters. A few minutes drawing the things we love within our respective hearts renews our focus on what is really important to us. It’s safe to say Picasso would have been impressed by our efforts!!!

In the feature photo, you can see Alex receiving his certificate of completion of the CPD accredited part of the Orientation Week.

Tomorrow he will hold another certificate as an i-act (for positive mental health and wellbeing) training. Mental Health Training – Managing and Promoting Positive Mental Health and Wellbeing in line with ISO45003, accredited for three years by the Royal College of Psychiatrists.

Is there no end to Alex’s capacity to embrace new things and learn?

Of course not!

We know he will be amazing in his new role and add value to his team and management.

#GoAlex!
#AlexAtereRoberts

Coaching/Training – is it a nice to have? or critical?

Jane JamesLeave a comment

For me, it depends on the type of transformation you want for your teams.

Transforming teams into resilient, empathetic members who engage and support each other with the tools and knowledge of how to do so, is critical no matter what the sector is. Isn’t it?

Often when I speak with businesses,  I am met with ‘that isn’t within our budget right now’. That’s something we might consider in 26/27.

I can understand that brush off. There are a plethora of trainers and coaches out there specialising in this area. How can a business make sure they are getting a return on their investment and the true team transformation they seek?

For me, it’s about asking the ‘3 whys’”

  1. Why should I choose you over others?
  2. Why should I invest in this training now?
  3. Why can’t I deliver this myself?

When you get the answers, you can decide your action and know it will be the right path to take.

If I was asked these 3 whys, my answers would be:

  1. Honesty. If I can’t deliver the transformation you want, I’ll tell you!
  2. Investment now can save you a lot of pain later. When will be the right time to invest in your team to benefit your business? 
  3. Let’s be honest, you wouldn’t let me deliver your role. I don’t have the expertise to do so. But I do have the expertise and record to deliver this type of transformation

My specialist areas are:

Neuro inclusion – ADHD Awareness for managers, how to be an ally for peers and 1:1 coaching for individuals 

Mind health – as an accredited Instructor in I-Act Managing and Promoting Positive Mental Health and Wellbeing, I deliver steps and knowledge on how to prioritise self-care when time is short and how to deliver first responder steps safely to diverse sectors globally.  This is the only programme designed for the workplace to be used by anyone and is in line with ISO45003.

Workplace development – commissioned by various businesses to devise and deliver niche programmes on communication, team empowerment, managing conflict etc

Do you agree with my 3 whys?

How pressure fit is your team?

Jane JamesLeave a comment


Do you know?

How can you tell?

These questions popped in my mind whilst sitting in the dentist chair recently. Whilst waiting for the x-ray results, my dentist asked “so what do you do?”

Those I work with on Growing Talent will know the ‘elevator pitch’ template we explore.

So, to my dentist I replied:

“I work with businesses and their teams to ensure both thrive. I happen to be an @I-act Instructor, Genos EI Practitioner, ADHD Coach and workplace wellbeing facilitator, as well as running a unique journey into employment programme (Growing Talent)”.

Immediately, my Dentist and her assistant wanted to know more about ADHD.

The assistant has a son aged 13 waiting assessment (it’s a very long wait in the UK) and the dentist has a friend who has always struggled in certain areas of executive functioning. I shared some thoughts and signposting with them both. A very short conversation which resulted in the three of us feeling a little more positive and empowered…. Until my dentist picked up the drill – that’s another story!

Why share my experience at the dentist here on LinkedIn?

Dental surgeries are workplaces. People at all levels put on masks to deliver the service they are paid to do whilst trying to hold down the pressures they are feeling – both at home and work – in all workplaces, including yours.

Workplace managers can be overwhelmed themselves and not notice the cues in their teams or self.

So, what can workplaces do?

✅ Train teams at all levels in the steps and tools to be pressure fit – i.e. able to deal with the pressure in the workplace – as well as at home, is a ‘no brainer’.

✅  Raise awareness of the cues to look for, how to start and manage conversations ensuring neuro inclusivity.

My top tip to be neuro inclusive is aim everything to fit neurodivergent team members.

What you do, will also work for neurotypical team members. Currently most workplaces are structured for neurotypical minds – which does not work for neurodivergent ones.

The certainty is the pressure fitness of your teams will hit your bottom line.

The question is, will that hit be positive or negative?

What do you think?

How do you ensure the pressure fitness of your team?

i-act (for positive mental health and wellbeing) training. Mental Health Training
Genos International Europe
ADHD Works
Growing Talent

When you get so much more for choosing innovative, why wouldn’t you?

Jane JamesLeave a comment

Calling all #London employers looking for new talent. If you don’t already get the innovative benefits below in your current recruitment process, is now the time to change?

✅ Completely free

✅ Get to know all applicants – before the selection stage

✅ Build connections with applicants at our challenge event

✅ Selection through our ‘slow dating’ and 1-2-1 stages

✅ CPD Certified Orientation and Holistic week delivered prior to joining you

✅ Qualification in i-act (for positive mental health and wellbeing) training. Mental Health Training in line with workplace psychological safety prior to joining you on site

✅ ADHD 1:1 coaching for your new talent where applicable

✅ Dedicated coach for you and your new talent

When you can train in a role making the person more important than any existing skills and qualifications – why not choose Growing Talent?

Growing Talent is an into work collaboration with employers, unemployed, JCP, community groups and charities. It is not a recruitment company.

Deadline for employers to join our 39th programme is 6 February 2025.

A big thank you to the awesome employers who have already confirmed they will be taking part including:

Pedro and Co Pertemps Network Group

Andy and Co ISS A/S

Mafalda & Shelby CIS Security Limited

Daisy, Stace & Co SPS UK & I

Paul, Dave & Co #NGBailey

Helen #Addecco

Thanks also to #DavidSteeds, Rob Matthews (Anna) and their awesome JCP teams across London sharing this opportunity with their customers and the fabulous Matthew Izekor and team at #SouthwarkCareLeavers making a huge difference to young people already bruised by life.

Lastly, thanks to our sponsors Adam Bushell and Allen Salmon

If you know it…….. pass it on!

Jane JamesLeave a comment

Sharing our knowledge can save others a heap of time, anxiety and money!

Picture this, I’d just been told I’d be charged a ‘restocking fee’ for returning a shower part that wasn’t needed. This ‘restocking fee’ would be deducted from my refund. The box had been opened with a blade so wasn’t damaged.  None of the manufacturer’s labels had been disturbed and the internal individual items were still sealed.

This didn’t sound right to me. (Critical thinking – challenge what I’m told/think)

In my case, this 35% deduction to my refund for ‘restocking fee’ equated to £165!

This really didn’t sound right!

Running @Growing_Talent, we cover basic finance tips including consumer law, 14 day cooling off period for online purchases etc. I’d never heard of a ‘restocking’ fee. So, copious research on the internet followed. 

Yep, ‘restocking fee’ is a deduction from refunds retailers make. That didn’t sound right. Oh wait – this was American sites!

I reached out to the UK manufacturer of the part I’d brought from the London retailer. They confirmed they charged retailers a restocking fee which cannot be passed on to consumers in the UK. A scan read of the UK Consumer ACT 2015 showed a 14 day cooling off period for all goods brought on line for whatever reason to be returned.

Armed with my new knowledge about ‘restocking fees’ and their use in the UK,  I contacted the retailer I brought the part from pointing out, my contract was with them – not the manufacturer. Any ‘restocking fee’ they are charged by the manufacturer is their responsibility not mine. I also quoted the 2015 Consumer Act. 

I got my full refund within 48 hours!

I wonder how many people just accept a ‘restocking fee’ deduction in their refunds in the UK.

That’s why I’m sharing this knowledge everywhere I can.

What knowledge would you pass on?

I share steps, tips and knowledge to enable others to know how to get things done in the workplace especially when their brains have different wiring.

#ADHDCoach

#I-Act Practitioner

#WorkplaceGrowth

#Growing_Talent