<![CDATA[JO RICHINGS

<![CDATA[JO RICHINGS - Blog]]>Thu, 30 Jul 2026 17:19:20 +0100Weebly<![CDATA[Understanding Different Responses to Change USING DISC]]>Thu, 30 Jul 2026 15:39:03 GMThttps://www.jorichings.com/blog/understanding-different-responses-to-change-using-discWe all experience change differently, and understanding these differences can help us better support ourselves and others.

D – Dominance

People with a D style often approach personal change with confidence and a focus on results. They are comfortable making quick decisions and prefer to move forward rather than dwell on uncertainty.

What they need at work:

A clear vision and desired outcome
Freedom to make decisions and take action
Opportunities to influence the change
Minimal bureaucracy and unnecessary delays

I – Influence

People with an I style often embrace personal change when it brings new opportunities or involves others. They tend to stay optimistic and adapt best when they feel connected and supported.

What they need at work:

Open, enthusiastic communication
Opportunities to ask questions and share ideas
Reassurance about the impact on people
Recognition and encouragement throughout the change

S – Steadiness

People with an S style typically prefer stability and routine in their personal lives. They often take time to adjust to change and appreciate having the opportunity to process what it means for them and those around them.

What they need at work:

Time to adapt at a comfortable pace
Clear expectations and consistent communication
Support from leaders and colleagues
Reassurance about job security and team relationships

C – Conscientiousness

People with a C style usually manage personal change by gathering information, considering the details, and planning carefully before making decisions. They prefer to understand the reasons behind the change.

What they need at work:

Accurate information and clear evidence
Well-defined plans, processes, and timelines
Time to analyse and prepare
Opportunities to ask detailed questions before implementation

What do you think?

]]><![CDATA[Why most business strategies fail – and what you can do differently!]]>Wed, 15 Jul 2026 23:00:00 GMThttps://www.jorichings.com/blog/why-most-business-strategies-fail-and-what-you-can-do-differentlyEver wonder why so many business strategies crash and burn?

🚨 Spoiler Alert 🚨

It’s not because the ideas are bad! It’s because they’re poorly executed…

The graveyard of failed strategies is littered with great ideas that never made it past the whiteboard.

I once worked with a company that had a brilliant growth strategy. In fact, on paper, it was totally foolproof! But here’s the issue - they didn’t communicate the plan clearly to the team! Everyone was working hard wanting the business to do well, but they were all working hard in different directions…

The result? Chaos and missed targets!

So, if you’re running a business and developing a strategy that you want to ACHIEVE, what can you do differently?

Here’s my advice:

1️⃣ Communicate Clearly: Make sure everyone understands the strategy and their role in it! This is so important… No one should be guessing what they’re supposed to do!

2️⃣ Set Milestones: Break the strategy down into manageable chunks with clear deadlines. It’s like turning a marathon into a series of sprints - much easier to handle!

3️⃣ Align Resources: Ensure your team has the tools, time, and talent to execute the plan! A great strategy with zero resources is like trying to build a skyscraper with Lego blocks!

4️⃣ Review Regularly: Check progress and adjust the plan as needed. Strategies aren’t set in stone; they should evolve based on real-world results! (This is one which is often forgotten, too!).

So, next time you’re crafting a strategy, remember…

Execution and communication are everything.

Have you ever seen a great strategy fail or succeed based on execution or poor communication?

]]><![CDATA[As a business leader, do you really understand the value of outsourcing?]]>Fri, 26 Jun 2026 14:30:00 GMThttps://www.jorichings.com/blog/as-a-business-leader-do-you-really-understand-the-value-of-outsourcing5499319Over the past few years, you may have heard the term “outsourcing” being used more and more, but some leaders are not really aware of the difference it can make. Many organisations, especially smaller ones, assume that outsourcing it only for the big corporates.

Outsourcing is very similar to delegating… Ultimately, it’s getting someone else who is better suited and skilled at a certain task to complete it, rather than you! (Usually in half the time!)

What is the difference between outsourcing and delegating?

The truth is, very little! The only major difference is that outsourcing means to ask a professional outside of the business to undertake the task.

For example…

🌟 Asking an accountancy firm to manage your accounts, invoicing, tax, VAT, and cashflow!

🌟 Asking a VA to keep on top of your email, general marketing, meetings, and any other tasks that stop you working ON your business (and keep you working IN your business!)

🌟 Asking a financial planner to help ensure you have a great pension plan, and are managing your overall finances in a way that your money is WORKING FOR YOU!

🌟 Asking a HR expert to manage employee assistant programmes, complaints, employee support and liaison.

🌟 Asking a Recruitment Agency to help you find the perfect candidate for any internal roles that need to be filled.

… And the list goes on!

The truth is, as a Business & Leadership Coach, I often suggest outsourcing and delegating tasks to my clients. The less time spent on the day-to-day running of a business, doing jobs that are potentially outide of your skillset, the more time can be spent growing your business!

What’s stopping you? Is it the financial implication? Well…

Outsourcing can help cut overheads, reduce the need for expensive equipment and software, reduce the time spent on tasks that someone else can do in a fraction of the time, and is often much less expensive than you might think!

What is your time worth?

Do you outsource?

I do, and I wouldn’t have it any other way! 🤩

]]><![CDATA[More super AI tools to transform your business!]]>Tue, 02 Jun 2026 16:30:00 GMThttps://www.jorichings.com/blog/more-super-ai-tools-to-transform-your-business1538855In my last post, I shared some of my top AI tools! Today, I am going to be sharing the rest of my rest AI recommendations - apps I have used to totally transform my business! 🙌

😎 ChatGPT for YouTube - For YouTube, ChatGPT for YouTube is a huge time-saver if you want a video’s key points and transcription without having to watch the entire thing.

😎 Answer the Public - Answer the Public is a brilliant tool for market research. It helps you discover the questions your target audience is asking about your product or service, making it easier to create relevant content.

😎 Zapier - Zapier is a fantastic automation tool that connects your apps and automates repetitive tasks, saving you tons of time. It works by creating “Zaps,” which are essentially workflows made up of triggers and actions. For example, you can set it up so that when you get a new email in Gmail with an attachment, Zapier automatically saves the file to Google Drive and notifies you on Slack. It’s brilliant because it connects thousands of apps - everything from Trello and Google Sheets to Mailchimp and Calendly. You don’t need any coding skills; it’s all drag-and-drop simplicity. Once you set up a Zap, it runs quietly in the background, letting you focus on more important things. If you’re drowning in admin or juggling multiple apps, Zapier is an absolute lifesaver.

I have found these tools extremely useful, so highly recommend checking out these apps and the other tools in my last post and giving them all a go!

I’d love to hear your top recommendations!

What super AI tools do you use❓

]]><![CDATA[AI tools to transform your business!]]>Thu, 21 May 2026 17:30:00 GMThttps://www.jorichings.com/blog/ai-tools-to-transform-your-business6338489Over the next few months, I am going to be sharing the best AI tool recommendations that have totally transformed my business!

🙌 Gamma.ap - I highly recommend Gamma.app for presentations and slide decks. You can even create an entire slide deck directly from a prompt - no need to write the content yourself. It generates the deck in about 30 seconds, which is incredibly efficient. Or you can copy your text in. (Co-pilot also does this but not as well in my opinion!)

🙌 ChatGPT - For blogs, emails etc. I use ChatGPT for voice-to-text and then ask it to rewrite the content properly in my style, removing all the ums and ahs. It’s 100% AI-undetectable and works seamlessly! I also use it to write professional proposals, track my health and about a million other things! (Also a great tool for tips on how to deal with difficult team members!)

🙌 NotebookLM - Another game changer for me has been NotebookLM. You can upload up to 50 sources - like PDFs, web links, or YouTube videos - and ask it to do anything with that data. It will give you insights, create a study guide, and even FAQ’s. It can also create a tailored PowerPoint slide deck layout for you. It’s better than ChatGPT in this case because it only uses the data you provide, so there’s no risk of inaccuracies. And your data is safe (it doesn’t use it to learn like ChatGPT). It can even generate a professional 20–30-minute podcast from the content, which sounds realistic and brilliant. I often use it after workshops: I upload the slides, create a summary, and send it to participants as a recap.

🙌 Zoom AI, Fathom & Otter - For meeting management, I rely on Zoom AI meeting summaries, Fathom to record meetings, and Otter for face-to-face discussions. I then keep all recordings and summaries organised on a Trello card for each client.

🙌 Graphy & Napkin.AI - If you’re looking to create visuals, Graphy is excellent for graphs and charts, and Napkin.AI is perfect for designing infographics.

🙌 Quillbot - To repurpose old content, I use Quillbot - it’s great for rewriting and refreshing old blogs.

I’ll share more next time!

What about you? Any exciting AI tools to share?

]]><![CDATA[After my recent 'coming out’ as an ADHDer Blog post, I thought I'd share a few tips on how to spot and support team members with ADHD!]]>Mon, 04 May 2026 10:30:00 GMThttps://www.jorichings.com/blog/after-my-recent-coming-out-as-an-adhder-blog-post-i-thought-id-share-a-few-tips-on-how-to-spot-and-support-team-members-with-adhd2352993Working with ADHD team members can be both a struggle and an incredible opportunity. Here’s a quick guide to identifying common traits, recognizing their strengths, and creating an environment where they can thrive! 🥰

More Common Traits of ADHD Team Members:

🌪️ Easily Distracted: Struggle to stay on track with routine or repetitive tasks when there are competing stimuli.

⏰ Time Blindness: Difficulty estimating how long tasks will take, leading to rushing or lateness.

🌀 Forgetfulness: May forget details, instructions, or meetings—but not intentionally!

🎢 Emotional Rollercoaster: Can experience strong emotional reactions, feeling highs and lows more intensely.

📈 Love for Newness: Thrives with exciting new challenges but struggles to finish once the “spark” fades.

🚀 Impulsivity: Tendency to speak without thinking things through fully.

But Don’t Forget the Superpowers!

✨ Big-Picture Thinkers: ADHD team members often excel at seeing connections others might miss.

⚡ Fast-Paced Brilliance: They’re energized in dynamic environments and often work well under pressure.

🎨 Creative Problem-Solvers: Innovative, out-of-the-box thinkers who can approach challenges uniquely.

🤝 Incredible Empathy: Many ADHDers have strong emotional intelligence, making them great at connecting with others.

🔄 Adaptability: Thrives in chaos, quick to pivot, and excellent in roles requiring flexibility.

🌍 Endless Curiosity: Their love for learning means they’re often the go-to for fresh ideas.

Here’s How You Can Support Them:

☑️ Provide Clear and Structured Tasks:

Break work into smaller steps with clear deadlines. Use visual aids. Clarity is key!

☑️ Offer Time Management Support:

Encourage the use of calendars, timers, and task lists. ADHD brains can benefit hugely from external prompts.

☑️ Allow Flexibility in Work:

Focus on outcomes rather than rigid processes. Some team members thrive working late at night, others need structured mornings.

☑️ Reduce Distractions:

Quiet workspaces or noise-cancelling headphones can help. ADHD brains are like magnets for distractions.

☑️ Encourage Breaks and Movement:

Frequent breaks and movement (walking meetings, anyone?) help with focus and prevent burnout.

☑️ Leverage Their Strengths:

They’re natural innovators who thrive in brainstorming sessions, fast-paced projects, and roles requiring out-of-the-box thinking.

☑️ Invest in Training:

Educate managers and teams about ADHD to build awareness and understanding. Neurodiversity benefits everyone!

Creating a supportive environment doesn’t just help your ADHDers - it can transform your entire workplace. Neurodivergent individuals bring unmatched perspectives, solutions, and energy. 🙌

Have you worked with or supported a neurodivergent team member?

]]><![CDATA[As a business leader, do you really understand the value of outsourcing?]]>Wed, 22 Apr 2026 23:00:00 GMThttps://www.jorichings.com/blog/as-a-business-leader-do-you-really-understand-the-value-of-outsourcingOver the past few years, you may have heard the term “outsourcing” being used more and more, but some leaders are not really aware of the difference it can make. Many organisations, especially smaller ones, assume that outsourcing it only for the big corporates.

Outsourcing is very similar to delegating… Ultimately, it’s getting someone else who is better suited and skilled at a certain task to complete it, rather than you! (Usually in half the time!)

What is the difference between outsourcing and delegating?

The truth is, very little! The only major difference is that outsourcing means to ask a professional outside of the business to undertake the task.

For example…

]]><![CDATA[“OMG, I can’t believe you’ve got ADHD!”]]>Fri, 03 Apr 2026 16:30:00 GMThttps://www.jorichings.com/blog/omg-i-cant-believe-youve-got-adhd8038368… said half my clients when they found out I was recently diagnosed.

The other half?

“Hmmm… That doesn’t surprise me at all!” 😅

My son was diagnosed with ADHD a few years ago, and as I researched ways to support him, it hit me like a lightning bolt: I do that. And that. And… oh wow, that too. Suddenly, everything about my life started to make sense. 🥹

The constant dopamine chasing through new experiences (hello, new businesses, partners, countries, and hobbies), compulsive eating, shopping sprees, fire walking, spiritual and psychedelic ceremonies (yes, really!). The racing brain that can simultaneously solve client problems and come up with a new business idea on the way to the loo at 2 AM (true story). It’s a gift, but wow, it can wreak havoc with your sleep! 🤣

Not long after my son's diagnosis, I was 99.9% sure I had ADHD. Full-on ADHD. And when I finally got the official diagnosis, I saw my life through an ADHD lens—and it kind of all made sense. 🥰

Sure, ADHD has thrown its fair share of challenges my way. But I’ve learnt to scaffold myself (sticky notes, timers, lists galore) and see it for what it truly is: my superpower. I truly believe ADHD is one of the reasons my business has been so successful. 🦸‍♀️⚡️

Funny thing is, since my diagnosis, I seem to have become an ADHD magnet! Loads of my clients are ADHDers, and I’ve delivered Supporting Neurodiversity in the Workplace training to over 40 leaders from all over the world. It’s humbling to see how many organisations are eager to put proper support systems in place for neurodivergent team members! 🩷

Because here’s the thing: whether or not you believe in ADHD (yes, people really say “it’s just a trend”—please read It’s Not a Bloody Trend if that’s you), neurodivergent team members are here to stay.

And they’re some of the most creative, innovative problem-solvers on the planet! 🌈✨

But if your business isn’t set up to attract, support, and retain neurodivergent talent, you might struggle to keep up. More and more people are recognising traits in themselves thanks to platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Diagnoses are rising, awareness is growing, and this isn’t going away!

If you want to chat about how I can help your organisation support neurodivergent team members—ADHD, autism, dyslexia, etc.— contact me today.

]]><![CDATA[Remember… Leadership Isn’t About You, It’s About Them!]]>Wed, 25 Mar 2026 06:30:00 GMThttps://www.jorichings.com/blog/remember-leadership-isnt-about-you-its-about-themOne of the biggest mindset shifts I coach leaders through is moving from “me” to “we”! It’s surprisingly hard, especially for founders who’ve built a business from scratch. Their business is their baby, so it’s a big step!

Tom, the MD of a logistics firm in Leeds, had hit a wall. He was frustrated that his leadership team weren’t stepping up, and he felt like he had to make every decision himself! Does this sound familiar?

When we dug deeper, it became clearer to me what had happened…

Tom hadn’t actually let go! 🤦🏼‍♀️

His team didn’t make decisions because they didn’t feel trusted to. 💔

So, we worked on his delegation. Not just handing over tasks, but empowering others with clarity, authority, and accountability! 🙏

Tom started involving his team in strategy sessions, asking their input, and crucially, letting their ideas take the lead.

Three months in, morale was up, and productivity had jumped by 17%. Tom finally had time to focus on growth rather than firefighting! 🥳

The truth is, people don’t follow titles - they follow trust!

Leadership is about enabling others to do their best work, not proving how brilliant you are.

Do you want to be a better leader❓

If any of this sounds familiar, try to start by listening a little more than you speak. That shift alone changes everything! ✨

]]><![CDATA[Are your team disengageD?]]>Wed, 11 Mar 2026 11:57:12 GMThttps://www.jorichings.com/blog/are-your-team-disengagedHere’s my quick step-by-step guide! ✨

Got a team that’s more “meh” than motivated❓

Don’t worry - you’re not alone!

Motivating a disengaged team can feel like trying to start a car with a dead battery, but I’ve got a step-by-step guide that’ll have them revving their engines in no time… 🚗

👉 Step 1: Listen Up: The first step is to listen - really listen. Hold one-on-one meetings to find out what’s going on. Are they bored? Overwhelmed? Frustrated? Sometimes, just feeling heard can make a huge difference.

👉 Step 2: Set Clear Goals: Disengagement often comes from not knowing what’s expected. Make sure your team knows exactly what their goals are and how their work contributes to the bigger picture. It’s like connecting the dots - suddenly, the work has meaning.

👉 Step 3: Recognise and Reward: People crave recognition. Even a simple “good job” can go a long way. But don’t stop there - rewarding effort and celebrating small wins keeps the momentum going.

👉 Step 4: Provide Development Opportunities: Give your team something to strive for. Whether it’s a new project, training, or a chance to lead a meeting, opportunities for growth can reignite passion.

👉 Step 5: Foster a Positive Environment: Culture matters. Create an environment where people feel safe to speak up, share ideas, and even fail without fear of reprimand. A little positivity can turn things around faster than you think.

I once worked with a team that was completely checked out. By following these steps, we went from disengaged to dynamite in just a few months!! ❤️

The key was understanding that motivation isn’t a one-size-fits-all… It’s all about different strokes for different folks.

What’s the best way you’ve found to motivate your team❓

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