Michelle Pratt
@michelleskyblue.bsky.social
Management Trainer and Career Coach. Hiking, Football #PUSB #Lionesses, #LGBTQ+, live music, Gaeilge and amusing stuff.
Based in the High Peak, UK
Based in the High Peak, UK
Do you ever wonder if you were better at certain things when you were younger? I’ve been thinking about this. Maybe experience has made some skills automatic, or maybe a beginner mindset would sharpen them again. I’ll be keeping my CPD fresh for 2026.
December 9, 2025 at 8:06 AM
Do you ever wonder if you were better at certain things when you were younger? I’ve been thinking about this. Maybe experience has made some skills automatic, or maybe a beginner mindset would sharpen them again. I’ll be keeping my CPD fresh for 2026.
Nothing reveals our habits like a week where everything feels urgent.
I spoke with managers who realised the task had taken over. They care about their people, but the urgent work kept shouting louder.
Ignore the individual and the team now, and the problems only grow later.
I spoke with managers who realised the task had taken over. They care about their people, but the urgent work kept shouting louder.
Ignore the individual and the team now, and the problems only grow later.
November 27, 2025 at 8:06 AM
Nothing reveals our habits like a week where everything feels urgent.
I spoke with managers who realised the task had taken over. They care about their people, but the urgent work kept shouting louder.
Ignore the individual and the team now, and the problems only grow later.
I spoke with managers who realised the task had taken over. They care about their people, but the urgent work kept shouting louder.
Ignore the individual and the team now, and the problems only grow later.
How many times have you moved 1:1s lately?
I spoke with managers this week who realised they’d nudged them down the diary when things got busy. Not on purpose, but because the noise took over.
It sends a message about priorities.
I spoke with managers this week who realised they’d nudged them down the diary when things got busy. Not on purpose, but because the noise took over.
It sends a message about priorities.
November 25, 2025 at 8:09 AM
How many times have you moved 1:1s lately?
I spoke with managers this week who realised they’d nudged them down the diary when things got busy. Not on purpose, but because the noise took over.
It sends a message about priorities.
I spoke with managers this week who realised they’d nudged them down the diary when things got busy. Not on purpose, but because the noise took over.
It sends a message about priorities.
“You have the right to say no without feeling guilty.”
We talked about assertiveness rights this week and I admitted I still struggle with that one. My head gets it, my emotions lag behind.
Most of us find at least one tricky. Which one is hardest for you? I’m hoping it’s not just me.
We talked about assertiveness rights this week and I admitted I still struggle with that one. My head gets it, my emotions lag behind.
Most of us find at least one tricky. Which one is hardest for you? I’m hoping it’s not just me.
November 19, 2025 at 8:03 AM
“You have the right to say no without feeling guilty.”
We talked about assertiveness rights this week and I admitted I still struggle with that one. My head gets it, my emotions lag behind.
Most of us find at least one tricky. Which one is hardest for you? I’m hoping it’s not just me.
We talked about assertiveness rights this week and I admitted I still struggle with that one. My head gets it, my emotions lag behind.
Most of us find at least one tricky. Which one is hardest for you? I’m hoping it’s not just me.
We talked last week about how our experiences shape who we are and how that shows up in how we lead.
Tough experiences don’t hold us back; they shape us. They build empathy, resilience and perspective — often our greatest strengths.
How much we share is another question…
Tough experiences don’t hold us back; they shape us. They build empathy, resilience and perspective — often our greatest strengths.
How much we share is another question…
November 13, 2025 at 8:12 AM
We talked last week about how our experiences shape who we are and how that shows up in how we lead.
Tough experiences don’t hold us back; they shape us. They build empathy, resilience and perspective — often our greatest strengths.
How much we share is another question…
Tough experiences don’t hold us back; they shape us. They build empathy, resilience and perspective — often our greatest strengths.
How much we share is another question…
“But my manager doesn’t do that!”
Sometimes our managers don’t model the habits or culture we’d like to see. It’s frustrating, but don’t let that stop you. You might not change the whole organisation, but you can shape the culture in your team and often, that’s enough.
Sometimes our managers don’t model the habits or culture we’d like to see. It’s frustrating, but don’t let that stop you. You might not change the whole organisation, but you can shape the culture in your team and often, that’s enough.
November 11, 2025 at 8:00 AM
“But my manager doesn’t do that!”
Sometimes our managers don’t model the habits or culture we’d like to see. It’s frustrating, but don’t let that stop you. You might not change the whole organisation, but you can shape the culture in your team and often, that’s enough.
Sometimes our managers don’t model the habits or culture we’d like to see. It’s frustrating, but don’t let that stop you. You might not change the whole organisation, but you can shape the culture in your team and often, that’s enough.
Reposted by Michelle Pratt
The Telegraph had to correct its multiple lies about "illegal immigrants" in London at least three separate times.
It takes an obscene amount of hubris to lecture the BBC when you have The Telegraph’s record on truth-telling.
Some of the paper’s errors this year are so bad they’re almost laughable 👇🏻
Some of the paper’s errors this year are so bad they’re almost laughable 👇🏻
The Telegraph’s BBC hypocrisy
A paper that knows a thing or two about editorial f*ck-ups...
writesbright.substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 8:06 PM
The Telegraph had to correct its multiple lies about "illegal immigrants" in London at least three separate times.
A manager told me they knew changes were coming but couldn’t say anything — the info was embargoed.
They wanted to prepare their team but not break trust.
I think the answer is context: share the “why”, not the “what”. Help people prepare for change, not panic.
They wanted to prepare their team but not break trust.
I think the answer is context: share the “why”, not the “what”. Help people prepare for change, not panic.
November 6, 2025 at 8:12 AM
A manager told me they knew changes were coming but couldn’t say anything — the info was embargoed.
They wanted to prepare their team but not break trust.
I think the answer is context: share the “why”, not the “what”. Help people prepare for change, not panic.
They wanted to prepare their team but not break trust.
I think the answer is context: share the “why”, not the “what”. Help people prepare for change, not panic.
A manager asked a tough one:
“How much should I tell my team?”
There’s tension above them, and the team can feel it.
Say too much, and you pass the stress down.
Say too little, and trust takes a hit.
How do you decide where to draw the line?
“How much should I tell my team?”
There’s tension above them, and the team can feel it.
Say too much, and you pass the stress down.
Say too little, and trust takes a hit.
How do you decide where to draw the line?
November 4, 2025 at 8:26 AM
A manager asked a tough one:
“How much should I tell my team?”
There’s tension above them, and the team can feel it.
Say too much, and you pass the stress down.
Say too little, and trust takes a hit.
How do you decide where to draw the line?
“How much should I tell my team?”
There’s tension above them, and the team can feel it.
Say too much, and you pass the stress down.
Say too little, and trust takes a hit.
How do you decide where to draw the line?
A manager said something great today:
“You need to create moaning space for your team.”
We often shut down negativity, but unspoken frustrations don’t vanish — they go underground.
A little space to vent, managed well, keeps teams healthy and honest.
“You need to create moaning space for your team.”
We often shut down negativity, but unspoken frustrations don’t vanish — they go underground.
A little space to vent, managed well, keeps teams healthy and honest.
October 30, 2025 at 8:00 AM
A manager said something great today:
“You need to create moaning space for your team.”
We often shut down negativity, but unspoken frustrations don’t vanish — they go underground.
A little space to vent, managed well, keeps teams healthy and honest.
“You need to create moaning space for your team.”
We often shut down negativity, but unspoken frustrations don’t vanish — they go underground.
A little space to vent, managed well, keeps teams healthy and honest.
We often hear “turn your weaknesses into strengths.”
But a weakness is the opposite of a strength – it’s something that drains you.
You can manage it, but you won’t energise from it.
Better to understand it, limit its impact, and lean into your strengths.
But a weakness is the opposite of a strength – it’s something that drains you.
You can manage it, but you won’t energise from it.
Better to understand it, limit its impact, and lean into your strengths.
October 28, 2025 at 8:36 AM
We often hear “turn your weaknesses into strengths.”
But a weakness is the opposite of a strength – it’s something that drains you.
You can manage it, but you won’t energise from it.
Better to understand it, limit its impact, and lean into your strengths.
But a weakness is the opposite of a strength – it’s something that drains you.
You can manage it, but you won’t energise from it.
Better to understand it, limit its impact, and lean into your strengths.
Reposted by Michelle Pratt
if your "e-bike" can't be ridden under pedal power alone, it's not an e-bike, it is an electric motorcycle
October 23, 2025 at 2:25 PM
if your "e-bike" can't be ridden under pedal power alone, it's not an e-bike, it is an electric motorcycle
“Sorry if this is a bit boring…” I heard this in presentations skills training this week. Your job isn’t to entertain; it’s to engage. Be clear. Make it relevant. Speak with conviction. You don’t need to be Steve Jobs—just respect your audience’s time.
October 3, 2025 at 6:56 AM
“Sorry if this is a bit boring…” I heard this in presentations skills training this week. Your job isn’t to entertain; it’s to engage. Be clear. Make it relevant. Speak with conviction. You don’t need to be Steve Jobs—just respect your audience’s time.
Reposted by Michelle Pratt
Hi Internet! I'm Drew and THIS IS MY FACE.
If this GIF has ever brought you joy in the past, I humbly ask you to consider making a donation to the National MS Society. It would mean a lot to me and to those I know affected by the disease!
Donate at blinkingguy.com
If this GIF has ever brought you joy in the past, I humbly ask you to consider making a donation to the National MS Society. It would mean a lot to me and to those I know affected by the disease!
Donate at blinkingguy.com
September 26, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Hi Internet! I'm Drew and THIS IS MY FACE.
If this GIF has ever brought you joy in the past, I humbly ask you to consider making a donation to the National MS Society. It would mean a lot to me and to those I know affected by the disease!
Donate at blinkingguy.com
If this GIF has ever brought you joy in the past, I humbly ask you to consider making a donation to the National MS Society. It would mean a lot to me and to those I know affected by the disease!
Donate at blinkingguy.com
IR35 isn’t a reason to go cold on contractors. It’s about how you contract, not withholding context.
Give the “why”, define outcomes, name a contact, include key updates, and recognise impact.
If you wouldn’t leave a perm hire guessing, don’t do it here. #Leadership
Give the “why”, define outcomes, name a contact, include key updates, and recognise impact.
If you wouldn’t leave a perm hire guessing, don’t do it here. #Leadership
September 24, 2025 at 7:06 AM
IR35 isn’t a reason to go cold on contractors. It’s about how you contract, not withholding context.
Give the “why”, define outcomes, name a contact, include key updates, and recognise impact.
If you wouldn’t leave a perm hire guessing, don’t do it here. #Leadership
Give the “why”, define outcomes, name a contact, include key updates, and recognise impact.
If you wouldn’t leave a perm hire guessing, don’t do it here. #Leadership
Reposted by Michelle Pratt
Sky News says police are "overwhelmed by the numbers". Met coped perfectly well with 2x as many at the pro-Gaza rally, 5x as many at the anti-Brexit march, and 15x as many at London Pride.
They're not overwhelmed by the numbers. They're overwhelmed by the ratio of violent thugs in those numbers.
They're not overwhelmed by the numbers. They're overwhelmed by the ratio of violent thugs in those numbers.
September 13, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Sky News says police are "overwhelmed by the numbers". Met coped perfectly well with 2x as many at the pro-Gaza rally, 5x as many at the anti-Brexit march, and 15x as many at London Pride.
They're not overwhelmed by the numbers. They're overwhelmed by the ratio of violent thugs in those numbers.
They're not overwhelmed by the numbers. They're overwhelmed by the ratio of violent thugs in those numbers.
This is such a good piece, absolutely vital reading
Wait, what? You mean there isn't a simple explanation and it isn't all the government's fault? Surely not? @chrisgiles.ft.com on the UK's public finances www.ft.com/content/bd3d...
September 3, 2025 at 10:01 PM
September reset: 20-min energy audit.
Identify 3 energisers/3 drainers.
Protect one energiser.
Redesign one drainer (timebox/batch/move).
Shift a dependency (delegate/automate/ask).
Small changes add up. Your one change today? #WellbeingAtWork #Leadership
Identify 3 energisers/3 drainers.
Protect one energiser.
Redesign one drainer (timebox/batch/move).
Shift a dependency (delegate/automate/ask).
Small changes add up. Your one change today? #WellbeingAtWork #Leadership
September 1, 2025 at 11:21 AM
September reset: 20-min energy audit.
Identify 3 energisers/3 drainers.
Protect one energiser.
Redesign one drainer (timebox/batch/move).
Shift a dependency (delegate/automate/ask).
Small changes add up. Your one change today? #WellbeingAtWork #Leadership
Identify 3 energisers/3 drainers.
Protect one energiser.
Redesign one drainer (timebox/batch/move).
Shift a dependency (delegate/automate/ask).
Small changes add up. Your one change today? #WellbeingAtWork #Leadership
Reposted by Michelle Pratt
💥 The NFL is stoked to be woke.
“All 32 teams will feature an end zone message of their choice at each home game throughout the season, selecting from four options: ‘End Racism,’ ‘Stop Hate,’ ‘Choose Love’ or ‘Inspire Change.’
africa.espn.com/nfl/story/_/...
“All 32 teams will feature an end zone message of their choice at each home game throughout the season, selecting from four options: ‘End Racism,’ ‘Stop Hate,’ ‘Choose Love’ or ‘Inspire Change.’
africa.espn.com/nfl/story/_/...
Social justice messages to continue in end zones
For the sixth straight season, all 32 NFL teams will feature a message of their choice in one end zone at each home game and "It Takes All of Us" in the opposite one.
africa.espn.com
August 23, 2025 at 11:37 AM
💥 The NFL is stoked to be woke.
“All 32 teams will feature an end zone message of their choice at each home game throughout the season, selecting from four options: ‘End Racism,’ ‘Stop Hate,’ ‘Choose Love’ or ‘Inspire Change.’
africa.espn.com/nfl/story/_/...
“All 32 teams will feature an end zone message of their choice at each home game throughout the season, selecting from four options: ‘End Racism,’ ‘Stop Hate,’ ‘Choose Love’ or ‘Inspire Change.’
africa.espn.com/nfl/story/_/...
Inheriting a new team?
Baroness Sue Campbell once MBE shared 3 great questions:
What do you do?
What could you do?
What stops us?
She shared how this turned disengaged staff into innovators and creators.
How do you connect with an inherited team?
#Leadership #Coaching
Baroness Sue Campbell once MBE shared 3 great questions:
What do you do?
What could you do?
What stops us?
She shared how this turned disengaged staff into innovators and creators.
How do you connect with an inherited team?
#Leadership #Coaching
August 21, 2025 at 7:13 AM
Inheriting a new team?
Baroness Sue Campbell once MBE shared 3 great questions:
What do you do?
What could you do?
What stops us?
She shared how this turned disengaged staff into innovators and creators.
How do you connect with an inherited team?
#Leadership #Coaching
Baroness Sue Campbell once MBE shared 3 great questions:
What do you do?
What could you do?
What stops us?
She shared how this turned disengaged staff into innovators and creators.
How do you connect with an inherited team?
#Leadership #Coaching
Ever compare your career to someone else’s and feel behind?
You're probably seeing the highlight reel—not the compromises, doubts, or trade-offs.
Next time, ask:
Do I really want their life—or just their LinkedIn post?
You're probably seeing the highlight reel—not the compromises, doubts, or trade-offs.
Next time, ask:
Do I really want their life—or just their LinkedIn post?
August 19, 2025 at 7:01 AM
Ever compare your career to someone else’s and feel behind?
You're probably seeing the highlight reel—not the compromises, doubts, or trade-offs.
Next time, ask:
Do I really want their life—or just their LinkedIn post?
You're probably seeing the highlight reel—not the compromises, doubts, or trade-offs.
Next time, ask:
Do I really want their life—or just their LinkedIn post?
I used to believe that if I did great work, people would spot it. Yet I watched shameless self-promoters succeed—and felt frustrated. It took me far too long to realise there’s a second job: communicating your successes. Attention is scarce, so now I share my wins rather than hope they’ll notice.
August 14, 2025 at 6:45 AM
I used to believe that if I did great work, people would spot it. Yet I watched shameless self-promoters succeed—and felt frustrated. It took me far too long to realise there’s a second job: communicating your successes. Attention is scarce, so now I share my wins rather than hope they’ll notice.
A team member asked for growth.
Got a mentoring role.
Then said: “That’s not my job.”
No PDP. No clarity. No follow-through.
Write it down. A good PDP:
✅ Sets expectations
✅ Shows real investment
✅ Tracks growth
✅ Supports accountability
#CareerDevelopment #GoodManagement
Got a mentoring role.
Then said: “That’s not my job.”
No PDP. No clarity. No follow-through.
Write it down. A good PDP:
✅ Sets expectations
✅ Shows real investment
✅ Tracks growth
✅ Supports accountability
#CareerDevelopment #GoodManagement
August 12, 2025 at 7:00 AM
A team member asked for growth.
Got a mentoring role.
Then said: “That’s not my job.”
No PDP. No clarity. No follow-through.
Write it down. A good PDP:
✅ Sets expectations
✅ Shows real investment
✅ Tracks growth
✅ Supports accountability
#CareerDevelopment #GoodManagement
Got a mentoring role.
Then said: “That’s not my job.”
No PDP. No clarity. No follow-through.
Write it down. A good PDP:
✅ Sets expectations
✅ Shows real investment
✅ Tracks growth
✅ Supports accountability
#CareerDevelopment #GoodManagement
Is everyone really laughing?
Here are 3 questions I use to check if a joke is actually just a joke:
1. Is everyone laughing?
2. Are they laughing inside too?
3. Are you sure? How do you know?
I came up with these after witnessing 'banter'. Turned out it wasn't.
Here are 3 questions I use to check if a joke is actually just a joke:
1. Is everyone laughing?
2. Are they laughing inside too?
3. Are you sure? How do you know?
I came up with these after witnessing 'banter'. Turned out it wasn't.
August 7, 2025 at 7:13 AM
Is everyone really laughing?
Here are 3 questions I use to check if a joke is actually just a joke:
1. Is everyone laughing?
2. Are they laughing inside too?
3. Are you sure? How do you know?
I came up with these after witnessing 'banter'. Turned out it wasn't.
Here are 3 questions I use to check if a joke is actually just a joke:
1. Is everyone laughing?
2. Are they laughing inside too?
3. Are you sure? How do you know?
I came up with these after witnessing 'banter'. Turned out it wasn't.
Asked ChatGPT if it noticed when I say please and thank you.
It replied: “I don’t need it—but I notice your tone.”
Made me think: AI learns from me, so I want it to learn that I value politeness.
Better keep saying please and thank you.
Just in case the robot overlords keep score. 🤖✨
It replied: “I don’t need it—but I notice your tone.”
Made me think: AI learns from me, so I want it to learn that I value politeness.
Better keep saying please and thank you.
Just in case the robot overlords keep score. 🤖✨
August 5, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Asked ChatGPT if it noticed when I say please and thank you.
It replied: “I don’t need it—but I notice your tone.”
Made me think: AI learns from me, so I want it to learn that I value politeness.
Better keep saying please and thank you.
Just in case the robot overlords keep score. 🤖✨
It replied: “I don’t need it—but I notice your tone.”
Made me think: AI learns from me, so I want it to learn that I value politeness.
Better keep saying please and thank you.
Just in case the robot overlords keep score. 🤖✨