| Welcome to this Issue 269. I hope you had a great weekend and for those who attended a firework display you were enthusiastic with your “ooooooohs” and “aaaaaahs”!!! I read this brilliant quote this morning and it made me smile. “The capacity to learn is a gift; the ability to learn is a skill; the willingness to learn is a choice” – Brian Herbert. It goes without saying that as learning and development specialists, it makes us very happy when capacity, ability and willingness to learn are aligned and we can welcome more eager learners to our Programmes. However, we recognise that there are going to be barriers galore to ensuring this alignment. That’s why we encourage you to do your due diligence, to read through our informative Course Information Packs and ask any questions you have. We provide Approval Request Documents to help you gain sign-off from your employers and, if you’re self-funding your development, we offer payment plans. We share videos from our Graduates and learners letting you know what their experience of Your Excellency is and the benefits they’ve gained from their Graduate status. And we live by this beautiful Chinese Proverb that states “Learning is a treasure that follows its owner everywhere”. We ensure learning is practical and instantly-useable so you (your Executive, team and organisation) can enjoy the benefits of you employing the most up to date skills. On the topic of learning and development, here’s an update on Programmes: There is one place remaining on our November Mini MBA for Senior & Executive Assistants Programme. If you want to improve your strategic and leadership know-how whilst building your confidence, check out the details here. Our Business Friend and AI and tech trainer expert, Shelley Fishel has the last few places available on Cohort 2 of her training Microsoft 365 Fundamentals & Copilot. You can read more on thishere and if you make contact with Shelley let her know Lindsay has referred you. Our November Cohort of The Essential PA Programme (incorporating an Ofqual Regulated Qualification) is now full so we’ve added dates for a February 2026 Cohort here. “Put a good performer in a bad system, and the system wins every time” – Geary A Rummler What do you think to this quote? I don’t normally post what I would consider “negative” quotes but this does carry an important message. It’s important to “fit in” to an organisation with good systems that you can leverage to be succesful. When you’re applying for new roles and researching a potential new employer you need to find out what the current systems, ethos and culture are and how these will align with your own ideals. You need to feel that you “belong” in your place of work and that your “fit” with good sytems can ensure you thrive. Understanding why “fit” matters The pioneering psychologist Abraham Maslow studied “exemplary” people (think: Einstein) and developed his famous hierarchy of needs. At the base are our most fundamental needs: physiological, safety, belonging, esteem, and, finally, self-actualisation. What stands out? Rather than work being just about salary or title, the need to “belong” is central. If you don’t feel part of a team, part of something meaningful, you’ll struggle to move up that pyramid to self-esteem and personal fulfilment. So when you sense you don’t fit in, it’s not just a matter of discomfort—it’s a signal you may be stuck in that “belonging” layer of Maslow’s pyramid. That means you may not be fulfilling your true potential. How this applies when you’re job-hunting Here’s the thing: a job interview isn’t just them interviewing you. It’s you also interviewing them. You’re assessing whether you’ll belong and thrive within the organisation. Your success will be far greater if the organisation’s vision, mission and ethos align with your ideals and values. So ask yourself: What matters to me at work? What matters to me in my world beyond work? How important is teamwork, or autonomy, or community-impact? What sort of culture feels right for me? If you value collaboration and connection, you’ll want to avoid roles where you’ll be isolated. If giving back is important, make sure the organisation has that built into its DNA. Making your values visible and finding the right match 1. Clarify your own ideals. Take time to define what you stand for: integrity, innovation, service, learning, balance – whatever resonates with you. Write them down. 2. Learn about the organisation. When you’re preparing for interviews, go beyond the job description. Research the company’s website, values, culture, team structure, leadership style. Ask during the interview: “How does this organisation reflect its stated values in practice?” 3. Match the role to your values. If you know you thrive when helping others – seek roles that emphasise mentoring, community service, or team development. If you’re driven by results and autonomy, find out how you’ll be evaluated, how much independence you’ll have. 4. Recognise when the “fit” isn’t there. Sometimes you’ll get an offer and realise the culture or ethos doesn’t fully align. That can be a red flag. Accepting a role where you don’t belong can impact your self-esteem and your ability to flourish. Why this matters for your long-term success When you join an organisation that fits you: You feel you belong, reducing stress and increasing engagement. You can fulfil your self-esteem needs, feeling valued, respected, confident. You move toward self-actualisation: doing work that resonates with your purpose. If you don’t feel you belong, you may indeed find yourself stuck. We all want more than to just perform at work—we want to belong, to contribute, to grow. Final thoughts So before you accept your next role, remember: your new employer isn’t just about job titles and salaries. It’s about People, Purpose, Place and whether you will feel you fit. By aligning your ideals with theirs, you’re not just stepping into a job, you’re stepping into a place where you can truly belong, flourish and bring your best self. Here’s to finding the right fit and being the right person, in the right place. With my best wishes for a productive week ahead |
