Nichole McGill-Higgins

Every plant has their own requirements in order to grow… and so do people.’ -Unknown

Just as plants need the right environment to thrive, people need a place where they feel they belong.

Whether it’s sunny or shaded, the perfect environment is out there for each of us. Finding it means understanding our unique needs.

When we feel supported and valued, our true potential comes alive. It’s important to nurture our environments to be inclusive, allowing everyone to bloom in their own way.

(BEE-Longing- Belonging, Emapthy, Equity = BEE 🐝)

🐝Reflective Coaching Questions🐝

1️⃣ How do you adjust your growth conditions when your needs change?

2️⃣ What does ‘belonging’ mean to you, and why is it important for your growth?

3️⃣ Reflect on a time you felt out of place. What did that teach you about where you thrive?

ALT Text: Three different plants in terracotta pots with a quote: ‘Every plant has their own requirements in order to grow… and so do people.

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We’ve all got that inner spark that can light up the darkest nights.

When you let your true self shine, you don’t just light your own path—you help others too. Just by being you, you give others the courage to shine.

Remember, sometimes your light is exactly what someone else needs to see their own path clearly.

Going into my self-care Friday Shining my light unapologetically - wishing you all a wonderful weekend ahead, filled with sprinkles of self-care✨👌🏽

🐝 Coaching Reflective Questions 🐝

1️⃣ Can you recall a moment when someone else's light guided you through a challenging time?

2️⃣ What tears or doubts might be dimming your light, and how can you overcome them?

3️⃣ How can you cultivate your light daily to ensure it shines even brighter?











ALT Text: Image of a young girl holding a lantern next to an elephant under a starry night sky, with the inspirational quote: 'Never underestimate your light. It may be your light that leads others out of the darkness."

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THIS MATTERS! - I'm so honoured and EXCITED to share that the 24/7 R**e and Sexual Abuse Support Line has been awarded the Helplines Standard by the Helplines Partnership. I am literally jumping for Joy.

This accolade is a testament to the outstanding service provided to anyone aged 16+ in England and Wales who has experienced sexual violence, abuse, or harassment at ANY POINT in their life.

As a survivor myself of SV, this work is not just a commitment but a priority, and it is incredibly close to my heart. Having played a key role in establishing the original 24-hour helpline, l am especially proud to see how these foundational efforts, alongside the hard work of Tricia O'Sullivan Dr Anuja Suntharamoorthy and so many orhers
have paved the way for vital services like the accredited support line.

This achievement underscores the unwavering dedication to ending sexual violence and affirms the high standards of this service, which includes options for online chat and multilingual support through Language Line. .

This is such an amazing achievement and will help so many people that are affected by sexual violence abuse and harassment.

Read more: https://ow.ly/Xzjp50Rk1ut
Visit our 24/7 Support Line website: https:// ow.ly/EbPE50Rk1us











Alt text: screenshot of Tricia O'Sullivan LinkedIn post also celebrating and announcing the Helpline partnership

Organisations often ask us to 'bring our whole selves to work' But what does that actually mean? In asking this which part are you truly inviting? As I know I have SO many reflections/layers to who I am.

Psychological safety is fundamental in creating workplaces where people truly feel seen, heard, welcomed, and valued. Without this foundation, being ourselves at work becomes a risk that many are not willing to take.

True self-expression should be rooted in an environment of safety—a space where everyone is free to speak up, share their thoughts, and be their genuine selves without fear of judgment.

Most Importantly, this openness should always be a choice, not an obligation. Knowing they have the option to share, if they choose to, makes all the difference in fostering a true culture of BEE-Longing (Belonging, Empathy, Equity = BEE)🐝 ®

It's about truly understanding each other’s backgrounds—this is what cultural intelligence looks like. It's also about being aware of our own and others' feelings— that’s emotional intelligence right there! And let’s not forget equity—ensuring that everyone is treated fairly and that individual needs are catered to.

Action, not just words, is necessary to turn these principles into reality. It’s about making real changes to foster environments where everyone can thrive and flourish.

We need efforts that go way beyond superficial, tokenistic gestures to cultivate workplaces that are safe, equitable, and truly inclusive, places where everyone genuinely feels they belong.

🐝Reflective Coaching Questions🐝

1️⃣ What does bringing your 'whole self to work' mean to you, and how do you decide which parts to share in the workplace?

2️⃣ Describe a time when you felt psychologically safe or unsafe at work. How did this impact your Behaviour and authenticity?

3️⃣ Have you ever refrained from sharing your thoughts or feelings at work due to fear of judgment? What changes would help you feel more comfortable?

Picture taken by my son Oaysis McGill-Reid ❤️

As we enter into a new week, this is one of my all-time favourite quotes and a profound reminder that "It shouldn't have to happen to you for it to MATTER to you" -Danielle Coke Balfour

🐝 Reflective coaching questions 🐝

1️⃣ What stops you from caring about broader issues? How can you overcome this?

2️⃣ How could understanding others' perspectives change your view on their challenges?

3️⃣ How can you contribute to causes that aren’t directly impacting you but are important?

Going into my self-care Friday reminding myself, that being your own cheerleader isn't always easy, but it's necessary for personal growth.

Recognising and celebrating your own achievements is key to this growth. Additionally, uplifting others is incredibly gratifying. Coaching allows me to uplift others, which totally feeds my passion.

Look back on your journey, appreciate your growth, clap your damn self, and never hesitate to offer assistance to those who might need it.

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend, when it comes -filled with sprinkles of self-care ✨

🐝Reflective Coaching Questions🐝

1️⃣ How have you grown personally and professionally over time?

2️⃣ How can you extend support to others who are on their own journey?

3️⃣ How do you currently acknowledge and celebrate your own achievements and progress?








Photographer: Lewis Patrick

Kintsugi, the ancient Japanese practice of fixing broken pottery with gold, doesn't just repair—it transforms. It offers more than an art lesson; it's a life lesson in self-acceptance, teaching us to embrace our imperfections not as flaws, but as highlights of our personal journey.

Embracing our flaws is the first step toward completely belonging to ourselves. This philosophy urges us to see the beauty in our 'brokenness' and to find strength in our scars. It declares that we are enough, just as we are, with all our perfect imperfections.

🐝Reflective Coaching Questions🐝

1️⃣ Where in your life can you apply "I am enough”?

2️⃣ What steps will lead you to true self-belonging?

3️⃣ How does Kintsugi inspire authentic living for you?

Been reflecting alot recently which took me to my personal quote:”My passion is stronger than my fear “ which featured in my book!

Here is the extract - ‘The Gift’ - Where I sit where I am now. I belong in the work that I'm doing, I always have.

I definitely feel this is my zone and my frequency. I created a quote for myself which is ‘my passion is stronger than my fear’ This has truly become one of my staple mantras. I have two definitions of F.E.A.R. -- ‘F’ Everything And Run or Face Everything And Rise. And sometimes they are both needed.

What I realised in my life was my passion and my fear had this inner Jedi fight, a battle for my purpose.

For many years I thought fear was my Achilles heel, I used FEAR as a scapegoat, blaming it instead of embracing it. When literally, within the last year - I had the biggest epiphany my passion needed my fear! It was the partner that allowed me to be informed and my fear was the fuel for my purpose, without it - I was only able to tap into half of my genius.

THIS WAS A MASSIVE EXPLOSION - A REALISATION! For the first time I felt empowered in a completely different way, my purpose was my expression, my passion was my driver, and my fear was my protector and informer.

I know what it feels like to be unseen. I know what it feels like not to be heard. I know what it feels like to dream. I know what it feels to fail. I know what it feels to have heartache. I know what it feels to be abandoned, rejected or to abandon myself.

So… I belong in this space of sharing my story, a story of belonging, and asking the questions:

🐝What does it mean to you to belong?

🐝How does one create self-acceptance?

🐝When is it safe to step into your power and be seen?

🐝 Who are you becoming right now?

Sometimes it’s really important to see how far you’ve come and how much you have evolved ☺️

The Gift - https://lnkd.in/eBMWYjgw

This one really hit me - "If you don't make time for your wellness, you will be forced to make time for your illness" -Joyce Sunada

Take a moment for yourself today. Pause to enjoy sprinkles of self-care; it pays the best interest.

Health is wealth, and self-compassion is your currency. Spend it wisely and remember, self-love is non-negotiable. 🌿

Feeling extremely grateful & grounded! These pictures & the feedback captures how I felt after delivering a virtual session on Monday, titled 'Confidence and Assertiveness for Women in the Workplace through a Belonging Lens.'

There is something powerful when a group of women can get together, being unapologetically themselves, and discussing their vulnerabilities, fears, and insecurities without judgement. 🧡

It's sessions like this that solidify why I do what I do: learning from people from all walks of life every single day, empowering women and witnessing those 'mic drop' moments live and in action is extremely humbling.

We dived into topics such as:

▪️What is self-esteem?
▪️Positive affirmations practice
▪️How to Know If You’re Under-Valuing Yourself
▪️Recognising Your Achievements at Work
▪️Applying Confidence Techniques
▪️Dealing with Imposter Syndrome
▪️Setting Professional Boundaries

Training and sharing the day with 33 inspiring women from various professional levels and different industries was a genuine pleasure ☺️

If you would like to join our next seesion or book a in-house session please contact Elisa Bucay at Westminster Insight

🐝Coaching reflective questions🐝

1️⃣ What action can you take today to boost your confidence?
2️⃣ Visualise your most confident self. What got you there?
3️⃣ Where do you feel most and least confident, and why?

Wishing you all a wonderful Easter and do you remember the sprinkle of self-care ✨







Photographer: Lewis Patrick
Location: Mayfield Lavender Farm, Banstead

The past couple of weeks have been quite intense, from my trip to The Gambia (the smiling coast) in Africa, exploring different excursions to include for my upcoming SoulCation Retreat, which is part of my Courage to BEE®️ series, to delivering back-to-back belonging coaching workshops.

And now, I find myself here in France, meeting my business coach of nearly 2 years from the States in person for the first time as we work on scaling up my business. As I thrive when I’m being creative.

Being in the deep, beautiful countryside of France has really grounded me and allowed me to drown out the noise and reconnect with nature.

Sometimes, we just need to be still and focus on one thing. As a business owner, I am constantly pouring from my cup and never been able to fill it back up quick enough. I needed this reset, this focused time, and I am super proud of myself for putting myself first (for a change).

I feel like my tank has been topped up, as I can still feel the rhythm and sun of Gambia inside me and the quietness of the French countryside that surrounds me. A wonderful combination.

I am definitely going into my self-care Friday with a glass of full-bodied red wine and a variety of delicious cheeses. Surrounded with flipcharts, highlighter pens, and post-its no doubt. ☺️🐝

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend, filled with sprinkles of self-care ✨

🐝Reflective Coaching Questions🐝

1️⃣What recent experiences have brought you grounding and peace?

2️⃣ In what ways do you ensure you're putting yourself first?

3️⃣ How do you fill your cup when it feels empty?

4️⃣ What self-care rituals do you look forward to?

🌍 I swear I have some of the best clients in the world 🌍

We've been working on the belonging roadmap through the Corporate BEE-Hive®️ for a couple of years now. What I particularly enjoyed about delivering this session last week, as it was an additional one, on top of training the entire organisation throughout last year.

What makes this session stand out is that it included all our new people, who've been with us for less than a year, most of them for less than six months.

This gave us the chance to dive into some essential questions about how our new starters feel as they step into our world, what real belonging looks like, and how we can fine-tune our recruitment and onboarding processes to make them even better.

We could have chosen a quick internal recap, or even skipped it altogether. But here's where UKAS shines—they're dead set on fostering a culture where everyone feels truly welcomed and valued. We wanted to ensure that everybody had the same in-person experience with this particular piece of training.

I applaud them for their ongoing dedication. Together, this is why I love working with organisations who are non-tokenistic.

We're definitely making a difference.
It's about walking the talk and putting real resources into doing this work.

Kanchan Agarwal, Chartered MCIPD and Stephanie Freeland - Associate CIPD you are an absolute dream to work with 🫶🏽☺️❤️

Picture credits: Lewis Patrick






"

I absolutely love the work that I do, especially when I’m working with CEOs and senior leadership teams who genuinely want to foster a culture of belonging, understanding that it requires empathetic, courageous, vulnerable, equitable and ethical leadership.

In this space, I navigate and take deep dives to broaden the perspectives of each person I coach and educate.🙌🏽

Had the pleasure of running 'The Corporate BEE-Hive®️ Belonging Roadmap' with the Serco senior leadership team over the past few months.

We had really rich conversations as we delved into:

✅Systemic and institutional behaviours
✅Understanding belonging to self
✅Equitable leadership
✅”It shouldn’t have to happen to you to matter to you"
✅Cultural add vs Cultural fit
✅Identifying low psychological safety
✅Understanding exclusion before we can even start to think about inclusion
✅ Bystander effect

As an organisation, this work is not going to be easy and it’s not meant to be however each and every individual has to do the inner work in understanding where their biases sit and how to dismantle them - this is a marathon, not a sprint!

I commend each and everyone of my clients as they’re in it for the long haul 👌🏽👏🏽

I genuinely love what I do; I feel humbled and blessed 🙏🏽🐝

Thank you, Mike Bedford 🧠🌶️, my ND brother, for delivering three fantastic hybrid sessions on Neurodiversity through a BEE-Longing lens last week and today as a part of The Corporate BEE-Hive®️ Roadmap - Just in time for Neurodiversity awareness week 🙌🏽

🌶️Covering some powerful topics:🌶️

🧠 What is Neurodiversity?
🧠 A business case for ND
🧠 Language of ND
🧠 What is ableism & how to avoid it
🧠 All about Belonging

Great feedback all around 🙌🏽🙌🏽


®️

✊🏽🍑Sticking 2 fingers up to body, shaming unapologetically🍑✊🏽

Last week, I was exploring The Gambia 🇬🇲for my upcoming retreat (which is in conjunction with my signature coaching program, The Courage To BEE®), and I attended a tradeshow that left me feeling warm inside.

What caught my attention were the mannequins, each boasting a curvaceous figure similar to my own. It was a subtle yet profound moment, reminding me of the beauty in embracing who we are, unapologetically.

For years, I've struggled with accepting my curves, feeling almost ashamed of my own body, believing that my curves didn't ‘fit’ society's narrow definition of beauty—especially in the Western world, I should hasten to add."

I realised that my curves are not something to be hidden or ashamed of – they are a part of who I am, unapologetically.

I'm passionate about fostering a sense of belonging through and acceptance. It's about acknowledging our worth, regardless of societal standards.

It's crucial to challenge these norms and celebrate diversity in all its forms. Body shaming has no place in a society where every individual deserves to feel seen, valued, and welcomed.

I am committed to rejecting the stigma of body shaming and creating a space where acceptance and belonging thrive. Just like that mannequin in The Gambia rocking its curves, let’s celebrate our bodies in all their shapes and sizes with courage!

🐝Reflective Coaching Questions🐝

1️⃣ What courageous step can you take today to honor your journey and embrace your authenticity?

2️⃣ How can you amplify your inner voice of worthiness and self-respect?

3️⃣ How have your own experiences shaped your perception of beauty and self-acceptance?

Amanda Bojang ❤️

®

Have you ever had a situation where it just feels absolutely surreal?

That happened to me, Last year, when I was invited to an event by David Villa-Clarke BEM, MBA to listen to a talk by
Jeanette Epps, PhD a black female astronaut and hear about her journey. It was literally the most inspirational impactful experience, and one that I can truly say, will be a lifelong memory.

Jeanette Epps, PhD an accomplished NASA Astronaut and Aerospace Engineer. She shared her inspiring career story and her thrilling mission to the International Space Station with the SpaceX Crew-8 team (she is actually in space now). She is set to conduct vital experiments, including groundbreaking research to push human exploration beyond the confines of low Earth orbit and create advantages for us back on Earth. Her presentation was so engaging, I literally felt like I was in sci-fi heaven!

You see I am a massive sci-fi fan and l’m that girl that who used to attend Star Trek conventions and was totally engrossed in Star Wars. Move over Picard, it’s all about Jeanette ☺️

I don’t think I can do Jeanette Justice in expressing how phenomenal she is, and her journey has been absolutely mind blowing.

I encourage you to watch this interview with Jeanette as it captures the true essence of her story. Representation truly matters. https://youtu.be/6e51fVXybwk?si=jBw0AIS_XsicqPZY

I'm truly thankful for the chance to meet Jeanette and to be introduced to such remarkable woman. (My grandchildren are super impressed that I know a black female astronaut) 🙌🏽☺️✊🏽

AND I feel completely honoured to have been a part of recording a safe journey message for Jeanette with everyone mentioned below ☺️

Thanks Nick Robeson and David Villa-Clarke BEM, MBA for orchestrating this meeting and for gathering together an impressive group of female leaders Veronica Martin OBE Cordelia Osewa-Ediae FRSA Rhoda Steel and Eniitan Page MCR, NEBOSH,MHFA ⭕️

This quote, for me, is the ultimate mic-drop moment and is among my absolute favourites!

"If Standing Up for Yourself Burns a Bridge, I Have Matches. We Ride at Dawn."-Unknown

Thinking back on the times we've had to stand up for ourselves, it's often felt like gearing up for an epic battle. But really, it shouldn't feel that way. Setting boundaries is our way of teaching and telling others how to treat us, whether in a work environment or our personal lives.

Stepping into our power can sometimes cast us in the role of the villain—seen as argumentative, overly tenacious, and viewed as the problem.

Yet, making the decision that enough is enough, and actually speaking up for oneself, is incredibly liberating. It brings a sense of freedom and pride because, after all, 'no' is a complete sentence.

This is something I've experienced firsthand and a conversation I've revisited many times during my coaching and sessions on belonging and one of the reasons why I created my signature coaching program The Courage to BEE®️

As it takes courage to be you in a world that almost dictates that we should be like everybody else. There's immense value in recognising that when you stand up for yourself and establish clear boundaries, the only ones who will feel aggrieved are those who previously benefited from the lack of those boundaries in the first place!

Standing up for ourselves, rooted in empathy and equity, is not about declaring war but freedom. It's a journey to where we truly belong, defining our identity unapologetically, without compromise.

Setting boundaries isn't just protection; it's an act of empathy, ensuring everyone's treated with fairness.

As we set off at dawn, remember, burning bridges is not about conflict but lighting the way to a life where we're valued and understood. It's a chance to show the world our worth, embodying the essence of belonging, empathy, and equitable treatment.

So, if standing up for yourself means lighting that fire, embrace it as an opportunity to live freely and authentically, reflecting the respect and opportunities we ALL deserve!

, , = BEE 🐝

Picture credit to my amazing photographer Lewis Patrick 🙏🏽☺️

🔎Reflective Coaching Questions:🔎

1️⃣Where in your life do you need to set clearer boundaries?

2️⃣How can embracing your unique identity transform your relationships and opportunities?

3️⃣What fears have held you back from standing up for yourself, and how can you overcome them?

4️⃣How does the idea of 'burning bridges' for the right reasons resonate with you?


®️

I had the pleasure of delivering a hybrid session for the entire organisation at Republic of Media last week, focusing on Psychological Safety through a Lens, which is a component of my Corporate BEE-Hive® programme.

My journey took me to Manchester, the city of the Bee 🐝, so naturally, I was SUPER happy 😃

Psychological safety is absolutely paramount in the journey to cultivate belonging within an organisation. Here are some of the topics we explored:

🎯Psychological safety versus psychological danger

🎯Cultural Add vs Culture Fit

🎯Open communication

🎯Respectful diversity

🎯Accessible leadership

🎯Common barriers and misconceptions

🎯Recognising signs of low psychological safety

It was a fantastic session, as always. I loved the interaction and the powerful questions asked in all the sessions.

Thank you Dean Mckenzie Leigh Herbert
Robertson Aiguste Mockute William Pearson Deborah Mackay for always making me feel welcome and being fantastic hosts 🙏🏽☺️.

🐝Reflective Coaching Questions🐝

1️⃣How are you actively fostering psychological safety within your teams and organisation?

2️⃣ In what ways can you contribute to creating a 'Cultural Add' rather than just fitting into the existing culture?

3️⃣What steps can you take to ensure open communication and respectful diversity are practiced in your work environment?

I’m now looking forward to enjoying self-care Friday tomorrow and extending that into the weekend☺️

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend when it comes and do you remember a sprinkle of self-care ✨

🎭 The Courage to BEE®️: The smiling, clown, metaphor, 🎭

During a leadership coaching session I ran, we got into how sticking to society's norms can make us lose who we really are. We talked about psychological safety, how tough it is for underrepresented groups to feel they must hide their true selves to fit in, and what leaders can do to make everyone feel they belong.

We all agreed that at some point, we've felt like the 'smiling clown' – putting on a show to meet others' expectations while hiding our real selves. This led to a conversation on the importance of being open and vulnerable, showing that it's okay to be your true self, which in turn helps others feel they belong too.

I really like the smiling clown metaphor. It's a powerful reminder to drop the act, face our real selves, and find strength in being authentic. Through the story of the smiling clown, we see the importance of standing by our truths, which creates a deep and powerful sense of belonging.

But it's more than just about feeling happy or sad; it's about finding where you truly belong, starting from within. The smiling clown pushes us to seek authenticity not in others' approval but in accepting ourselves.

So, let's shine, work on ourselves, and be unapologetically us!

🐝Reflective Coaching Questions:🐝

1️⃣Can you recall a moment when you felt like the 'smiling clown'? How did it impact your sense of self and belonging?

2️⃣What masks do you find yourself wearing in your professional life? What might it look like to take them off?

3️⃣How can creating a space for vulnerability within your team foster a deeper sense of belonging for everyone?

4️⃣In what ways have societal codes influenced your leadership style or personal growth, and how can you challenge these influences moving forward?

Mike Bedford🧠🌶️ Its an absolute pleasure to have your expertise, passion and brilliance, as part of the HIVE, continuing to build the hive mentality of collaboration in organisations, via a coaching methodology and fostering Belonging, Empathy & Equity (BEE) 🐝☺️🙌🏽 its going to be ✨🔥 AND we BOTH Have a strong affiliation to our Bee brand 🐝😁 Welcome to our growing team,🙌🏽💛☺️

I absolutely love this Marilyn Monroe quote: "The sky is not the limit. Your mind is." - It's simply beautiful and incredibly empowering.

As we start a new week, let this be an empowering reminder that our minds hold the key to unlocking boundless potential and achieving greatness beyond measure.

So, let's not settle for mediocrity or confine ourselves to the constraints of the familiar. Instead…… let's dare to dream bigger, think bolder, and embrace the journey of self-discovery and growth.

Let's welcome the extraordinary, break through barriers, and rewrite our stories.
And remember, self-care is your loyal partner on this transformative journey, helping you do the inner work. 💫

Happy Monday ☺️