I had the good fortune of sharing the floor with Alison Blackler delivering a presentation to client Project Four Safety Solutions Ltd. a pioneering UK construction safety company based in Liverpool as part of their latest wellbeing day recently.

The main thread running through the highly interactive-based event was ‘mentally tough teams’. Alison explored the concept of mental toughness in relation to stress management, overcoming setbacks and maintaining performance.

The ensuing conversations amongst Project Four’s people considered the definition of mentally tough teams, what they are and what they are not, along with the importance of mental toughness, the strengths and challenges and an alternative concept – mental strength.

Alison also highlighted the power of self-awareness as part of the presentation and uniquely, shared her knowledge on ‘mental sensitivity’, its benefits and challenges.

There was a great deal of camaraderie between everybody in the room during the hour-long session…testament to the culture of Project Four, driven by Alan Robson. Max Meadows, Steve Rossiter MInstLM Karen Benson and of course, Alison’s style of engagement.

She finished off the workshop with tips and strategies for balancing mental sensitivity and toughness as well as setting everybody a developmental task in the room…’identify one small step people can take action on in the next week to align more closely with their vision of prioritising their well-being’.

As Alison, myself and Project Four agreed, the whole event encouraged the kind of conversations that teams at work rarely have without initiatives like that put together by Project Four on the day and ongoing.

In my opinion, the subject matter and response represents the future of human development at work in driving performance.