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The Happy Business School Helping businesses understand the power of happiness and learn how to increase it in the workplace.
� Workshops � Consulting � Thought Leadership

If I had a pound for a every time someone told me managing people is the hardest part of their role, I’d definitely be a...
21/09/2026

If I had a pound for a every time someone told me managing people is the hardest part of their role, I’d definitely be able to treat myself to a spa day or maybe even a new coat.

I’ve been there. Parachuted into a position I wasn’t ready for. Learning on the job is great but leadership is a skill that needs to be honed, both through formal training and organically.

That’s why I’ve created The Joyful Leader’s Playbook. Five super practical moves to help you up your leadership game. It won’t give you all the answers but it will give you some simple changes you can make this week. And it’s free.

Link in my bio or drop me a DM to get your hands on a copy.

Relationships take work. After a busy summer, my husband and I marked the start of the new term with a child-free night ...
07/09/2026

Relationships take work.

After a busy summer, my husband and I marked the start of the new term with a child-free night away in London. We had so much fun as a family over the summer, but the weekend reminded me how important it is to take time to focus on our relationship with each other.

The same goes in the workplace. Sometimes we are so familiar with those we work closely with, we forget we still need to work on those relationships.

It might be taking a team member for a coffee, having lunch with a colleague or arranging a team social, but finding time to nurture those connections is so important.

In a world where hybrid working is the norm for many, investing in these relationships can take more effort and planning - but it is undoubtedly worth it.

And remember, if you need any help creating a thriving workplace culture - whether it's leadership training, planning an away day, workshops to get team working better together - I'm here for you. Just drop me a line.

The summer holiday juggle has began! We escaped to Paris for a few days last week (and got our Disney fix!), which was a...
13/07/2026

The summer holiday juggle has began!

We escaped to Paris for a few days last week (and got our Disney fix!), which was amazing (if a tad on the toasty side).

Back to work this week whilst grandparents step in to help.

If you’re a working parent, how do you manage the summer holiday juggle?

P.S. If you’ve got 30 minutes this Thursday (12 noon) why not join Nicola Jackson and me for our free webinar to learn about our new online leadership programme, The Thrive Collective, launching in September.

Find the link in the comments or drop me a DM to sign up.

This was me last Thursday, in my element, interviewing the fabulous Faye Dicker on stage at The Founders Playground. We ...
18/05/2026

This was me last Thursday, in my element, interviewing the fabulous Faye Dicker on stage at The Founders Playground.

We were talking about the importance of community. How we need the support of others around us to do great things (and just to keep us sane!).

It was such a joyful day. And so lovely to see some familiar faces (Tamsin Broster, Amy Stevens, Ellie Bowie, Nicky Marshall, Jenna Wilson, Helene Jewell CPF to name a few) and to make some great new connections too (especially Storm Wilson- Kennedy and Laura Cloherty).

Also, big thanks to Rosie Parsons for capturing some great shots of us on stage.

What does community mean to you? Who raises you up and cheers you on?

I won’t fix your culture. Here’s the truth, working with me for six months won’t ‘fix’ your culture. I don’t have a magi...
04/05/2026

I won’t fix your culture.

Here’s the truth, working with me for six months won’t ‘fix’ your culture. I don’t have a magic wand I can wave that will bring about change overnight.

What you will get from working with me is:
- clarity on what you want your culture to look and feel like
- a bunch of tools and a clear plan to help you get from where you are now to where want to be
- insights and advice to help you hone your skills and adjust your mindset and behaviours, allowing you to thrive and be more joyful at work
- a cheerleader/coach/confidente to walk alongside you as you start to make changes
- plenty of ‘I never thought of it like that’ moments

If this sounds like something your organisation needs, drop me a line. I’d love to chat.

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Hello, I'm Carly...I thought it was time for a fresh intro post to explain a bit about me and what I do - so here it is!...
24/04/2026

Hello, I'm Carly...

I thought it was time for a fresh intro post to explain a bit about me and what I do - so here it is!

And if you'd like a monthly dose of workplace culture and leadership insights sign up for my newsletter.

There's a sign up link in my Instagram bio.

I used to wear black to try and fit in. A contributor at an event I attended shared those words and I thought, me too....
09/03/2026

I used to wear black to try and fit in.

A contributor at an event I attended shared those words and I thought, me too.

In my corporate days I was far too concerned with needing to look like a lawyer, or to dress like a leader. (What does a leader even look like?)

Now I’ve grown and gained the confidence to be myself (although imposter syndrome still comes to visit from time to time) I dress much more authentically.

But we need to find the confidence to be ourselves. In the workplace, leaders can play their part in creating a culture where everyone can express themselves authentically. Not just in the way they dress but by making sure everyone is seen and included, through policies, language but most importantly attitude.

On the theme of International Women’s Day we need to find ways to raise up the women in our workplaces (and those who feel excluded from them). To create workplaces where everyone can thrive in a way that feels true to them.

Culture is built in mirco-moments, so what small actions are you taking this IWD to make big changes to inclusion in your workplace?

Over half term we tried our hand at orienteering for the first time. It was actually really fun (and yes, we do have mat...
23/02/2026

Over half term we tried our hand at orienteering for the first time. It was actually really fun (and yes, we do have matching bobble hats!).

I just can’t resist a good analogy so if you want help navigating your culture journey and setting your leadership on the right course (ok, even I am groaning at that one…) sign up for my newsletter (or just drop me a line) to find out about my newly designed offering The Joy Journey: Own It, Lead It, Live It.

So have you tried anything new recently? Did you have any half term adventures?

Newsletter sign up link in bio. 😊

❤️ Do you need to show your team more love this year? ❤️ I’m working on new offering - The Joy Journey: Own It, Lead It...
16/02/2026

❤️ Do you need to show your team more love this year? ❤️

I’m working on new offering - The Joy Journey: Own It, Lead It, Live It. It will be a sort of ‘pick and mix’ suite of options so you can build a programme that’s right for your organisation.

Watch this space (and maybe join my mailing list?) to find out more! (Newsletter sign up link in bio.)

(Photo of the super cute Valentine’s cake I enjoyed on my Galentine’s trip to Newcastle at the weekend.)

It’s been a while since I properly said ‘hello’ on here. So I thought I’d do just that.Hello! I’m Carly, founder of The ...
09/02/2026

It’s been a while since I properly said ‘hello’ on here. So I thought I’d do just that.

Hello! I’m Carly, founder of The Happy Business School, mum to a hilarious, if slightly feisty, 7-year-old daughter and wife to a sports-mad, musical theatre-loving husband.

In a former life I had a very traditional career as a lawyer. I was pretty good at my job so I became one of those ‘accidental’ manager. I was pretty good at that and before I knew it I was in a senior leadership role. Having my daughter (and developing rheumatoid arthritis when she was six weeks old!) changed everything.

At the end of 2021, I left my job to set up The Happy Business School. It’s been one hell of a journey but it was the best decision I ever made. I love my job. Getting to work with all sorts of organisations, helping people to thrive - and helping fellow ‘accidental’ leaders develop the skills they need to lead with compassion and integrity brings me more joy than I ever thought possible.

In my spare time (and by that I mean the rare times between watching the latest ‘show’ my daughter has lovingly created and asking 653 times for her to put her coat/shoes/ipad on/away) I love to travel, eat out, go to the theatre and cook.

My claims to fame are that I met the late Queen whilst training to be a barrister and had a tiny cameo in a BAFTA Cymru winning film made in my home town of Tredegar. I also might have popped into 10 Downing Street a couple of times!

So, do we have anything in common? What’s something most people don’t know about you?

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