Author · Speaker · Strengths Expert
I help leaders and organisations build workplaces where people thrive — through keynotes, books and consulting grounded in the science of strengths.
Praise
Real words from leaders I've worked with.
“Superbly practical and accessible — it can significantly improve your bottom line.”
“A compelling, practical and evidence-based challenge to how we approach talent development.”
“A wonderful speaking style — a passionate, authentic expert who makes the subject accessible.”
“The energy during the session was palpable — every participant was genuinely engaged.”
“Excellence and fulfilment come from knowing our strengths and being more of ourselves.”
“Sally gave a wonderfully inspirational talk at our 25th anniversary event in Madrid. She even gave it in Spanish in order to prove her point about strengths. We were quite wowed by her preparation and dedication, and very pleased to see that everyone in the audience both enjoyed it and learnt something!”
“Sally's dedication to finding out what makes the best people tick in any organisation is ushering in a new breed of dramatically more effective talent acquisition and development approaches which everyone — employer, employee and customer — benefits from.”
Clients I have worked with
About
Early in my career at BT International, I was promoted into a role that simply didn't fit — a square peg in a round hole. I was capable, but the work asked for things that weren't my natural strengths, and it showed.
A decade later, at a conference on positive psychology and business, it clicked: I'd been set up to struggle in a role that ignored what I did best. That realisation sent me deep into the research on strengths-based approaches — and how they outperform traditional competency models.
In 2012 I founded the strengths consultancy Engaging Minds, and in 2021 joined PA Consulting as a partner to take the mission global. My aim is simple and stubborn: make organisations places where people love their work and genuinely thrive.
“Excellence and fulfilment come from knowing our strengths and being more of ourselves.”
A principle at the heart of my work
Work
“What if the world is holding its breath — waiting for you to take the place that only you can fill?”
David Whyte - poet
I help people take their rightful place in the world and make their unique contribution by being the best and biggest version of themselves. I do this through leading workshops, giving talks and hosting conversations that energise people and change their thinking.
People work with me for who I am, not just for my expertise. These are some of the things people tell me they love about working with me and the difference it makes.
“Sally is like an archaeologist of the human heart. She helps people uncover the gold that is already there, polish it, let it shine and share it with others.”
Individuals come away with emotional and practical takeaways — they feel good, have fun and feel more connected to themselves and others. On a practical note, they have questions, exercises and strategies to make the changes they want.
I work with people and organisations who want positive change. The people who want to work with me tend to be bold and courageous. They're often impatient people who are fed up with the status quo and jaded with the usual people practices in organisations. They want to make a difference and want positive change now. They want results for their organisation and know intuitively that results only come when people are thriving.
I care about making things fairer, better and more enjoyable for people. I only get involved with things I think I can make a difference to and with people who genuinely want to partner to create positive change. I regularly see wasted potential and witness suffering as people bend themselves out of shape, try to be something they're not and struggle to navigate demanding jobs and lives.
The Books
From a personal guide to thriving at work, to a practical programme, to the evidence case for strengths-based organisations.
A book for everyone: why knowing and using your strengths is the key to happiness and fulfilment, at work and in life. Incorporated into development programmes at the Department of Work and Pensions, Ministry of Justice and Home Office.
Get the book
A practical eight-week programme to discover your strengths and put them to work — a hands-on path to thriving.
Get the book
The business case, for organisations — drawing on results at the NHS, Saga, Starbucks and SABMiller.
Get the bookAlso by me
As well as these three books on strengths, I've written and co-written six further books (five on other work-related matters and co-editing a book of writing by people in prison).
As featured in
Speaking & Keynotes
My engaging, conversational style plants fresh, practical ideas that audiences act on. I speak to leadership teams, HR and L&D communities, and conference stages worldwide.
Enquire about a keynoteHelping individuals and teams find and use what they do best.
Rethinking how organisations recruit, develop and lead.
Leading from strengths to build engaged, high-performing teams.
drop in staff turnover
rise in productivity
higher customer satisfaction
Documented strengths-based results across client organisations.
Contact
Booking me for a keynote, exploring a strengths programme, or after the books? Get in touch — I work with organisations across Europe, the US and Asia.