top of page
Blog
SharpMinds founder Tracy Sharp's latest thoughts on happiness, confidence and navigating life setbacks.


From Engineer to Manager: Is Leadership the Right Career Path for You?
Photo by Burst on Unsplash If you work in a technical field, you've probably faced the question at some point: should you move into...
4 min read
55


5 Ways to Build Self Confidence in a Male-Dominated Industry
Photo by Quino Al on Unsplash Working in a male-dominated field like engineering or design can be both rewarding and challenging and I...
3 min read
51


"Do I Just Really Suck at My Job?"
Photo by Igor Omilaev on Unsplash We’ve all been there—feeling like maybe we’re just not good enough at work. This thought can creep in...
3 min read
62


Help! I’ve Been Made Redundant - What Now?
Photo by Fernando Venzano on Unsplash I’ve been seeing this call for help far too often over the last couple of years, and honestly, it...
3 min read
89


Stuck In A Rut? Start here....
It's almost 3 years since I lost my job. As cliched as it sounds, it's honestly been the best thing to ever happen to me but it has...
4 min read
72


3 Months To Rebuild A Life
I held the phone to my ear whilst Sarah tried to help me regulate my breathing. I was sobbing in gasps, utterly overwhelmed at the task...
11 min read
5,062


Leadership Skills That Stick - What the Best (and Worst) Bosses Teach Us
Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash A former client had just gotten a promotion and it was the first time they would be leading a...
3 min read
0


Overcoming Self-Doubt: Understanding Imposter Syndrome and Its Many Forms
Photo by Gabrielle Wright on Unsplash I was 39 when my imposter syndrome reached its peak. I’d applied and interviewed for a job I...
5 min read
1


Authenticity as a Leader: What It Means and Why It Feels So Hard
Photo by Daniele Franchi on Unsplash I think about authenticity as a leader all the time. It absolutely breaks my heart to see how hard...
3 min read
2


Growth Mindset Activities for Self-Critics: What Actually Helped Me Change
Photo by Suzanne D. Williams on Unsplash I’ve always struggled at being nice to myself. To everyone else? No problem. But when...
3 min read
10


Mentor Definition vs Coach: Which One Do You Need Right Now?
Photo by Nadir sYzYgY on Unsplash I recently wrapped up another cycle of the Kerning the Gap mentoring program, where I’d been...
3 min read
22


What Is Reflective Practice—Turning Uncertainty Into Action
Photo by Marc-Olivier Jodoin on Unsplash I’d been working with a female founder for a few months. At the beginning of our sessions, we’d...
4 min read
34


How to Have Difficult Conversations at Work (Without the Stress)
Photo by Maxime Gilbert on Unsplash Difficult conversations are inevitable in any career. Whether it’s pushing back on unrealistic...
3 min read
37


Empowering Women Through Allyship: A Guide for Good Leaders
Photo by Edgar Chaparro on Unsplash Allyship has been a cornerstone of my journey. It’s not an overstatement to say that I would not be...
3 min read
11


Proven Strategies for Women in STEM to Get Promoted
Photo by Raquel Moss on Unsplash I’m getting a bit tired of hearing stories of women in STEM being passed over for promotion — or...
3 min read
34


Bringing Clarity and Energy to Leadership: Key Strategies for Empowering Teams
Photo by Joshua Hibbert on Unsplash A recent restructuring left me questioning my place. The uncertainty made me wonder if I should...
3 min read
33


Work-life Balance: Can You Have a Successful Career and a Family?
Photo by Elena Mozhvilo on Unsplash “Do you have kids?” “No.” “Well… I’d still like your opinion on this… Is it possible to have a...
3 min read
17


How to Make Your Resume Stand Out: Top CV Tips
Photo by Bram Naus on Unsplash Over the past few months, I’ve had mentoring conversations with professionals navigating career...
3 min read
84


Stuck in a rut? Try this....
It was a hot, sunny day in Shenzhen, 2020. I’d gone to a pool with my friend Laura, who was reading Designing Your Life by Dave Evans...
3 min read
92


Ah hello Imposter Syndrome, who let you in?!
It's best I begin with saying I'm not an expert in imposter syndrome. I don't have a degree in it or a piece of paper that means I would...
4 min read
131


Diversity in Engineering & Design: What can we do for 2023?
"As a smart, capable woman you have to accept that you will be hated." "Well women never apply for the jobs in the first place so what...
7 min read
111


What to do when you start to feel.... 'Is this it?'
3 years ago I was sitting on my sofa in Shenzhen. I had worked hard my whole life to get to this moment. I had a beautiful apartment with...
6 min read
99


Eat, Heal, Love: An Italian Odyssey
November 26th 2022. My Italian Odyssey was over. I booked my flight from Venice to London. I sold my furniture, handed in my notice in...
6 min read
565


When the only person standing in your way to success .... is you
I'm so bloody stubborn sometimes. I'm naturally very driven and I've had a lifetime of trying to prove to others, and myself, that I'm...
3 min read
86
bottom of page