‘Soft skills are the future of work’
Forbes Magazine
View my showreel
Speaker, Academic, Troublemaker (in a good way.)
Si has delivered talks, workshops and learning experiences for some amazing organisations across the UK and globally — including Nike, Carlsberg, Boots, E-ON, Central Saint Martins, Law Society, Creative Conscience and many more.
He blends:
20+ years in industry and academia
High-energy teaching and facilitation
A deep research background in human skills, habit-based learning and upskilling.
A fresh, irreverent style that cuts through the usual corporate noise
Whether it’s a keynote on the future of learning, a workshop on creativity or curiosity, or a full training programme to level-up human skills, Si brings energy, clarity, humour and practical tools people actually use.
Let's open the Sidedoor...
To change, growth and better performance.
Visit sidedoor.studio to see more of Si’s work.
Become a killer upskiller.
I believe that we are all natural born upskillers.
Upskilling - the desire to learn, to change to grow and develop, to transform - is what makes us human . Giraffes don’t want to become brain surgeons.
But for various reasons – an outdated education system, increasing distraction, death by PowerPoint, we’ve fallen out of love with learning.
My experience in marketing, visual storytelling, academia and business means that I can create learning that is genuinely transformative and enjoyable.
I develop and deliver workshops, keynotes, courses, content and consultancy. Powered by pedagogy (learning design) and heutagogy (self-empowerment). From global brands to small businesses. It’s all about engaging, inspiring and embedding authentic learning.
I help others reconnect with human skills like curiosity, critical thinking and collaboration. And develop lifelong habits like asking better questions, challenging conformity and remixing ideas.
I’m a Killer Upskiller because of my experience, my passion and my belief that learning can change the world. We can all be upskillers. It’s fundamental to our future. So let’s start now.
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What was the last event that genuinely made a difference. That inspired you to decide to make a change. And then actually do it?
There are so many talks that are desperately dull, too crammed with facts, or all about the ego.
I should know. Because I’ve given hundreds of them. As an academic, a businessperson and a speaker.
Then, a few years ago, I had an epiphany. Focus on one key habit. One key thing that people can implement immediately. Where they can see the benefit, understand how to action it. Give it a go and see if it works.
So now my talks are all about communicating, easy, simple change. Habits like:
Remix ideas – hunt down ideas and deconstruct, play, experiment, combine them to create fresh ideas
Question everything – evaluate, probe, challenge, debate – because complex problems start with better understanding
Explore further – go broader, deeper. Look beyond the obvious. Find best practice, inspiration and insights that drive innovation and help solve problems.
Listen & learn – understand alternative perspectives, cultures, attitudes, in order to truly understand who you want to influence and what will persuade them to change.
And it made a difference. I got great comments, testimonials and really positive feedback. And I found a greater fulfilment in my work.
Just goes to show. You can teach an old dog new tricks.
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I deliver workshops on:
• AI&U – How to supercharge your Critical Thinking in the age of AI• Fresh thinking - The power of creative problem solving
• Killer Upskiller – Learn how to learn smarter, deeper, happier
• The Curious leader – Why curiosity is the secret sauce of better business
• Social learning – How you and your team can upskill in your downtime
• What’s the story? – Stronger storytelling = better communication
For detailed information visit: https://www.sidedoor.studio/training-events -
You want to help people to change, to grow, to fulfil their potential.
But you also know that corporate training can often be one size fits all - traditional, boring, ineffective.
So, how do you create genuine transformation that changes learning culture.For detailed information visit: https://www.sidedoor.studio/training-events
Let’s work together to put human skills at the heart of your business.
Seven reasons soft skills matter:
“85% of job success comes from soft skills and only 15% from technical skills”
— Harvard Business School
“The biggest challenge facing organisations is identifying and developing individuals with the ability to think creatively”
— The Economist
“Now, particularly with AI, employees and companies should prioritise developing soft skills, especially around ethics & interpersonal communication.”
— Fast Company
“In over 10,000,000 job adverts, creativity was the number one skill employers were looking for”
“The ability to manage, organise, cultivate and nurture creative thinking is directly linked to growth and achievement”
— Ernst & Young
“In the age of AI, human creativity and innovation will become even more valuable in the workplace”
— Sundar Pichai, CEO of Alphabet.
“Only 1 in 4 people believe they are living up to their own creative potential. And 71% say creative thinking should be taught”
— Adobe
My clients:
Check out one of my talks.
“Be More Bowie – lessons in creativity from a rock icon”
As part of Nottingham Digital Summit 2023
si@sibeales.com
Nottingham
28 Broad Street, Nottingham, NG1 3AN
Tel: 07802 777306
