Penelope Tobin
Founder & Creative Director | Barrier Breakers
London, United Kingdom, UNITED KINGDOM
Author, barrier-breaker, soft skills advocate, and jazz musician
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Biography
I'm the founder and CEO of Barrier Breakers, the soft skills training and development consultancy. Drawing on my past experience as a professional jazz pianist and composer, as well as my academic research and business experience, I created BBM, the award-winning approach to soft skills development. BBM is used in all Barrier Breakers' training and consultancy, as well as in the work of Barrier Breakers Foundation with disadvantaged groups. I write books for personal and professional development, the latest being The Jazz of Business: Leadership in a New Groove.
Industry Expertise (3)
Corporate Leadership
Professional Training and Coaching
Training and Development
Areas of Expertise (3)
Leadership Development
Organizational Development
Personal Development
Accomplishments (3)
Author (professional)
I've published 3 books [Barrier Breakers: Be Yourself Brilliantly; The Journal: and The Jazz of Business: Leadership in a New Groove] as well as numerous articles for training, educational, business, and academic magazines and journals.
Founder and CEO of charity (professional)
I'm the founder and CEO of Barrier Breakers Foundation, the foremost soft skills development charity in the UK. Using BBM (Barrier Breakers Methodology for Soft Skills Development & Evaluation) we help disadvantaged young people develop the essential skills for employability and wellbeing.
Jazz pianist, composer, vocalist (personal)
I've run groups in London and New York, including my own sextets and a 17-piece jazz orchestra, and have performed all over the world.
Education (2)
Middlesex University: BA (Hons) Performing Arts
City University London: MA, Leadership & Managing Change
Affiliations (2)
- FRSA
- Barrier Breakers Foundation
Links (3)
Testimonials (3)
Brian Rowe, Senior Industry Consultant for International Affairs, Development, Government and Policy at George Washington University | BBM Leadership
I had the pleasure of attending a seminar taught by Penelope. She was by far the most informative, concise, and beneficial presenter. Her work in Human Development is cutting edge. If you have a need for organization consultants or for human capital development, do not hesitate to contact her
Guy Griffiths, Director, GGFit Ltd | BBM BreaksThru
Everyone should attend the BBM BreaksThru day; it’s so worthwhile and has so many applications in work and personal life. It really helped with my coaching techniques for others and my personal business development as well. Thank you!
Danette O’Hara, Head of Marketing, YWCA Central Club | Break Your Barriers, Build Your Potential
I came away from the workshop feeling inspired – it gave meaning and structure to my thoughts. I loved the day! BBM is such a fab thing and Penelope is so inspirational!!
Sample Talks (1)
The Jazz of Business: Leadership in a New Groove
Based on my book, this lively, provocative keynote talk is for business leaders at every level, and proposes that jazz-leadership is the model of the future. If the traditional leader looked like the conductor of an orchestra, the new one looks like the leader of a jazz group - a jazz-leader. The talk is made even more exciting if I am able to demonstrate points by playing the piano, accompanied by bass, drums, and saxophone.
Style
Availability
- Keynote
- Moderator
- Panelist
- Workshop Leader
- Host/MC
- Author Appearance
- Corporate Training
Social