BLOGS
Learn something new today!
Get info on the latest coaching techniques, employment industry insights, learn how to build trust with your clients and get tips on how to keep your mindset fresh as a daisy! There is so much to learn, you just gotta dive in!
Maria’s latest blog includes a big reveal…Compass by Bounce is our brand-new AI learning guide designed to support (not replace) Job Coaches. Practise using hypothetical scenarios, reflect on your approach, and build confidence between sessions with prompts grounded in the Bounce way. Compass is coming soon, so if you want practical, in-the-moment support you can apply straight away, take a read to find out how!
After the sparkle of Bounce’s 20th birthday celebrations, July arrived with a familiar reality check. Maria's latest blog reflects on the “birthday hangover” that can follow a major milestone, and why the middle of the year is the perfect moment to pause, reset and reconnect with what matters. It’s an invitation to activate hope, create clarity and take the next meaningful step into the second half of 2026.
From a lounge room idea in Maryborough to more than 5,000 programs delivered and 30,000 lives impacted, Bounce’s 20-year story is one of courage, reinvention and relentless belief in people’s potential. In this milestone reflection, Maria shares her story - the moments, people, pivots and lessons that shaped Bounce’s journey, from early uncertainty to global reach, and celebrates the heart that has kept Bounce evolving for two decades.
Last week’s National Press Club address from Employment Minister Amanda Rishworth confirmed something many in employment services have known for years:
A one-size-fits-all system was never going to unlock human potential.
The proposed reforms are a big step forward. They recognise the importance of tailored support and quality job coaching. Here's Kelly's take on what the reforms will mean for the sector going forward.
Being busy, emotionally available, and constantly switched on might feel normal, but it can quietly become unhealthy. Maria’s latest blog explores emotional load and the subtle signs of empathy fatigue, and shares a simple, practical tool, such as the Empathy Pause, to protect your energy while staying deeply human. Discover more real-life stories and resilience frameworks in Building Resilient Pathways.
Holding space is one of the most powerful and most misunderstood coaching skills of our time. Maria’s latest blog explores why slowing down, embracing silence, and leading with genuine curiosity create deeper insight, trust, and lasting change. Rather than rushing to fix or advise, holding space allows clients to feel safe enough to think clearly, access their own wisdom, and move forward with confidence. If you want to coach, lead, or support others more effectively in 2026, this is the skill that changes everything.
Spot the early emotional intelligence red flags that quietly undermine team culture. Maria’s latest blog breaks down the five EI weaknesses leaders face at the start of the year — and shows how strengthening emotional intelligence boosts psychological safety, deepens trust, and drives high performance teams. Perfect for emerging and experienced leaders who want practical, evidence based strategies to lead with clarity and impact.
This post challenges the myth of January as a magical reset, exploring how unresolved stress, emotional fatigue, and cognitive overload often carry into the new year. It highlights the importance of building true capacity—emotional, cognitive, skill, relational, and identity—rather than piling on new goals. Discover practical ways to support wellbeing and create a sustainable, resilient start to the year.
As the year winds down, it’s tempting to just get through it, but real leaders finish strong. In this Bounce Blog, discover three evidence-based strategies to help you refocus, recharge, and recognise your progress before the year ends. You’ll learn how to manage your energy, celebrate your wins, and carry momentum into the new year, without burning out. This is your reminder to pause, realign, and close with purpose.
If your version of self-care feels heavy, you're not alone. At Bounce, we believe wellbeing doesn't have to be another to-do. In this month's blog, Maria helps you discover Three Good Things, a simple, science-backed practice to help you refocus, reset, and find lightness in the little moments that matter.
Strong onboarding sets the tone for everything that follows — performance, retention, and team culture. This blog explores why investing in new hires from day one isn’t just good practice, it’s essential. Discover how onboarding and development can unlock better results for your team and your organisation.
With the new Inclusive Employment Australia program launching, providers must prioritise trust and relationships. Discover how our Job Coach Certification helps teams deliver on this promise.
Self-awareness is the edge that sets exceptional leaders apart from the rest. By embracing self-awareness, leaders can unlock their full potential, cultivate strong relationships, and steer their teams towards success. Maria's latest blog explains the key traits you need to develop.
Santa's "Thrive List" blog celebrates resilience and growth during the holiday season. It emphasises prioritising what matters most, celebrating small wins, staying resilient amidst the chaos, and giving the gift of gratitude. It encourages you to acknowledge your place on the Thrive List, earned through your resilience, determination, and optimism, and to carry that thriving spirit into the New Year
Yet, as January progresses, the enthusiasm accompanying these resolutions can wane, leaving us feeling disheartened and demotivated. Is there a more effective approach to goal-setting than the fleeting nature of resolutions?
Whether you’re putting a resume together for a client or pointing your job seekers in the right direction, these resume and cover letter templates have you well and truly covered!
Society has this funny little habit of trying to cram square pegs into a round hole, but what if I told you that there is a way to match the square peg to the round hole without having to grind off the edges?
According to the Department of Education, Skills and Training, the time job seekers spend unsuccessfully looking for work can wear down an individuals’ confidence and reduce their motivation to search for work, further compounding the existing barriers to employment.
Integrity. It’s a word that’s thrown around a lot. Employers want it, employees need it, and training companies talk it up, but no one ever actually discusses what it is. In short, integrity is being your word, doing the things that you said or implied that you would do. Whether that’s completing a huge project or helping a friend move house.
The start of a new year is just that – the start of something new. It’s an external force, much like a birthday, that allows you to reflect on your life. What changes did you hope to achieve last year? Did you succeed?
Gone are the days when the only way to get hired was to present all your qualifications and list every single one of your skills down on a piece of paper; we are living in the modern world and there are higher priorities to organisations now.
Amanda was working less than 15 hours per week on a causal basis in customer service role in retail. She had had enough with working in retail and remembered saying to herself “I’m done!” She felt she was flat lining at life.
At 24, Kyle had been unemployed since he’d finished high school. He struggled with depression and anxiety and his previous work experiences had been difficult which left him feeling very negative about his life.
Naturally creative and with a love of illustration, Mark was always keen to work in the animation industry. However, after being diagnosed with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, maintaining regular employment was almost impossible. Mark had been receiving disability payments for 5 years and was living in Adelaide.
We don't want first-time leaders to crash and burn - so this blog is all about setting up for success! It explores the top 10 challenges faced by emerging leaders in 2025. It covers topics such as establishing authority, managing peers, developing self-awareness, effective delegation, time management, navigating uncertainty, having difficult conversations, maintaining team morale, balancing growth, and overcoming imposter syndrome.
Social proof is one of the most effective tools you can use in your job coaching tool kit. Here are some simple, yet powerful way to give your clients a little nudge!
Maria discusses the importance of shifting focus from negative to positive thinking to enhance wellbeing. It highlights techniques like active listening, cognitive reframing, and expanding comfort zones to foster resilience. Job coaches can help clients develop a more optimistic outlook and navigate life's challenges effectively.
Intrinsic motivation can be a powerful driver for people navigating the journey toward employment. This type of motivation, which comes from within and is fuelled by personal satisfaction and passion, can be a game-changer in a job search. And tapping into it is the key.
Yet, as January progresses, the enthusiasm accompanying these resolutions can wane, leaving us feeling disheartened and demotivated. Is there a more effective approach to goal-setting than the fleeting nature of resolutions?
Hope is like a snapshot of a person’s current goal-focused thinking, the pathway to achieving the goals and the expectation that those goals can be achieved. Hope works because it broadens our thinking and fuels our persistence.
What happens when a 'goal' feels too big to achieve? A little reframe can go a long way with your clients. Try focusing on outcomes instead of goals and see what happens next!
If your clients have unresourceful beliefs about themselves and their ability to find a job they will love, they may struggle to overcome them. They may believe they are
‘too old’, or ‘they don’t have enough experience.‘
If you're having trouble moving your clients forward, you might be making these five mistakes with them. It's all about building trust and rapport, asking great questions, and listening with intent.
Values drive life. Values are the things that are deeply important to you, and they influence the decisions we make, the experiences we have and the behaviours we show.
Often the limitations around mindset come from beliefs or past experiences that have led them to think they can't achieve things, that they can't overcome challenges or that it's easier to give up or not try something new.
There have been plenty of times when I’ve struggled to stick at things – from drinking water and getting quality sleep to reading and writing detailed reports and assessments. I’ve been guilty of finding excuses or practising avoidance because I lacked the drive to see these tasks through.
We don't want first-time leaders to crash and burn - so this blog is all about setting up for success! It explores the top 10 challenges faced by emerging leaders in 2025. It covers topics such as establishing authority, managing peers, developing self-awareness, effective delegation, time management, navigating uncertainty, having difficult conversations, maintaining team morale, balancing growth, and overcoming imposter syndrome.
Staff retention in employment services isn’t just a challenge - it’s a crisis. High turnover disrupts continuity, hikes recruitment costs, and erodes client trust. Blaming salaries or competition? Think again. The real culprit is workplace culture, and it starts at the top. Leaders, it's time to step up and create a positive environment where employees feel valued and supported. Your culture is your retention strategy. Dive into the stats, the real costs, and the leadership strategies that can turn this crisis into an opportunity for growth and excellence. Remember, employees don’t leave jobs; they leave managers.
We don't want first-time leaders to crash and burn - so this blog is all about setting up for success! It explores the top 10 challenges faced by emerging leaders in 2025. It covers topics such as establishing authority, managing peers, developing self-awareness, effective delegation, time management, navigating uncertainty, having difficult conversations, maintaining team morale, balancing growth, and overcoming imposter syndrome.
Maria discusses the importance of shifting focus from negative to positive thinking to enhance wellbeing. It highlights techniques like active listening, cognitive reframing, and expanding comfort zones to foster resilience. Job coaches can help clients develop a more optimistic outlook and navigate life's challenges effectively.
In the face of rising burnout, particularly among middle-managers, it's vital to prioritise staff wellbeing. The 2024 Wellness at Work Report reveals a stark increase in burnout, urging companies to adopt strategies that support resilience and employee health for organisational success.
Intrinsic motivation can be a powerful driver for people navigating the journey toward employment. This type of motivation, which comes from within and is fuelled by personal satisfaction and passion, can be a game-changer in a job search. And tapping into it is the key.
The end of the financial year is looming, and investing in the professional development of yourself and your people is a great idea if you’ve got some unspent funds in your budget.
There have been plenty of times when I’ve struggled to stick at things – from drinking water and getting quality sleep to reading and writing detailed reports and assessments. I’ve been guilty of finding excuses or practising avoidance because I lacked the drive to see these tasks through.
Before you can coach your clients towards positive employment outcomes, you need to ensure you’ve got the right mindset and leave any judgement at the door before you start. You also need to believe in yourself and your ability to help every client, even in the most challenging cases.
The results are in…! Bounce Online is proving to be a real game-changer when it comes to job-readiness and soft skills training for job seekers.
Society has this funny little habit of trying to cram square pegs into a round hole, but what if I told you that there is a way to match the square peg to the round hole without having to grind off the edges?
We’ve been closely reviewing the outcomes of the Department of Education, Skills and Employment Soft Skills Trial report released in April 2022, and most pleasingly, it’s validated the incredible work we do here at Bounce.
Maria discusses the importance of shifting focus from negative to positive thinking to enhance wellbeing. It highlights techniques like active listening, cognitive reframing, and expanding comfort zones to foster resilience. Job coaches can help clients develop a more optimistic outlook and navigate life's challenges effectively.
In the face of rising burnout, particularly among middle-managers, it's vital to prioritise staff wellbeing. The 2024 Wellness at Work Report reveals a stark increase in burnout, urging companies to adopt strategies that support resilience and employee health for organisational success.
Strengths are more than just the things we are good at or are capable of doing. They are the skills and attributes that give us energy and make us feel good, and when we’re using them, we can achieve great things.
Society has this funny little habit of trying to cram square pegs into a round hole, but what if I told you that there is a way to match the square peg to the round hole without having to grind off the edges?
We’ve been closely reviewing the outcomes of the Department of Education, Skills and Employment Soft Skills Trial report released in April 2022, and most pleasingly, it’s validated the incredible work we do here at Bounce.
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