Rob Dance

ROCK

As the Founder and CEO of ROCK, one of the UK's largest technology consultancies, I oversee the corporate direction and strategy for our national and international operations.

Guided by our mission to have a transformative impact on our clients, we help our clients navigate digital pathways, solving their most complex technology problems, evolving their capabilities, and driving innovation. All supported by powerful assets, platforms and partnerships.

Household names, global trailblazers, and reputable organisations, rely on us to enhance their technological capabilities.

Formed in 2008, we've been on the journey of a lifetime: from my parents' garage to the boardroom, from just £1,000 in the bank to one of the UK's largest consulting firms. Once just a one-man IT solution, now employing the best and brightest minds in the industry. Exceptional people who believe in the power of technology to change the world.

We're change-makers, team players, do-gooders, never-say-no-ers. We embrace sustainability, promote diversity, and demand equality. We're a strategic partner you can trust, and we're ready to help you reinvent.

United, we can make a difference. Join us.

Pioneer. Partner. Progress.

CEO & Founder

Ware

Team RD

I help people to elevate their mindset, emotions and actions, propelling them towards the top 1% with daily tips about Mindset, Personal Growth and Leadership.

Founder

Forbes

With expertise in scaling businesses, I empower aspiring entrepreneurs and professionals through my articles on Mindset, Personal Growth and Leadership.

Forbes Council Contributer

Serial entrepreneur and inspirational writer - Showing you how to reach the top 1%

I started my business with just £1,000
 
(I bought a cheap van, a laptop, and a desk)
 
Today, we operate internationally
Today, we hire over 100 of the brightest minds
Today, we're an 8-figure business, on our way to 9
Today, we're launching several new start ups
Today, I work with some of the most gifted people in the world
 
But what you don't know is:
 
20 years ago, I failed my exams and dropped out of school
17 years ago, I really struggled to write a full sentence
15 years ago, I was too scared to make phone calls

So now I'm sharing my journey with you

Sharing daily insights to help anyone
→ Reach the Top 1%

Follow me for daily posts about Mindset, Personal Growth and Leadership.

Let's goooooooo 🚀

I contribute articles on business, leadership, and technology. With expertise in scaling businesses and fostering personal development, I empower aspiring entrepreneurs through inspirational articles.

I've interviewed well over 1000 people

Here's 15 years of interview advice that will land you that 6-figure job.
 
1. Prepare, prepare, prepare
 
- Learn everything you can about the company, culture and job challenges beforehand; it shows you care
 
2. Use STAR and on every job requirement
 
- Situation - Set up the stage for the story by sharing context around the challenge
- Task - Describe your role in that situation
- Action - Explain the specific actions or measures you took to complete the task
- Result - Using numbers explain the ultimate result
 
3. Prepare a lot of stories
 
- Interviewers love hearing stories; have several ready that show off your skills
- Keep stories between thirty seconds to a minute to stay engaging without rambling
- Have a clear, concise story for any sticky spots on your CV and be ready to explain them away
 
4. Ace the first 5 minutes
 
- Your first impression is key; enter with confidence and speak clearly
- Break the ice with a compliment to make the interviewer warm to you
- If you share an interest with the interviewer, great, chat away! If not, don't pretend
 
5. Be Honest. No BS.
 
- Always tell the truth in interviews; a fib can be spotted a mile away
- Remember, honesty is not just good for interviews, it’s a solid rule for life
- Being open about past mistakes makes you more relatable
 
6. Don't be negative
 
- Never criticise past employers or colleagues, as it may reflect poorly on your character
- With a positive tone, focus on what you've learned from challenging situations
 
7. Emphasise YOU and your potential
 
- Don’t worry if you're not a perfect match; show how quick and eager you are to learn
- Focus on what you've actually done and solid examples, not just what you were part of
- Focus on YOU over skills. Employers more often value attitude over experience
- Not everyone has read your resume; help them by repeating all the juicy bits
 
8. Not Too Short, Not Too Long
 
- Balance is key; give enough detail without going overboard
- Practice your responses to gauge if you waffle and adjust accordingly
 
9. Don’t be afraid to think
 
- It’s alright to take a moment to consider your response
- Pausing shows you're thoughtful and take care in what you say
 
10. When it’s going poorly
 
- If the interview seems off, don't dwell on it; focus on nailing the next question
- It's okay to check in with the interviewer to see if they need something more from you
 
11. Don't overdo the questions at the end
 
- Remember it's quality over quantity; ask thoughtful questions
- Choose insightful questions that show you're thinking about the VALUE you can add
 
12. Your interview isn’t over when you walk out of the room
 
- The post-interview thank you email is your final chance to make a memorable impression
 
Any other tips you can add?
 
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I am a distinguished entrepreneur, known for my pioneering work as the founder and CEO of ROCK, one of the UK's largest technology consultancies.

15 years ago:

• I dropped out of school because I didn't belong
• I founded ROCK in my parents' garage with just £1,000 in the bank
• I sold my first car, my beloved Renault 5 GT Turbo, to fund my business venture

Today: 

• I'm in the top 1%, guiding others to achieve the same
• I write daily to help those who were once in my position to break away from the masses
• Taking ROCK from an 8-figure to a 9-figure business
• Currently launching multiple new ventures
• Forbes Magazine - Business Contributor

Follow me to think, feel, and act your way into the top 1% 📈

Martyn Cook

8-Figure Tech Entrepreneur | Author | Keynote Speaker | Follow for daily posts about Mindset, Personal Growth and Leadership

Ri Xu, PhD

90% of jobs can be taught
 
Give people a chance.
 
That's it.
 
That's the post.
 
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Aditya Krishnan

I hung up the phone, thinking, 'I'll never speak to you again'
 
I was absolutely horrified.
 
The recruiter told me they exclude anyone with 'Open to Work' on their LinkedIn profile,
 
Because they're desperate and not in demand.

Which is utterly ridiculous,

And cruel.
 
These people are human, like everyone else.

To me 'Open to Work' does not mean 'Avoid Me', it means:
 
- They just finished a big job on a contract
- They've been freelancing, gaining new skills
- They left their job to escape a toxic manager
- They've been made redundant after the recent cutbacks
- They've recently closed a business, gaining business knowledge
- They're entering the workforce for the first time, ready and eager
 
The fact is, you won't know their story until you talk to them,
 
So, give everyone a fair chance.
 
Judging a person does not define who THEY are,
 
It defines who YOU are.
 
So, let's end this now.
 
Do you agree?
 
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Last week my post went viral, and this is what a lot of you said...

(From over 1000 comments)

"The hiring process is broken and riddled with bad habits."

While I believe most companies and agencies do an awesome job,

Some are out there to exploit you.

So, here are 9 interview red flags you NEED to watch out for:
 
1. We're like a family
 
- Hear this and it's time to walk out. It normally means they will violate boundaries and won't care about your feelings or efforts.
 
2. Five rounds of multi-hour interviews and assessments
 
- Unless you’re applying for the top job, there’s no reason to waste your time with such a horrible drawn-out hiring process. It normally means they aren’t prepared for interviewing, or they're happy to waste YOUR time whilst they can’t decide.
 
3. Bait and switch
 
- If the job you're interviewing for isn't what you thought you applied for, take note. They might be desperate for staff or trying to trick you into accepting a lower salary than advertised.
 
4. Lack of Clarity About Job Expectations
 
- If they can't explain the job’s responsibilities, reporting structure or goals it might show the company's a mess or they're using the interview process (and YOU) to figure this out.
 
5. Future promises
 
- Any job promises about promotions or pay rises mean nothing unless they're SMART and written down as part of your job offer.
 
6. Salary range is 30k - 150k or 'Competitive'
 
- A huge range or the word 'competitive' says they're not serious about paying fairly or they haven't clearly defined the role's requirements or value, which can lead to disagreements down the line.
 
7. Looking for someone to hit the ground running
 
- While it might seem like a reasonable expectation, this often means the team's short-staffed or under a lot of pressure. You might not get much onboarding and support starting out, which can be really tough.
 
8. Benefits are which are Non-Benefits
 
- They brag about benefits like training, overtime, free parking, team socials, free uniform, casual Fridays, flexible working, tea and coffee, a pension contribution, equipment to do your job, the legal annual leave allowance. Today, these are just COMMON practice.
 
9. The interview is too short
 
- A 20 minute interview might be a relief, but it could mean they're desperate to fill the position, the interview process is weak, or they undervalue the importance of ensuring a good fit for you, them and the team.
 
Have you ever been subjected to any of these tactics before?
 
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Pro tip: How to become an absolute productivity machine
 
(and the answer is not a magical 'hack')
 
Instead, it's these tried and tested methods that separate the ultra-productive from the rest:
 
1. They delegate hard
Identify your strengths, delegate the rest.
 
2. They protect their flow
Don't let email or social media interrupt your flow. Schedule times to read and respond.
 
3. They are epic note takers
Capture everything in a notebook so your mind can stay clear.
 
4. They follow the 80/20 rule
Identify the most critical 20% and ignore the rest.
 
5. They touch things only once
If something will take less than 10 minutes to complete, do it immediately.
 
6. They leave work on time
There will always be more that you can do. Time block your priorities and end the day guilt-free.
 
7. They learn from every mistake
Don’t dwell on failures; use them as fuel to strengthen your processes which will compound over time.
 
8. They focus on energy, not time
Maximise your energy: food, sleep, fitness, core energy, and breaks throughout the day.
 
9. They avoid meetings at all costs
Don't hold meetings. If you have to, keep them short. Stand up meetings are the best!
 
10. They focus on minutes, not hours
There are 1,440 minutes in a day; invest every one of them intentionally.
 
11. They say 'no' to almost everything
Every 'yes' is actually a 'no' to something else. Say 'no' to everything unless you have a great reason to say 'yes.'
 
12. They use the first two hours wisely
Figure out what's important and work on this in the first two hours each morning.
 
13. They have a consistent morning ritual
Wake up and spend your minutes on a morning routine which works for you (not one you've copied).
 
14. They deliberately embrace imperfections
By allowing for imperfections, you can focus on progress rather than perfection, which can prevent procrastination and stress.
 
15. They switch between tasks to preserve energy
Deliberately switch between creative, analytical, admin, physical and reflective tasks to help reduce mental fatigue and maintain productivity.
 
16. They refocus their priorities more than once a week
Look at your goals and objectives for the week and ensure you’re making progress. If not, change things up.
 
Which of these methods has been most effective for you?
 
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A V C.

Things I'm sick of hearing from my employees:
 
- Can I leave early today
- I'll be late in the morning
- I'm just taking the dog for a walk
- I've got a doctor's appointment next week, is that ok
- I'm going to be late back from lunch, I've got some things to sort
 
I don’t care.
 
I hired you for a job and I fully TRUST you to get it done.
 
I don’t need you to account for your hours.
 
Times have changed, and the workplace is different these days.
 
We're all adults and life happens.
 
All I care about is that you get the work done.
 
If our clients are happy, I’m happy.
 
My advice to other entrepreneurs:
 
Treat your staff with respect.
 
That’s it, that’s the big secret.
 
- Give them autonomy
- Treat them like adults with good ideas of their own
- Don’t gaslight them into being grateful for not being fired every day
 
Output should always trump hours.
 
P.S. Do you agree?
 
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13 step framework for managing your energy and avoiding burnout

(Backed by Science)

Just physical rest isn't enough to avoid stress and burnout.

If you sleep for 7+ hours, that's only 1/7 of your energy restored.

Here's the 13 steps you need to follow to avoid burnout:

1. Purpose/Meaning
Having a strong purpose helps you push through tough times. Reflecting on it often makes you feel stronger and more focused.

2. Intrinsic Drive
Judge your work by your own effort and experience, not what others think. Think like a craftsperson, not someone chasing praise.

3. Stress + Rest = Growth
Stress can be good if you balance it with rest. This keeps you growing without burning out.

4. Minimalist to be a Maximalist
Cut the small stuff from your life to focus on what's truly important. This keeps your energy and attention where it counts.

5. Routine
A regular routine makes your day predictable and helps set clear boundaries. It gets you ready to work hard and then relax.

6. Set Boundaries
Learn to say NO and delegate. This helps you balance work and life better, reducing stress.

7. Adjust Workload and Expectations
Manage your workload well and speak up if expectations feel too high. This helps keep stress in check.

8. Sleep
Sleep 7-9 hours a night. It's crucial for your body and mind and keeps you performing at your best.

9. Exercise
Exercise for 30 minutes each day. It refreshes your body and mind and sparks creativity.

10. Disconnect
Turn off your phone in the evenings to help you unwind and sleep better.

11. Nature
Try to get outside every day, even just for a few minutes. It lifts your mood and clears your mind.

12. Surround Yourself with the Right People
Choose to be around people who support and motivate you. They'll help you stay strong and guide you when needed.

13. Get Help When You Need It
Don't hesitate to seek professional help if you're feeling overwhelmed. It can make all the difference when you need it.

By following these 13 steps you can recover and build a road map for prevention.

Which points have helped you the most to date??

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Your title doesn't make you a leader

What actually matters is if you:

- Make people feel safe
- Treat people with respect
- Guide people without force
- Inspire people to raise their own bar
- Trust people and give them autonomy
- Help people to put their health and happiness first

Never let your job title go to your head.

Leadership is nothing about you.
Leadership is everything about you.
 
Do you agree?

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Here is the exact system that made me millions
 
8 steps to master SELF DISCIPLINE in 30 days
 
Step 1: Blueprint Your Ambitions
 
- Think about what you really want to achieve, and WRITE IT DOWN.
 - Break your big goals into smaller steps (which are no longer than 1 week to complete).
- Then break those down into steps that would take less than an hour.
- Evaluate your plan every single day and be adaptive not rigid.
 
Step 2: Change Your Environment
 
- Get rid of things that take your attention away from your goals, like turning off your phone notifications.
- Surround yourself with people who are doing what you want to do, and people who are on the same journey as you; ditch the rest.
 
Step 3: Clean Yourself Up
 
- Sleep well, eat healthy, exercise, and keep clean.
- Taking good care of yourself massively helps you think better, stay focused, and avoid procrastination.
 
Step 4: Create Your Daily Battle Plan
 
- Be a list person, use productivity apps or whatever else you need to write > execute > write > execute.
- Mornings are for the hard and important tasks to make sure you get these done.
- Nights are for giving yourself a head start to tomorrow; before you go to bed, plan out your next day IN FULL
- Stick to the routine every day, even if you don't feel like doing it.
 
Step 5: Start Habit Stacking
 
- Don't do everything on day one; instead, pick a small new habit to start each week or month and stick it into your daily routine.
- Keep it simple so it's easier to get started with it.
- After doing it for a week or so, you'll build momentum; keep adding to the habit when it feels right.
 
Step 6: Be 100% Accountable
 
- Stop making excuses; stop deflecting blame; own up to your mistakes.
- Get good at asking for and accepting feedback.
- Be accountable for your time; over 50% of your focus needs to go into your goals - critical!
- Get annoyed when you aren't working on the things that drive value.
- Become an expert in flicking between valuable tasks and the crud that just needs to get done.
 
Step 7: Learn From The (lots of) Failures
 
- Don’t be scared of failing; it’s okay to try something and not get it right the first time.
- Learn from failures and iterate and improve every single day.
- If something doesn't work, change it; if something can be improved, change it.
 
Step 8: Refresh and Reward Yourself
 
- Reward yourself for the small wins, and make these a family event.
- Love the journey, not the destination, otherwise, you will never be happy.
 
Any other tips you can add?

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Reza Inglis

10 rare traits I see in every high performer
 
This combination took me 15 years to learn; I’ll teach it to you in 2 minutes

1. They have a positive attitude, always embracing a growth mindset
2. They bounce back with exceptional resilience
3. They write down their ambitions and goals
4. They zero in on the value (not busy work)
5. They organise and protect their time
6. They're dedicated to lifelong learning
7. They invest in assets, not liabilities
8. They strategically prevent burnout
9. They treat everyone with respect
10. They step up to lead

Nobody is born with innate ability.

In a time of ruthless competition
If you want to become something, you can!

This comes through learning what's needed and lots of practice.

To become a high performer, you must embrace these 10 traits.

Seek out opportunities to enforce them daily.

If you do this over a prolonged period, you’ll inevitably join the high-performers club.

Which point do you struggle with the most??

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Janet Weinstock, M.S.M.

Here's a single word that will SKY ROCKET your growth

(the secret weapon I use daily).

Do you say “yes” when you want to say “no”?
Do you agree to do something and then instantly regret it?

So many of you have told me that you struggle with this,

And saying yes to EVERYTHING is massively holding you back.

Here's a four-step guide on how to say 'NO':

STEP 1: Instead of just saying YES, say "Let me think about it."

- It's that simple - buy yourself some time to consider things properly.
- Think about it and ask if it's something that is truly valuable.
- "Let me think about it" is not a way of avoiding saying No; you're using it to set a boundary and pause.
- When you're ready, without feeling pressured or caught off-guard, be assertive and communicate your decision.

STEP 2: Say "I don't" rather than "I can't"

- Research suggests you're 41% less likely to make the wrong decision when you say "I don't" rather than "I can't".
- The phrase "I don't" is empowering — it represents a choice and reinforces your control and power over the situation.
- "I can't" suggests limitation and lack of choice, which can undermine your confidence and sense of empowerment.

→ Question: "Do you want to come to the pub tonight?"
↳ Response if declining: Say "I don’t go out on weeknights" rather than "I can’t join you tonight".

→ Question: "Can you do this urgent project for me?"
↳ Response if declining: "I don’t take on new tasks without some notice" rather than "I can’t manage that project today due to my workload"

STEP 3: Tell yourself why you said no

- Doing this will help eliminate any guilt and make it easier to make tough decisions in the future.

STEP 4: Move on

- It’s not a firm decision when you sit and question yourself a dozen times - Once you’ve made your decision, the decision is made.

Decide, and then let go.

So, have you ever said YES when you really wanted to say NO??

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