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YouTube video by Stanier

The article from The Guardian explores the art of giving good advice, emphasizing the importance of listening over speaking. It highlights six key tips from experts on how to provide meaningful guidance without overwhelming the person seeking help. The first tip is to ask whether the person actually wants advice or just needs to vent, as many people seek validation rather than solutions. Michael Bungay Stanier, author of 'The Coaching Habit,' warns against the 'advice monster' that prompts us to jump in too quickly with solutions. He suggests pausing to allow the conversation to unfold naturally. The article also stresses the importance of understanding the 'real' problem beneath the surface, encouraging questions like 'What's hard about this for you?' to uncover deeper issues. Another key point is ensuring your experience is relevant to the situation, avoiding the trap of making the conversation about yourself. Psychologist Dr. Lee Valls advises focusing on the person's perspective rather than projecting your own biases. The article further discusses the balance between 'commitment' and 'decommitment' in advice-giving, with research showing that commitment—staying with the person's feelings and offering new perspectives—leads to better outcomes than dismissing concerns. It also addresses emotional regulation, noting that both parties should be calm before engaging in advice-giving. Finally, the article emphasizes that it's okay not to have all the answers, suggesting referrals to resources or professionals when needed. The piece concludes by highlighting the importance of follow-up and feedback to improve advice-giving over time. Overall, the article provides a thoughtful guide to fostering supportive, effective communication that respects the autonomy and emotional needs of the person seeking advice.

YouTube video by Stanier

Dapol have announced that their first Engineering Prototypes (EPs) for their N gauge LMS period III 57ft Non-Lavatory Suburban Coaches have arrived and have been going through a thorough inspection.

YouTube video by Russ Fischer

The last 10% is the hardest.

A 31-year-old British man, Joshua Cammidge, has been charged with engaging in conduct to materially assist a foreign intelligence service, specifically Russian military intelligence, in a plot to sabotage a drone manufacturing facility in the UK. The charges were presented in Westminster Magistrates' Court, where prosecutor Warren Stanier detailed that Cammidge communicated with a suspected representative of the GRU Volunteer Corps, a group controlled by Russia’s military intelligence agency. The communications reportedly focused on identifying locations of drone manufacturing sites in Swindon, west of London, and planning sabotage operations against them. Cammidge allegedly provided information on four drone manufacturing sites between March and early September. The GRU Volunteer Corps was declared a national security threat by the UK in July, with the government banning support for the group under new legislation aimed at countering proxy organizations conducting hostile activities on behalf of foreign states. Violations of this law can result in up to 14 years in prison. The UK has previously attributed hostile activities, including the 2018 Salisbury nerve agent attack, to the GRU. Cammidge did not enter a plea during his initial court appearance and was remanded into custody, with a return date set for September 25 at the Central Criminal Court. The case highlights ongoing concerns about foreign interference in UK infrastructure and the use of proxy organizations by foreign intelligence services to carry out covert operations.