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Psychological safety is your secret weapon when training gets awkward

The Four Stages of Psychological Safety - Psych Safety are Inclusion, Learner, Contributor, Challenger

Disengaged training rooms are often a symptom of low psychological safety, rather than poor facilitation. Donald Thompson outlines practical ways to build trust before and during sessions. He explores strategies such as clear expectations, thoughtful responses and calm, civil discussion,…

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The execution gap in L&D: Why strategic ambitions are outpacing reality

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In a world of huge rising demand, reskilling pressure and AI acceleration, L&D keeps saying it must be strategic. But operational data shows execution is where things fail: prioritisation, flow, capacity and measurement. Ryan Austin argues the real shift is…

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Culture reset case study: From attrition to high performance

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Growth can create internal “static”, especially in people-first industries where belonging is the product. By building psychological safety, practising radical candour, and shifting to human-centric leadership, teams move from transactional communication to collective responsibility. Fiona Wright outlines how this approach…

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Why early involvement is only part of the story

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Getting L&D involved early matters, but this discussion shows that access alone is not the full answer. Kim Ellis, Cathy Hoy, Donald H Taylor and Laura Overton reflect on stakeholder relationships, strategic credibility and why influence grows when L&D understands…

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Thinking in Systems – book review

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In her book ‘Thinking in Systems’, Donella Meadows shows why well-meant training often fails when structures, interconnections and purpose stay intact. Drawing on stocks, flows and feedback loops, Houra Amin explores what learning leaders can diagnose before intervening, and how…

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Boundaries, not burnout: Building a culture of leadership kindness that lasts

In a world where you can be anything be kind kindness rock on green moss

In this candid piece, Maureen O’Callaghan shows why kindness at work starts with self-kindness. From silencing the inner critic that shouldn’t be your coach, to setting boundaries and building support, she argues sustainable leadership means staying present and protecting capacity.…

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The TJ L&D Influence Report 2026

TJ L&D Influence Report 2026 front cover

After months exploring why L&D’s best evidence and intentions still stall, Editor Jo Cook shares a new report shaped by Training Journal’s 60th Anniversary Conference. It introduces the Readiness Enablers Index and highlights practical conditions like stakeholder access, data, experimentation…

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Are we ready to prove L&D’s impact?

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The TJ Readiness Index survey is a quick, practical way to see what’s helping, and what’s getting in the way, of evidence-led progress in L&D. If you want the background and detail, it’s all in the TJ L&D Influence Report…

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Why SoFest 2026 is more than a conference

SOFest with Kirsty Lewis, 2025

Kirsty Lewis outlines how SoFest is coming together, with its mix of workshops, shared experiences and outdoor setting. With thoughtful attention to accessibility, wellbeing and community, the event aims to create rich opportunities for learning, conversation and connection, while Impact…

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Women’s voices are being targeted online and event platforms must respond

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Women-led online events linked to International Women’s Day were reported to have been disrupted with explicit content and coordinated interference. The abhorrent incidents have sparked calls for stronger platform safeguards and a renewed focus on practical event security, raising wider…

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