Category For HR

Does reaching the top of the corporate ladder really bring happiness in 2026?

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Rochelle Trow argues that today’s senior roles sit at the centre of global turbulence, where pressure rarely eases and success no longer guarantees fulfilment. Drawing on research from WEF, Gallup and Deloitte, she explores cognitive load, organisational strain and why…

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From vanity metrics to business impact: How L&D can prove its value

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If you’re feeling the pressure to prove L&D’s value, you’re in good company. Synergy Learning shares a practical approach to proving impact in business terms. See just how to begin with organisational goals, baseline the right data, choose credible evaluation…

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Stop calling everything a skill

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Ben Satchwell argues that muddled language is undermining people frameworks, HR systems and L&D credibility, especially as skills data becomes machine-readable. Ben clarifies the building blocks from knowledge to behaviour, explains why competencies evidence individual performance while capabilities describe systemic…

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DEI in 2026: From ambition to action and compliance to competitive advantage

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DEI in the UK is shifting from policy to practice. Sandi Wassmer argues that in 2026 inclusion will be built into organisational infrastructure. Leaders will be held accountable and employee experience prioritised over optics. Psychological safety and robust data will…

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Contribution without collapse: Unlocking unique impact beyond job titles

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Drawing on two Make Your Brain Work Podcast episodes, applied neuroscience expert Amy Brann and medical doctor Dr Jessie Gulsin unpack why contribution boosts motivation yet can become risky when fused with your identity. The piece offers practical tips for…

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Ready or not, 2026 is the year of skills

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AI is reshaping UK work, yet readiness is patchy and shortages still persist. Mark Onisk argues that 2026 demands skills-based workforce orchestration, tighter skills governance, smarter AI-human collaboration and scaled leadership development. Organisations that embed learning in the flow of…

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Strategic communication is not soft: Why L&D needs a strategy before silence sinks change

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Steve Macaulay and David Buchanan argue that strategic communication is a core capability, not a soft skill, and L&D and HR must build it for change. From a gym takeover that went silent to practical steps on timing, channels and…

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Learning sticks when it’s shared: Why human learning communities more vital than ever

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Samantha Hall shows that workplace learning transforms when people feel connected to others. She explores how communities spark joy, build psychological safety and accountability, surface tacit knowledge, strengthen culture and resilience, and keep development alive long after formal sessions, especially…

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“Workplace learning is at its best when it sounds like real work”

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TJ Editor Jo Cook comments about the new Podcast Learning Festival, hosted by Andrew Jacobs in London, February 2026: “We strive for the most efficient and realistic learning interventions, and workplace learning is at its best when it sounds like…

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2026 is the year L&D operationalises AI, without losing the human touch

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In 2026, L&D must embed AI into real workflows, redesign roles and focus on measurable outcomes, without sacrificing trust, culture and wellbeing. Drawing on views from leaders across HR, learning and analytics, TJ’s Editor Jo Cook explores three pressure points:…

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