Category Leadership

Why early involvement is only part of the story

Close up on businessman holding a wooden block with Building Solid Relations For Lasting Success message

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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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 efficiency paradox: Why AI is speeding up work but slowing down leadership

Slow growth, inefficient or stupid mistake, businessman idiot leader riding slow snail never reach goal, losing business competition

Andrew Bryant argues that AI-driven efficiency is outpacing leadership capability, creating an “efficiency paradox” where organisations perform better on paper but grow strategically weaker. He explores Klarna’s AI lesson, the shift from performance management to potential development, and why L&D…

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Three AI adoption patterns that look busy but break performance

Overwhelmed Worker with 'Busy' Paperwork Stack

Fahed Bizzari argues most organisations are just drifting into AI use, creating activity without dependable performance. He outlines three common patterns: waiting, rolling tools out, and mandating use, all of which fuel shadow AI: uneven quality and rework. He shows…

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When leaders look away and employees push back, L&D can be the bridge

Do not be afraid of change

In organisations with constant transformation, change stalls when employees resist and leaders disengage. This article shows how L&D can interpret pushback as information, rebuild leadership visibility, create listening loops, align learning to purpose, and reinforce new habits so change sticks…

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Purposeful leadership: The mindset and the skillset shift L&D needs to back

Leading with purpose is key to achieving meaningful results in any field.  Having a clear vision and strong ethics guides action and motivates toward success.

Nicola Pye argues that purpose only delivers results when leaders practise it daily, not just talk about it. Drawing on research and frameworks, she shows how to build the capabilities behind clarity, connection and energy, avoid the “purpose paradox,” and…

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

Career progress and personal happiness concept with wooden blocks and smile icon

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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Starving for questions in the age of instant answers

statue of Socrates from the Academy of Athens,Greece

Gargi Bhatt explores why disciplined questioning is making a comeback as work gets more complex and AI makes quick answers effortless. Drawing on Socratic dialogues, coaching and action learning, she shows how inquiry strengthens critical thinking, surfaces assumptions and builds…

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Ready or not, 2026 is the year of skills

Goal setting 2026 concept. Books stacked with a bookmark reading "LEARN IN 2026.

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

Communication problem in relationship. Marital difficulties. Couple fighting. Man and woman holding ripped paper.

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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