Category Leadership

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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Is your organisation truly data-driven – or just investing in tech?

Case study analysis report for business performance and marketing results, data driven research summary supporting management decisions, planning and investment evaluation for stakeholders

Drawing on award-winning examples from healthcare, justice, media and policing, Jake O’Gorman argues that data-driven transformation depends on people, not platforms. He writes about why leaders must prioritise data quality, skills and ethical governance and shares stories that start with…

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AI jobs apocalypse… or bonanza?

job apocalypse - apocalypse de l'emploi

Will AI steal our jobs? Wrong question. AI performs tasks and most jobs involve a combination of tasks. The AI impact depends on organisational choices, not just the technology. David Buchanan and Steve Macaulay explore how the outcome for jobs…

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The evolutionary blind spot undermining leadership programmes

Paper human head with gears on green background with space for text. Concept of brainwork

Martin Johnson explores why leadership development fails when it ignores the biology driving behaviour. He examines survival, pleasure and purpose, revealing how stress, disengagement and underperformance persist. The article offers L&D professionals practical diagnostic frameworks to identify psychological states and…

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Space to think, permission to change: The TJ60 conference takeaways

TJ 60th Anniversary conference library room with round tables and people attending

Training Journal’s 60th Anniversary conference video captures the people profession at a turning point. From celebrating 60 years of workplace learning to confronting stubborn challenges around impact, evidence and credibility, contributors share what must change next. Expect practical reflections on…

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Why customer service should be a leadership priority

customer services best excellent

Customer service standards are steadily slipping, and it’s costing businesses billions. Steve Macaulay and Sarah Cook explain, with examples, how HR and L&D leaders can drive a cultural shift towards service excellence, boosting loyalty, reducing inefficiencies, and embedding the mindset,…

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Too busy to think: Why clarity, influence and inspiration begin with intention

Laptop, notes and office stationery in mess on desk. Overwhelmed with work

Sue Stockdale explores why thinking time is so critical for effective leadership. When leaders slow down, clarity returns, influence grows, and energy builds. This insightful piece shares practical ways to reclaim space for reflection, helping leaders shift from reactive to…

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TJ interviews: Joshua Wohle on AI in the workplace, revealing what leaders are missing

Joshua Wohle

In this interview by Mark Matthews, Mindstone CEO Joshua Wohle explains why AI mastery starts with mindset. He challenges the automation-first thinking, makes the case for live demos, and, importantly, shares how leaders can rewire their workflows to unlock AI’s…

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Executive coaching in context: exploring intent, impact and interpretation

Hand Placing Final Piece in Wooden Head Puzzle Portraying Mental Health Solutions and Cognitive Growth.

Shilpi Sahai examines the complex dynamics executive coaching within organisations through a theoretical lens, exploring its intended and implicit purposes within organisations. Drawing on established frameworks, she highlights the tensions between individual agency and organisational alignment, offering a nuanced perspective…

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