Category Leadership

How to lead when everyone is in survival mode

survival WORD GR

Survival mode at work is often invisible, showing up as relational drift, polite avoidance and quiet withdrawal. Kerry-Lyn Stanton-Downes explains why individual wellbeing fixes fall short and instead asserts that relational capacity creates psychological safety. Her pathway, regulate, relate, reconnect,…

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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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The real secret to business success is your team

Senior business man doing presentation, planning and talking in a meeting, seminar or training workshop in a boardroom. Manager sharing ideas, teaching and coaching new employees during conference

A motivated team doesn’t happen by accident. It takes leaders who practise empathy, build trust, invite different perspectives, and spot when people need support to recharge. In this article, Dalip Jaggi explains how personalising relationships and investing in growth creates…

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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?

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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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