Features
Learning as infrastructure: The rise of the capability operating system
By 2035, skills graphs, adaptive learning, and trustworthy analytics will turn corporate learning into a true capability operating system. From course catalogs to capability supply chains, learning leaders must build now to thrive in the next decade. Dr. Ravinder Tulsiani looks at how AI and ecosystems will redefine corporate learning. Corporate learning is entering a systems era. By 2035, the center of gravity will move from long courses and static catalogs to a capability operating system, a connected stack that…
Trust, talent and the tightrope of skip-level leadership
Srideep Sarkar explores the complex, often overlooked role of skip-level managers. Far from being passive observers, they must balance influence with restraint, strategy with empathy. From avoiding the saviour complex to nurturing talent indirectly, this is a guide to leading large teams without weakening leadership layers that hold them together. The Boston Consulting Group report The End of Management as We Know It indicates that just 9% of Western non-managers aspire to become a manager and 81% managers think the job…
New shifts and trends in cybersecurity
The cybersecurity landscape is shifting rapidly, with AI-fuelled attacks, evolving malware, and cloud vulnerabilities becoming increasingly hard to manage. Nazy Fouladirad explores the key threats businesses face today, from Internet of Things risks to critical staffing shortages, and why proactive, intelligent defence is the only way for businesses stay ahead. With every year that passes, there are a wide range of new digital threats that businesses in all industries need to track and defend themselves against. Unfortunately, the speed at…
From cost centre to strategic asset — what gives L&D a seat at the strategy table?
L&D isn’t just about courses and compliance. In a world of constant change, it can be a powerful driver of growth and resilience. Jennie Marshall explores five ways learning teams can move from support function to strategic partner and earn the credibility they need to impact people, outcomes and organisations. For years, learning and development has wrestled with a perception problem. It’s often been seen as the department that organises training sessions, rolls out compliance modules, and occasionally delivers a…
From resistance to uptake: Close skills gaps with AI-enabled learning
AI-based learning platforms promise speed, personalisation and measurable impact. Ian Howell from FutureLearn explores how LXPs remove barriers, match challenge to ability and deliver just-in-time microlearning. He shows how data identifies skills gaps, predicts retention risks and builds motivation through autonomy, competence and relevance; turning L&D into a responsive engine. With skills needs evolving faster than ever, businesses face a critical challenge: how to deliver learning that keeps pace. Unfortunately, many training programmes still waste valuable time and resources, failing…
From preference to performance: adapting training for new hires
Onboarding is evolving fast: Eleanor Hecks shows leaders must tailor training to diverse learning preferences, neurodiversity and hybrid work. Use analytics, microlearning, translation and gamification to personalise pathways, boost engagement and prove ROI through retention and performance. Prioritise accessibility, mentorship, coaching to embed continuous learning and resilience from day one. The business world is changing dramatically, requiring leaders to quickly identify and adjust to new hires’ learning preferences and streamline onboarding. A heightened focus on personalised instruction and adaptive training…
From slow lanes to sprints: how Agile transformed our L&D delivery
Doubling output without burning out, Nassia Katroutsou shares how Agile project management reshaped her L&D team’s approach to course creation. Through clear preparation, sprint cycles and regular SME feedback, they boosted speed and quality, proving that with the right mindset, even small teams can deliver big, sustainably and with impact. When I first took over a small team of instructional designers, our content delivery cycles were slow and unpredictable. The company’s products and processes were complex, the audiences incredibly diverse…
Curiosity over assumption: decoding digital body language in teams
Body language has always been tricky. Crossed arms, raised eyebrows, leaning in or looking away; all signals we interpret constantly, sometimes accurately, sometimes disastrously. Whilst we’ve had telecommunication for a long time, Covid transformed our work and learning spaces to be even more digital and virtual. Jo Cook shares more. Much of our professional life now is hybrid, online, and text based. That means our digital body language (DBL) — the emojis we use, the speed of our responses, whether…
When CEOs quiet quit: A playbook for executive re-engagement
CEO turnover surged in 2024, with disengagement at the top threatening transformation. Nick Petschek argues that we must move beyond traditional support roles to become active catalysts of change: spotting early signs of executive withdrawal, reigniting urgency, and embedding engagement as a strategic capability in today’s fast-moving, AI-driven business landscape. CEO turnover hit a five year high in 2024, with average tenure dropping from 8.4 to 6.7 years. One in four CEO transitions in EMEA during 2024 were unplanned due…
The power of psychological safety in uncertain times
Psychological safety helps people speak up, share ideas, and learn from mistakes, essential in fast-moving workplaces. It’s not about removing fear but creating trust and openness. Steve Macaulay and David Buchanan explore what psychological safety looks like, why it matters, and how leaders can create a culture that supports it. Do you feel safe to speak up at work? Can you ask questions, raise concerns, and offer new ideas without hesitation? If not, you’re not alone, and your organisation could…
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