Features

World of Learning 2024 conference attendees

Adapting to Change: Leadership, Neuroscience, and AI in Workplace Learning

Jo Cook

Explore key points from the World of Learning conference, including AI, neuroscience, leadership and inclusivity – all summarised by Editor Jo Cook At the World of Learning conference, industry leaders shared innovative ideas and practical approaches for transforming workplace learning. Below are the key takeaways from sessions that addressed managerial buy-in, leadership in changing environments, neuroscience in learning, AI-driven skill measurement, and workforce planning – all of which took place in Birmingham, UK, in October 2024. We don’t just train…

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Harnessing behavioural science for impactful learning programmes

Houra Amin

Want to supercharge your L&D programmes? Try these key behavioural science tricks for learner engagement, from Houra Amin  In our ongoing series exploring ways to enhance the impact and effectiveness of L&D programmes, we have already explored feedback loops and marginal gains. This third article examines some insights from behavioural science to guide us in maintaining learners’ engagement.  Learning is not about cramming information into people’s heads; it’s about equipping them to retrieve and apply that information/knowledge when it matters…

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We spend billions on leadership development – so why are employees still stressed? 

Laura Ashley-Timms

Changing how people are managed is critical for improving employee wellbeing and increasing workplace engagement. Dominic Ashley-Timms and Laura Ashley-Timms share the strategies that can make a real difference  According to Gallup’s latest State of the Global Workplace, 41% of employees report experiencing “a lot of stress” at work. What’s more, it identified that those who work in companies with bad management practices are nearly 60% more likely to be stressed than those working in environments with good management practices. Managers…

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Better dialogue leads to better decisions  

Sarah Rozenthuler

Start building effective dialogue skills today; tomorrow’s decisions rely on deeper conversations within your teams, writes Sarah Rozenthuler   Imagine a team meeting where every voice is heard, diverse perspectives are valued, and decisions are made with full confidence. Sounds ideal, doesn’t it? Yet, in many organisations, the reality falls short. The missing ingredient? Effective dialogue. When done right, it transforms team dynamics and leads to smarter, more inclusive decision-making.  Effective dialogue is the catalyst that transforms a group of individuals…

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The seven stages of transcendent awakening: A roadmap for evolving as a leader  

Dr Lisa Turner

Discover transcendent leadership: embodying a vision that uplifts, transforms and drives innovation for lasting success, writes Dr Lisa Turner  In the modern workplace, where change is constant and challenges are increasingly complex, leadership requires more than managing teams or optimising processes. True leadership calls for deep personal evolution – a journey of transcendent awakening that equips leaders to drive both organisational success and meaningful societal change.  It’s my prediction that those organisations who can foster the transcendent leader will be the…

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From cringe to constructive: A guide to giving feedback that sticks

Julia Milner

Discover the top feedback mistakes managers make – and how to fix them for better results. Julia Milner reveals the four-step feedback framework you need  Can I give you some feedback? Employees often cringe when they hear these words. Want to avoid the cringe? Here are some tips on how to set employees at ease and ensure your pearls of wisdom, or just simple advice, stick.   Maybe it’s time you reflected on the four pillars of feedback and how often…

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Can training prevent staff from hiding their disability?  

Chris Jay

Many employees choose not to reveal their disability in the workplace. Chris Jay explores why, and explains how the right training programmes can improve disability disclosure  It’s virtually impossible to tackle a problem that you don’t know exists, which is the position many organisations are in when it comes to addressing hidden disability disclosure in the workplace.   Around 12.8 million people in the UK have a disability you can’t see  Take for example, a member of staff who has a…

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The new workforce challenge: Blending digital skills with human expertise 

Pete Humphreys

Bridge the Gen Z skills gap with early-career development focused on tech and human skills, writes Pete Humphreys In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, organisations face a critical challenge: developing talent that can thrive in the digital age while maintaining essential human skills. This challenge is particularly acute when it comes to integrating Generation Z, those born during the mid-1990s and early 2010s, into the workplace as the skills gap between education and employment continues to widen.  Prioritising early-career development can yield…

The Art of Graphic Design Therapy

The impactful learning experiences of both reality and unreality 

Steve Macaulay

Want to create standout training programmes? Mixing realistic and unrealistic experiences could be the answer, as Steve Macaulay and David Buchanan explain  Many L&D professionals already recognise the value of using realistic experiences to enhance training programmes. By bridging the gap between theory and practice, these experiences can significantly improve learning outcomes. This is almost second nature for many L&D professionals. However, there are times when introducing elements of unreality can encourage new thinking, spark creativity, and develop essential new skills.   Incorporating…

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Strengthening the backbone: Manager training is crucial for organisational health

René Janssen

Helping managers thrive is essential for team engagement and organisational success. René Janssen explains how comprehensive training provides the tools to address today’s challenges When you’re a manager, the pressure comes from all sides. Including balancing organisational goals, team dynamics and individual performance amid the complexities of modern work environments. These challenges tend to accumulate quickly and, if left unaddressed, can significantly increase the risk of burnout.    Investing in a manager is investing in the entire organisation’s wellbeing  Managers are…