Independent Professionals
A week in the life of: A trainee psychotherapist
Balancing work, studies and a placement isn’t easy, but Anita Guru is relishing the challenge Rewind to 2020 at the start of the pandemic: I could foresee significant challenges for mental health. The trauma people experienced wasn’t solely from contracting Covid, but also from isolation, lack of human interaction, an absent sense of community, and fear for their safety. I knew these would have huge implications going forward. Switching off ‘therapist mode’ with friends and family has been a learning curve For…
The power of imperfection: Transforming challenges into opportunities for growth
Steve Macaulay and Sarah Cook explore resilience through Kintsugi – and finding gold after a setback In everyday work situations, it is unrealistic to expect that everything goes to plan. More and more managers acknowledge the need to build the capability of resilience to better manage stress and pressure and bounce back after setbacks. Setbacks are growth opportunities. By learning from mistakes, we become more resilient and adaptable The Japanese art of Kintsugi, which involves repairing broken pottery with gold…
A positive approach to menopause in the workplace
How L&D can create work environments that empower women to thrive during menopause and beyond In today’s evolving workplace, it is crucial for L&D professionals to acknowledge the impact of menopause and provide support systems for women navigating this life phase. The concept of a ‘second spring’ is rooted in Eastern philosophy, that reframes menopause as a period of renewal and growth. This perspective can offer women – and their employers – powerful tools to foster resilience, wellbeing and career…
The future of expertise is synthesis in a world of abundant information
Now that information is so easily accessible, the rules of expertise at work have changed – Colin Smith is your guide As organisational psychologist and author Adam Grant aptly observes: “The hallmark of expertise is no longer how much you know. It’s how well you synthesise. Information scarcity rewarded knowledge acquisition. Information abundance requires pattern recognition. It’s not enough to collect facts. The future belongs to those who connect dots.” This quote was shared by the Ministry of Justice’s Zoe Sweet at the CIPD…
Keeping an organisation and people safe – the critical role of L&D
How L&D professionals can help businesses mitigate complex security risks through effective training and leadership – with insights from Richard Mackintosh and Sarah Keeling It is widely acknowledged that the world is more dangerous than at any time since 1945. Recent disruptions to world IT systems, caused by a patching update, are a stark warning of the risks we run because of our interconnectedness and dependencies. Instability in Europe and the rise of China, all underpinned and dependent upon emergent…
Editor’s blog: From pageviews to podcasts
Jo Cook shares numbers and articles that made an impact for TJ readers in 2024 It’s often said, but often meant – I can’t believe a year has whizzed by so quickly! This week I’ve been Editor of Training Journal for 12 months, and I’ve enjoyed every single one! What have I been up to in that time? Good question! Here are some numbers! And those numbers in text: 225,238 pageviews on the website144% increase year on year of website…
The art of keeping in touch: Advice for managers and expectant parents on getting the communication balance right
Whether you are returning from parental leave or a manager, Beverlie Wilkinson has some advice As an executive coach who has worked with countless managers and returnees, I’ve seen firsthand the challenges that arise when team members embark on maternity leave. While companies often provide support through their People teams, successfully re-entering the workforce after maternity leave wholeheartedly relies on a proactive and positive relationship between the manager and the team member. I always emphasise the importance of addressing several…
The future of work: Why capabilities are the link between learning and performance
Got goals but no learning? Learning but no application? Ben Satchwell brings it all together An integrated approach to business is nothing new and it could be argued that the approach offers superior performance than when business units, systems and processes operate in isolation. In our world though, what often goes unnoticed is that learning initiatives and performance objectives commonly operate in silos, limiting their effectiveness. Capabilities provide the connective tissue between learning and performance From my experience as the…
Fostering a culture of motivation in the workplace to help employees and organisations thrive
Thriving organisations start with inspired people. Empower employees by listening, learning and creating meaningful culture – Grace French explains People development professionals and business leaders alike face an extraordinarily challenging landscape, battling stubbornly high inflation, interest rates, skills shortages and the looming threat of insolvency or liquidation. In England and Wales, more companies went bankrupt last year than during the 2008 financial crisis, highlighting the severity of the current economic climate. The impacts of major events such as Covid-19, Brexit, ongoing…
Hire local or widen your search? How to tell when a position should be remote
Daniel Parker outlines six factors to decide if a role suits in-house or remote work A business’s growth potential is typically closely aligned with its availability of resources. One of these critical resources is staffing, which can be made up of both in-house employees and remote workers. Create temporary positions that allow you to see how the employee and business adapt to this new structure and if it seems like a viable option But for businesses getting ready to…
Want smart, useful L&D insight in your inbox (without the fluff)?
Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for Editor-only commentary, and exclusive insight that isn’t published anywhere else online.
If you want a quick roundup of what matters, fresh ideas you can use, and the best new reads from Training Journal, this is where it lands
It’s free, only takes a minute, and you can unsubscribe any time.
