Independent Professionals
How to handle difficult conversations without losing learner trust
Training and coaching can surface emotions, resistance, and of course, personal baggage. But with curiosity, empathy, and assertiveness, learning professionals can turn tension into transformation—and build deeper trust with their clients. Cliff Lansley explores three types of empathy and advises on how the learning professional can implement this approach. Training and coaching individuals and teams in organisations isn’t easy – whether as a learning and development professional working within an organisation, or as someone serving external clients. The learning and…
Influence or manipulation? Why mindful manoeuvring is a leadership skill no one’s teaching
Influence happens—intentionally or not and it’s the engine of modern leadership. Caitlin Collins unpacks the line between guiding and manipulating at work, revealing why leaders need more than authority to truly move people. This is the leadership skill hiding in plain sight—and it’s time we made it teachable. When a former tech executive recently shared that she had used “manipulation” to pivot her career, the reaction online was swift—equal parts shock and curiosity. The word “manipulation” triggered something. And rightly…
L&Ds role in meeting expectations of early career professionals
Emily Goldsack and Alanna Harrington explore how learning and development can be the deciding factor for early career talent. Their research reveals what young professionals expect from employers — from onboarding through to long-term growth — and how L&D can help organisations meet these needs to build engagement, trust and future-ready leaders. In a world where organisational success is defined by speed and adaptability, attracting early talent is essential to stay ahead. They bring innovative ideas, a hunger to learn,…
How to stretch your budget to achieve high-impact L&D
Tight budgets don’t have to mean low impact. Steve Macaulay shares smart, strategic ways to do more with less in your L&D department, so you can look at boosting learning, increasing performance, and sparking innovation – without breaking the bank. From internal expertise to open-source tools, it’s all about working smarter! Many L&D professionals struggle to stretch their budgets to meet growing organisational demands. Surveys consistently highlight budget constraints as a top concern for HR and L&D professionals worldwide. Underfunded…
We should all be training our teams in the use of AI – the why and the how
With US public institutions stepping up AI training, it’s time for businesses to ask: why aren’t we doing the same? This piece by Grant Polachek explores why interest in AI is high but usage is low — and what leaders must do to close the training gap and build AI-ready cultures Last year multiple states including Connecticut, California, Mississippi, and Maryland announced plans to help facilitate AI training for workers. Connecticut has gone the furthest – launching a free Citizens…
Taking a results-based approach to L&D investment
As businesses tighten belts and talent gaps widen, L&D really has a chance to shine—not with attendance stats, but by proving real impact. Aisling MacNamara calls for a smarter, outcomes-led approach that aligns learning with organisation strategy, speaks the language of business, and turns development into a competitive edge In today’s results-driven business world, demonstrating a clear return on investment is expected for virtually every initiative. Yet, learning and development has too often been the exception. For years, success in…
How to avoid a workplace at war: Transforming conflict into collaboration
Workplace rows? They don’t have to end in tears (or tribunals). With the right nudge from learning and development, leaders can turn tension into teamwork. Carole Gaskell shares actionable insights to help your organisation swap awkward silences for honest chats, and build a culture where conflict fuels connection, not chaos Conflict at work is inevitable, but left unmanaged, it can become one of the most costly, draining, and disruptive forces in any organisation. According to the CIPD Good Work Index…
Securing buy-in for L&D when budgets are tight
When budgets are under pressure, learning and development is often first on the chopping block. But cutting back could mean that companies miss out on long-term wins. Caroline Evans shares how L&D teams can get the decision-makers on-side, prove their value and deliver high-impact learning, even when every pound counts In an ever-changing business landscape – from AI adoption, all the way through to staying afloat in an era where geopolitical tensions are impacting the supply chain – we’re seeing seismic…
The future of technology: Empowering today’s female leaders?
As tech reshapes the world of work, Adeolu Adewumi-Zer explores how female leaders can thrive 🚀 if L&D professionals act now. 💡From digital literacy to AI ethics, the right programmes will unlock a powerful future where women lead innovation, shape strategy and drive real change across industries and organisations 🌟 The landscape of leadership is undergoing a profound transformation driven by the relentless march of technology. It is imperative to examine how this technological evolution will uniquely impact female leaders and…
TJ podcast: From talk to transformation – the art of effective facilitation – episode 327
In this episode, we explore the subtle (and not-so-subtle) differences between teaching, training, and facilitation—and why they matter more than you might think. From accidental facilitators to seasoned pros, our guests share honest reflections, practical approaches, and cautionary tales about what makes learning stick. We dive into the skills that set great facilitators apart, the common mistakes that derail engagement and impact, and why designing for learning transfer is non-negotiable. Whether you’re delivering in person or online, this is a…
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