Independent Professionals
The dangers of ‘wellbeing washing’ and how to avoid it
Anna Eliatamby explores workplace wellbeing, exposing pitfalls and offering effective strategies Years ago, business recognised the importance of supporting and enhancing the wellbeing and mental health of employees and leaders. Wellbeing and employee assistance programmes came into existence. All this came to a crescendo during the Covid-19 pandemic. It is worth assessing the extent to which current efforts enhance wellbeing, and then make necessary changes A central pivot for these programmes was, and remains, learning and development (L&D). These interventions…
Why the way we do business needs to change
Stuck in old ways in a new business world? Blaire Palmer shares key tips to modernise your approach and succeed today With a few minor tweaks, we still run our organisations and organise our people the same way we have done for more than 200 years. We judge people by their working hours, we have a career ladder which goes only in one direction – up. We try to motivate employees with a new job title, a pay rise and…
Redefining neurodiversity in the workplace: beyond autism and dyslexia
Ed Thompson delves into neurodiversity, showing its power to enhance teamwork and foster inclusivity in the workplace Neurodiversity, contrary to common misconceptions, doesn’t only refer to autism, dyslexia and other forms of neurodivergence. In fact, it just means that humans all think differently – there is no one “normal” brain. It is within that human spectrum that all of us somewhere lie. Every organisation is already neurodiverse: 20% of the population may be neurodivergent in some way However, most teams…
How can first-time CEOs manage stress effectively?
New to the top job? Don’t panic! David Roche shares practical tips to help first-time CEOs succeed McKinsey asserts that $1trillion is lost every year in market value of S&P’s top 1500 companies because of poorly planned transitions of CEOs and C-suite appointments. Not surprising, then, that two out of five CEOs fail in their first 18 months, according to the Harvard Business Review. Only when a leader is prepared to ask questions and lean on the skills of…
Research insights for understanding employee needs
Pay is not the only reason employees choose to stay in a role, writes Evgeniya Blyznyuk People professionals regularly face challenges related to employee wellbeing, engagement, retention, and satisfaction with working conditions. To build a healthy workplace, it is important to understand the key needs and desires of staff. The results of a recent survey by Gradus Research showed that financial security is not the number one priority for a happy life among office workers, as it is commonly believed.…
The importance of upskilling both technical and leadership skills
Sue Musson on how L&D can enhance the leadership skills of technical experts Leaders with technical competence hold a unique advantage in today’s demanding workplace. Their expertise establishes immediate credibility, provides a valuable knowledge resource for their organisations, and demonstrates exceptional technical proficiency. Such leaders also benefit from structured pathways for continuing professional development, ensuring their technical skills stay sharp and relevant. It’s easy to spot the technical expert who has been promoted to a leadership role but not planned…
Global workplace turmoil: the unresolved crisis of violence and harassment
As one in five report experiencing violence and harassment at work, Aaron Gardner looks at what has been done to create safer workplaces Around the world, violence and harassment in the workplace is a major issue. Data from the Lloyd’s Register Foundation World Risk Poll indicates that more than one in five (21%) workers globally have experienced violence and harassment at work. The next stage is to take action, and there are clear and effective steps that can be…
Key skills for sustainable change programmes
Marek Szwejczewski, Steve Macaulay and Bob Lillis on the link between successful change and shifting skills, mindsets and attitudes L&D and people professionals have long understood that organisational change is essential and inevitable today; but what are the key skills involved and when should they be deployed? L&D professionals play a crucial role in developing the necessary skills at each stage of the change process Insights were gleaned from research into planned change programmes that lasted 18 months to six…
Ghosting in recruitment doesn’t have to be a horror story
Luke Shipley on how to keep communication lines firing on all cylinders during the hiring process Ghosting isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when you think about hiring a new employee, or when speaking to a potential employer. But with the shift to remote and digital-first work over the last few years, the way we recruit and employ people has changed – and with that comes new challenges and workplace trends. The best way to solve ghosting is…
LTEM and Action Mapping: hot sauce for business-driven learning
Ricci Masero adds zest to training evaluations, aligning learning with organisational goals and kicking performance gaps to the curb While travelling in the lush paradise of Costa Rica, where zesty hot sauce is as ubiquitous as the tropical sunshine, I stumbled on an insightful LinkedIn comment that sparked my interest in LTEM and Action Mapping. Just as the locals here expertly blend fiery chilies and tantalising spices to create their beloved hot sauces, these learning methodologies offer the perfect recipe…
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