People Managers
When reviews backfire: How smart managers turn damage into growth
Appraisals gone wrong can leave employees feeling anxious, rejected and disengaged. Drawing on psychological insights, Srideep Sarkar and Anu Sarkar explain how managers can navigate these moments with care. Learn how to rebuild trust, restore confidence and transform even the toughest performance conversations into catalysts for learning, resilience and growth. Performance appraisals are meant to provide clarity, motivation, and a roadmap for growth. But for many employees, they bring frustration, disappointment, and even self-doubt. This is aptly indicated by a…
DEI needs a reboot and L&D is the key
Too many DEI initiatives stop at awareness, but inclusion only sticks when it’s embedded into team dynamics. Norman Grant argues for a shift from one-off workshops to systemic, coaching-led approaches that build everyday inclusive behaviours, turning intent into impact, enabling L&D leaders to lead real, lasting culture change across organisations. For years, DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) has been framed primarily as a training problem–something to be addressed through workshops, policy updates, or annual awareness events. But what happens after the…
Who’s missing from L&D’s digital revolution?
As L&D evolves through rapid technological change, many professionals risk being left behind. Oyindamola Ojo-Eriamiatoe highlights the barriers faced by experienced practitioners facing redundancy, students unaware of edtech careers, and women returning to work. Oyindamola offers inclusive, practical solutions to ensure that no one is excluded from the sector’s future. The L&D sector is experiencing a significant transformation as technology reshapes how we approach education and training. However, this shift presents challenges for various underrepresented groups within the L&D community.…
From fintech to founder: one woman’s mission to rewrite the rules
Danai Antoniou, co-founder and Chief Scientist at Gradient Labs, shares hard-won insights from her journey through systemic bias in tech. From salary transparency to challenging microaggressions, she outlines the practical changes leaders can make now to support the next generation, and ensure equity is built into every level of leadership. I’m a woman in a senior tech leadership role and faced my share of systemic bias. Now, as a founder, I’m making sure the next generation faces less of it.…
Workplace conflict: why we’re trapped in drama and how to stop it
Many of us unknowingly fall into dysfunctional roles that quickly escalate workplace conflict, stall progress and can create unrest during our day. Jane Gunn explores Karpman’s Drama Triangle, its impact on teams, and how professionals can move beyond blame and bad feeling towards empowerment, assertiveness and better outcomes for everyone. If you often find yourself walking on eggshells with a colleague, want to rescue a co-worker who is struggling, or feel you often need to give guidance to others who…
Why cultural intelligence is reshaping recruitment
As companies become increasingly global, the ability to navigate cultural differences is no longer optional, it’s essential. Mariia Skorokhod explores why recruiters must cultivate cultural intelligence to build trust, communicate effectively, and unlock the full potential of international talent within rapidly evolving recruitment, creating a culture shift along the way. As companies continue to expand globally, increasing numbers of individuals are immigrating in search of better opportunities, and international exchange programs are becoming more common. This growing interconnectedness has given…
Diversity isn’t enough: L&D’s role in helping future leaders be seen and heard
Charlotte Otter explores how L&D can move beyond hiring commitments to support genuine career growth for diverse talent. With visibility, support and structured development, learning professionals can help underrepresented leaders step into their power—and the C-Suite—at a time when some companies are pulling back from their DEI promises. Hiring diverse talent is only the start. It’s much harder to create pathways for promotion so that diverse leaders can grow into increasingly senior roles. Some of this responsibility lies with individuals…
The evolution of workplace wellbeing: It’s more than words, it’s a leadership practice
Back in the 1980s, it was all about toughing it out. Now, workplace wellbeing means so much more. Dr Lesley Aitcheson looks at how mental, emotional and physical health became business priorities. She explains why leaders make the real difference, and why it’s time to stop talking and start doing As a middle manager in the 1980s, I quickly learnt to acclimatise to the prevailing workplace ethos: tough it out, whatever the personal cost. Vulnerability was rarely welcomed. Admitting to…
Psychological safety for neurodiversity: One size does not fit all
Psychological safety is the secret sauce of brilliant teams, but how does it actually play out, especially when neurodivergent minds are in the mix? We explore what it means to feel safe, seen and supported at work, and why listening better might just be the leadership superpower we all need Psychological safety has become a cornerstone for effective, innovative, high-performing teams. But what is it actually like in practice? And how can we recognise its presence, particularly in environments where…
The myth of leadership versus management: Why the best managers do both
Too often, leadership and management are treated as opposing forces. But what if the real value lies in knowing how and when to switch between them? Paul Matthews explores how modern managers can blend both to get results without the drama, and why clinging to old distinctions just doesn’t work We often hear that leadership is somehow superior to management – as if one is purely about vision and inspiration, while the other is only about checklists and control. But…
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