People Managers
8 essential components of a successful DEI training programme
Diversity, equity and inclusion isn’t a box to tick, it’s a gamechanger. Get it right with these eight insights for lasting impact, writes Eleanor Hecks Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) have become the top goals of many workplaces. Organisations recognise the importance of building inclusive environments and the benefits they bring to their bottom line. However, for DEI initiatives to succeed, they must go beyond surface-level awareness and address the deeper cultural and systemic challenges for sustainable implementation. DEI training is…
Struggling with trust at work? Blame ‘attachment theory’
Anxious, avoidant or secure? Our early attachments shape how we connect and communicate at work – but coaching helps rebuild trust and foster healthier workplace relationships, writes John Perry Attachment theory, a concept introduced by British psychologist John Bowlby, provides profound insights into how early-life relationships shape our ways of connecting with others. Originally centred on caregiver-child bonds, it has far-reaching implications in the workplace. It reveals how our ability – or struggle – to trust, connect and communicate is…
Everyone wins if we employ more trained former prisoners
Hiring ex-offenders helps to fill skills gaps, strengthen businesses and create wider benefits for society – Sid Madge explains Too many former prisoners reoffend after release – a problem the UK urgently needs to address. Reoffending rates vary based on factors like offence type, age and sentence length, but shockingly, up to 50% of ex-inmates will reoffend within a year. By employing ex-offenders, businesses aren’t just filling job vacancies – they’re contributing to a powerful ripple effect that can reshape lives, families…
Managers: Are you fuelling conflict in your team?
Calling all fixers, ostriches and bureaucrats, it’s time to try the owl approach to management – Anna Shields explains A recent CIPD study found that managers could inadvertently be fuelling tensions in their teams. L&D need to identify counterproductive approaches to conflict management and build the skills to overcome these. Owl managers see the world from a wider range of perspectives, identify issues with an open mind, and handle relationship breakdowns with empathy and care Do managers fuel conflict? The…
Scaling skill adoption with AI and a human-centric approach
Take a phased approach and keep people at the heart of strategy, advises James Swift Leyton, like many businesses, prioritises client retention as a crucial driver of sustainable growth. Recognising that their consultants’ skills directly impacted client relationships and retention rates, Leyton’s talent development team sought innovative solutions to improve skill adoption and consistency across their workforce. The business challenge was to boost client retention. AI provided unprecedented visibility into employee skill usage… replacing subjective observations with objective data …
The AI revolution and navigating the future of talent management
By fostering human skills alongside artificial intelligence, organisations can better prepare their workforces for success – Pete Humphreys explains The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into the people profession has become crucial in order to remain competitive. As candidates and employees increasingly embrace AI-powered tools, Human Resources (HR) departments must swiftly adapt to remain relevant and effective. This shift presents both opportunities and challenges, particularly in talent management. The most successful HR departments will be those that strike the right balance between…
Organizational Learning Communities – book review
Practical, insightful and inspiring, this go-to guide is packed with fresh ideas and real-world strategies – Peter Plumlee reviews essential reading for L&D professionals, team leaders and anyone seeking smarter collaboration Book: Organizational Learning Communities – Empowering social learning and collaboration to improve performanceAuthor: Andy Lancaster When I first picked up Organizational Learning Communities – Empowering social learning and collaboration to improve performance, I wasn’t sure what I was getting into. A 400- page book about learning communities? It sounded…
From code to culture: How AI can embed company culture
Artificial intelligence can help turn company culture from words on a wall into something real – Elie Rashbass explains how Strong and healthy cultures help businesses and employees thrive. Weak or toxic cultures, on the other hand, harm both the workforce and the business’s bottom line. Companies know culture matters and recognise exactly what values they want. However, listing and wanting certain values, even if you mean it (which most companies do!), doesn’t make them a reality. The missing link…
First-time Chief People Officer? How to build for success in 2025
Focus on enhancing employee experience, navigating legislative changes and upskilling your workforce, advises Emma-Claire Kavanagh As business leaders grapple with new legislation, evolving technology and customer demands, they’ll be relying on their Chief People Officers (COPs) to build a workforce that can adapt to market changes in the year ahead. Stepping into the CPO role demands strong HR expertise, but also a deep understanding of an organisation’s long-term goals and the confidence to advise the board at every turn. This…
From tap to hip hop: How dance inspires workplace excellence
Success at work requires precision, energy, expression and adaptability – just like mastering different dance styles. Karl Green shares lessons from the stage to help you perform at your best Some of our most powerful lessons about workplace success come from unexpected places. As someone from a performance background of over a decade, who pivoted career from dance and musical theatre to coaching and development, one of my favourite analogies is how different dances mirror various approaches to work and…
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