People Managers

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Out of touch? The stark reality of the cost-of-living crisis and the responsibility of the C-suite 

Rob Russell

As more employees report feelings of stress and overwhelm, Rob Russell suggests eight ways to help the C-suite play an active role in company culture The cost of living in the UK and across the world has been on the rise since 2022, presenting unique challenges for businesses and individuals alike – and it’s not getting any easier. With 76% of employees reporting feelings of stress and overwhelm as a direct result of living cost hikes, there has never been…

influence analysis

Leadership in times of change: mastering emotional and political intelligence for influence  

Steve Macaulay

Steve Macaulay and Sarah Cook provide an overview of enabling managerial success through EQ and PQ   In times of instability or sudden and unexpected change, it becomes even more important to manage relationships influentially. Many organisations are in this position now, with a host of change issues, one after another – from recovery from the pandemic to supply chain issues and working in a hybrid way.   Bluntly: grasp political and emotional skills if you wish to make a success of…

Concept of empathy and sympathy

From conflict to connection: how empathy shapes effective leaders

Alexandra Efthymiades

The ability to relate to others is more than a nice-to-have. It’s a powerful tool for successful leadership. Alexandra Efthymiades shares the tips you need Take a moment to think about a great boss you had in the past, or you have now. What makes them great? When we ask this question on our management development courses, the answers are often as follows:   Are your answers like these? If they are, then part of what you appreciate about a great boss…

Asian woman work from home during using laptop for teleconference with her team

Reimagining our working life with choice, learning and balance

Laura Probert

Laura Probert looks at achieving truly flexible working and learning, and how she’s already done it In an era where the conventional boundaries of office and classroom have dissolved into the digital landscape, the pursuit of truly flexible working and learning seems like the Holy Grail for contemporary organisations. Yet achieving flexibility isn’t the endpoint but a path that requires constant evolution, experimentation, and a willingness to embrace trial and error. HR professionals are realising that time and productivity are…

Black woman leadership, whiteboard business analysis and presentation for meeting, workshop planning and team mentor. Manager talking, training and working vision, strategy idea and finance analytics.

Learning from life: what I learnt from marketing my business

Michelle Parry-Slater

Michelle Parry-Slater is always Open To Learning, Open To Reflection and Open To Sharing, but this month she looks at being Open To Work I changed my LinkedIn profile to show the #Open To Work banner on my profile photo. I did this as an experiment for this blog. I run my own business – I am always open to work, but does publicly saying so make any difference? I am no algorithm expert so I don’t know what that…

The outline of the brain with the inscription neurodiversity is surrounded by coloured cubes.

Neurodiversity Celebration Week sheds light on neuro-inclusive workplaces

Holly Biggs

Holly Biggs looks at research that reminds us to foster an improved workplace for our neurodivergent employees for humanitarian reasons, but also because it’s good business In a world that thrives on diversity, recognising and celebrating differences has become a cornerstone of progressive societies. One such celebration that takes centre stage is Neurodiversity Celebration Week, 18-24 March 2024. Society often measures success by conformity; Neurodiversity Celebration Week encourages us to embrace and celebrate neuro-different individuals for the rich tapestry of…

Neurodiversity concept. Brain from puzzle and a hand holds a piece with an inscription of the word neurodiversity.

What can employers do to create more neuroinclusive workplaces?

Leanne Maskell

Leanne Maskell highlights that we want a neurodiverse workforce and shares practical ideas for how to manage differences Although 55% of organisations believe they have a neuroinclusive culture, research has shown the opposite. Only 37% of neurodivergent employees polled felt their employer offered meaningful support, and only 52% felt able to talk about neurodiversity at work. 1 in 5 have experienced harassment or discrimination at work.  We are all neurodiverse, as we all think differently from one another, so neuroinclusion…

Silhouette of people and speaker at a conference, with blue background and white writing that says "conference unthinking".

Designing conferences that foster innovation, collaboration, and real impact

Ed Bernacki

Ed Bernacki rethinks the design of conferences and the skills participants need to make the most of them. Oh, and tells off the TJ Editor… Following the World of Learning 2024 London summit, Training Journal asked people on social media, “What is the key learning point from the last event you attended?” It’s an interesting question. Yet, is it the right question? The reason people take notes and never look at them is a result of their lack of skills…

Neurodivergent word represented by wooden letter tiles on a wooden table with glasses and a book

The spectrum of success: fostering an inclusive workplace for the neurodivergent

Hayley Brackley

Hayley Brackley explains neurodiversity and neurodivergent, the problem with ableism, and why we all need an inclusive workplace This week sees Neurodiversity Celebration Week being observed, but what does this actually mean? Neuroinclusion doesn’t sit with just one manager Whilst we are discussing it, what exactly is neurodiversity? Simply put, it recognises the natural variations in brain function and cognition among individuals. No two brains will process the world around us in exactly the same way. Neurodiversity is, all of…

Marc Zao Sanders photo - credit Edis Potori Valtech

TJ interviews: productivity author Marc Zao-Sanders

Jo Cook

TJ’s Editor, Jo Cook, talks to Marc Zao-Sanders, CEO of Filtered and author of Timeboxing: The Power of Doing One Thing at a Time Training Journal: You’ve used the approach you shared in your book over a number of years – how has it impacted your work and those around you? Marc: Yes, I’ve been timeboxing now for well over ten years. The effect it had on my work was massive and immediate. I was always working on what mattered…