Communication

Make It Human – book review 

Donna Ward-Higgs

A lost sense of humanity creates unhappy humans – this books focuses on a different future! Reviewed by Donna Ward-Higgs  Book: Make It Human, a visionfor happier, healthier, more human workplacesAuthor: Sarah McLellan Sarah McLellan’s ‘Vision for happier, healthier, more human workplaces’ is a wonderful exploration of what is required to create organisational environments where people can thrive. The author begins by sharing an imagined future world of work for her daughter before exploring our currently reality and what has…

image of colorful blocks with people icons over wooden table ,human resources and management concept

A week in the life of: The CEO of a learning business community and Learning Network board member

Kim Ellis

Kim Ellis shares about L&D Free Spirits that serves freelancers and small businesses in L&D Hi everyone, my name is Kim, and I have been in the amazing L&D world for nearly 20 years. For the past seven of those, I have been self-employed as the Chief Learning Architect of Go Ginger Learning Solutions. When the first Covid lockdowns happened in 2020, I suggested hosting coffee mornings for members of The Learning Network (LN). I then started editing their newsletter…

Laughing work colleagues brainstorming together in an office

Why your brainstorming sessions fail: How to unlock your team’s true creative potential

Chris Griffiths

Discover how strategies like daydreaming breaks, eliminating groupthink, and BrainSprinting can boost your team’s creativity with Chris Griffiths and Caragh Medlicott  In an ideal world, brainstorming sessions would always be fruitful. Everyone would come together, ideas would fly, and you’d leave with ideas aplenty and clear plans for implementation. Sadly, an ideal world isn’t quite where we live. Still, do not despair! As with anything in life, the strategy we bring to a task can have a huge impact on…

Business Team Meeting Working Talking Concept

Facilitate and flourish: The role of communities for professional growth

Fiona McBride

Explore how shared learning, nurturing connections, and active contribution in communities can boost professional growth with Fiona McBride In my last post, I shared how the changing season can serve as a metaphor for growth within our facilitation practice. I reflected on the importance of seeking continuous improvement, trying new approaches as a professional.   In our professional lives, those around us play a crucial role in our personal development and contribute to the collective success of our clients and customers.  …

World of Learning 2024 conference attendees

Adapting to Change: Leadership, Neuroscience, and AI in Workplace Learning

Jo Cook

Explore key points from the World of Learning conference, including AI, neuroscience, leadership and inclusivity – all summarised by Editor Jo Cook At the World of Learning conference, industry leaders shared innovative ideas and practical approaches for transforming workplace learning. Below are the key takeaways from sessions that addressed managerial buy-in, leadership in changing environments, neuroscience in learning, AI-driven skill measurement, and workforce planning – all of which took place in Birmingham, UK, in October 2024. We don’t just train…

two radio hosts in headphones talking while recording podcast in radio studio

TJ podcast: Gender, AI, and the pursuit of equity – episode 324

Jo Cook

Discussing AI perpetuating existing gender imbalances, men’s health awareness, perimenopause support and L&D gender perception Podcast summary: Created by Cleanvoice The podcast explores the complex relationship between gender and AI, discussing how design choices by developers can influence how users perceive the gender of AI assistants. Research shows men are more likely to use AI technology compared to women, mirroring gender imbalances in the workplace. The speakers examine how gender biases and perceptions impact AI adoption and use, emphasizing the…

Three interlocking gears, symbolizing the three branches of government and their complex system of checks and balances

The third wheel: the complex relationship between organisations, vendors and consultants 

Andrew Jacobs

Struggling with vendor issues? A consultant’s sharp insight and unbiased advice can turn things around, as Andrew Jacobs explains You know that awkward moment when you’re in a restaurant and you see a couple at another table having a difficult conversation? You can tell by their body language; they’re detached and not really listening to each other. You’ll see one of them (usually a man) trying to impress the other with grandiose statements about the future. All the while, the…

Young woman with red curly hair holding and shouting in megaphone. Colorful trendy background in pop art style pink blue yellow. Sales commercial communication banner with copy space

L&D marcomms: Communication and the concept it’s taken place

Hayley Maisey

Applying marketing insights to your L&D communications can ensure clarity, engagement and alignment for all. Hayley Maisey shares how  Communication: the action of transferring a message from one person or thing to another, visually, audibly or in written form so the information is understood. It’s a key skill for effective collaboration and organisational success.  Adopting some of marketing’s approaches can ensure clarity, engagement and alignment when crafting an internal campaign and rolling out the messaging Yet, as George Bernard Shaw astutely…

Conversational Wisdom book cover with "TJ book review" text to the right.

Conversational Wisdom – book review 

Peter Plumlee

Packed with insights, this book provides practical tools to enhance communication skills in everyday life. Reviewed by Peter Plumlee    Book: Conversational WisdomAuthors: Emily Cosgrove and Sara Hope I was intrigued yet uncertain about what to expect before diving into this book. We all like to think we engage in insightful conversations daily, but this book prompts us to truly reflect on our daily communication. Our increasingly hybrid lives put meaningful communication at risk, and the authors provide a roadmap for…

Manager attentively listening to an employee, representing empathy

Emotions and impact: How to normalise emotional expression in the workplace and why it’s important

Phil Willcox

Encouraging emotional expression at work can reduce stress, build trust and enhance overall job satisfaction – Phil Willcox shares practical steps to create a more supportive workplace In the workplace, people lie about how they feel.  Daily.  And lying is rarely pleasurable.  There are several reasons why people often feel the need to conceal their emotions. This can stem from feeling a lack of psychological safety or trust in the environment or team they are in, or it may be…