Communication
Designing conferences that foster innovation, collaboration, and real impact
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…
The spectrum of success: fostering an inclusive workplace for the neurodivergent
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…
The strategic mind: elevating your leadership game in uncertain times
Michael Watkins, author of The Six Disciplines of Strategic Thinking, explores how to unlock your potential and develop your strategic thinking muscles Strategic thinking is a vital skill for leaders navigating their businesses through today’s turbulent waters. Your capacity to think strategically is shaped by your endowment – your innate cognitive abilities – and your experience in situations demanding strategic thought. You can enhance your strategic thinking abilities by playing specific games regularly By the time you reach adulthood, your…
Years older, or years better?
David Buchanan and Steve Macaulay explore the perceived challenges and the positive advantages to a workforce with a variety of age ranges The changing demographics of an ageing population and declining birth rates pose a pressing people management challenge. To address skill and labour shortages, employers must actively recruit, retain and develop older workers. Adaptation requires a targeted approach to HR policies and L&D agendas, recognising and leveraging the valuable experience older workers bring to the workforce. How old is…
Unlock the secrets of skilful public speaking: insights from the pros
On social media we asked about advice for presentations and boy did our community answer, read their strategies and tips here Public speaking is an art form that requires more than just the ability to speak loudly and clearly—it demands engagement, preparation, authenticity, and a deep connection with your audience. Drawing from a wealth of advice shared by professionals across various platforms, we delve into the nuances of effective public speaking, offering a detailed guide that encompasses the collective wisdom…
Unlocking the power of neurodiversity
In this feature, Steve Macaulay looks at the benefits and importance of neurodiverse employees Every manager aims to make the best use of all the resources available so that their employees feel fulfilled and satisfied that they are reaching their full potential and contributing fully to the success of the organisation. However, a potential performance gap that has not been fully explored is the wide variation in the way each person approaches work and relationships and how each learns. Fostering…
TJ podcast: Artificial intelligence in L&D – episode 313
The TJ podcast has a host of L&D experts talk through the Artificial Intelligence in workplace learning, including about digital adoption, impact on our L&D jobs and the opportunity of productivity growth. Speakers include: Links from the discussion: Transcript summary: Created by ChatGPT The podcast for learning and development (L&D) professionals delves into the transformative impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the sector, presenting a variety of perspectives from industry leaders. The discussion covers the rapid adoption of AI technologies,…
The art of building winning hybrid teams
James Scouller sets out principles from managing teams to ensure that even when you aren’t together, you can still achieve One question clients often ask me is, “How should my approach to building a winning team change when we’ve switched to hybrid working?” It’s clear that hybrid working has been difficult for many team leaders. And it’s true, navigating the shift from physical to virtual or hybrid teams can seem daunting. Yet my answer is always the same: “The seven…
Tayloring learning: the power of talking
Daniel Taylor talks and talks about talking and talking. Oh, and a bit of listening too! I love to chat and natter with friends. This kind of talking feels so easy. Yet talking can also feel tough. Maybe you are unable to communicate how you view something, or you feel that you are just not heard. How about when you watch politicians on TV, a debate or your favourite reality show, such as Married at First Sight: are they really…
A four-step process for having tough conversations with difficult people
James Scouller looks at how to structure those challenging conversations so that everyone wins I’ve found that most managers struggle with what I call “tough conversations” with people they find “difficult” – people who underperform or behave badly and show no signs of changing. Unfortunately, research research by Larson and LaFasto shows that engaging and resolving issues with difficult team members is one of the six things people most want from their team leaders. So instead they avoid them altogether.…
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