Communication
The pitfalls of positivity: a candid look at embracing our weaknesses
Mike Thackray navigates the thin line between development and acceptance I’m not good at organising social events. I’ve tried it and I’ve just about managed when I’ve had to do, though several colleagues past and present may beg to differ here. I do not and never have had the core competencies and motivation to be a good event organiser. It simply does not align with what I naturally bring to the table. It’s high time we start accepting and even…
Navigating cultural landscapes: how L&D can drive inclusion and diversity in the contemporary workplace
Explore innovative strategies, from cultural competence training to combatting biases, that elevate organisational success, with Ravinder Tulsiani In the modern work environment, diversity and inclusion are not just buzzwords but essential elements for organisational success. The role of Learning and Development (L&D) in fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace is increasingly recognised as a strategic necessity. This article explores how L&D can effectively contribute to these critical aspects of workplace culture. In-depth cultural competence training The journey towards an inclusive…
Elevate your leadership: 10 strategies for a positive workplace culture and team success
Set the tone for a successful year ahead with a guide for leaders from CEO Lakeisha Robichaux As leaders step into the new year, they have the opportunity to set the tone for success, foster positive culture, and inspire team development is always top of mind. Leadership reflection on the past year is a vital exercise for personal and professional growth Here are 10 ways for leaders to kickstart the year with a focus on positive culture, effective communication, and…
From fear to freedom: strategies for building psychological safety at work
Fear, silence, and missed opportunities: Sophie Seex looks at the barriers to psychological safety in the workplace It makes headlines when organisation’s catastrophically fail: The Boeing disaster, the demise of Nokia, sexual harassment in the CBI, and the Jimmy Savile scandal all have their roots in the fear of speaking out, or people not being taken seriously when they do. To some extent, whistleblowing policies aim to address this issue, but they are not always enough to tackle employees’ fear…
Unlocking leadership excellence in troubling times
Beyond authority lies the heart of leadership—shared vision, personal accountability, and the ability to influence. This article from Dan Richards explores leadership responsibility, relationship-building, and investment for success Napoleon said that leadership is dealing in hope. Brene Brown said it’s finding the potential in people and the courage to help develop it. Churchill said it’s resilience and “the courage to continue that counts.” Leadership is crucial for shaping success, yet it is complex and multifaceted, encompassing a range of qualities,…
Learning how to be an agile leader
Navigating the fog: Pete Behrens shares four pillars of agile leadership for success in disruption Agility is one of the most significant meta-skills for leaders operating in highly disruptive or disrupted industries to improve leadership effectiveness. The speed and complexity in these environments generate a fog that impedes vision and makes planning efforts feel useless. Agility, while appearing to be the antithesis of vision and planning, is actually a complementary skill to improve outcomes despite these impediments. However, before learning…
7 tips for a successful end of year career conversation
Appraisals shouldn’t be a yearly nasty surprise. Dr Helmut Schuster and Dr David Oxley share how to make this a much improved situation Be honest, have you ever had a completely transparent, meaningful career conversation as part of a corporate appraisal process? Career or ‘development’ conversations have historically been attached to appraisal processes. How do you have a genuine conversation about careers when the subtext is that you are being measured and compared? Even for those businesses that separate development…
How ambition around your DE&I plans drives employee engagement
Challenging the organisation to focus on purpose and consider everyone involved can bring all sorts of benefits and Yetunde Hofmann shares how As many consultancy reports and research pieces have shown over the years, DE&I is integral to organisational success. It drives innovation, creativity, commercial gains, and is also key to winning – and retaining – talent. But sustaining an organisation’s focus and drive around Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) plans can sometimes be difficult. Strategies lack direction, progress isn’t…
Attracting Gen Z
Is safety the new benefit of choice for Generation Z? Richard Stockley discusses ways to engage this vital group It’s no secret that holding on to young talent is becoming increasingly difficult. Many businesses are feeling the pressure. Job vacancies continue to rise whilst progress towards upskilling existing workforces remains slower than industry demand. As a result, employers are finding alternative ways to retain talent. With Gen Z employees expected to make up 27% of the global workforce by 2025,…
Building a collaborative culture
Steve Macaulay and Sarah Cook explore how to create and sustain a collaborative culture in organisations Working together in a complex global environment is challenging even though it can yield substantial benefits. Collaboration yields great results, but only if it is structured well. Despite its recognised benefits, achieving effective collaboration is no easy task – and how can HR and L&D play a substantial role. What is collaboration In an era dominated by technological evolution and remote work trends, collaboration…
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