Culture
Leading with empathy: Managing mistakes in the workplace
Encouraging communication around gaffes and oversights, with empathy and continuous improvement, is the leadership superpower says Ravinder Tulsiani Mistakes are inevitable in any organisation. They can range from minor errors to costly blunders, and how leaders respond to these mistakes can significantly impact the company’s culture and the employees’ morale. How a leader handles mistakes can foster a learning environment or create a culture of fear and blame. One key principle in managing mistakes is to recognise that they are…
Practical steps businesses can take to develop a positive and productive workplace
From hiring and training to management and perks, tips to improve workplace motivation and engagement, by Iffi Wahla There is wider recognition in this day and age that a happy workplace is a productive workplace. And yet, according to recent research by Gallup, a staggering £257bn is lost in the UK economy due to a lack of workplace motivation and engagement. That’s a huge sum, and it underscores the importance of cultivating a positive and productive work environment. A motivated…
Leaders are approaching skill building all wrong
It’s time to change “What’s in it for me?” to “What’s in it for them?” Stuart Cheesman explores an employee-centric approach UK leaders will be fully aware of their organisation’s skills gap, and HR’s struggles at filling the void. And with the World Economic Forum, stating that 50% of all employees will need reskilling by 2025, learning and development (L&D) initiatives have never been more important. An ‘employee first’ approach to skill building bolsters inclusion, a sense of community and organisational growth…
Labour’s return: Implications for skills and development
Labour’s election victory reshapes the UK workplace: implications for skills, technology, safety, and mental health The Labour Party will be in Government after the 2024 UK election, for the first time in 14 years. But what does it mean for people, skills and development in organisations? The Labour Party’s win yesterday is an opportunity for the education and skills system Nicola Hay MBE Technology and skills British Safety Council’s Chairman Peter McGettrick said, “We want to see people’s health, safety…
Fostering connection: The antidote to workplace loneliness
A lack of connection at work has impact both for the organisation and the individual. Thom Dennis explores this and shares ways to improve A paradox has emerged in today’s fast-paced, technology-driven work environment: increased connectivity often leads to a sense of disconnection. Social media was supposed to bring us closer together, but it seems we’ve never felt so alone. Collecting ‘friends’ and followers has become a ploy that keeps us engrossed in our technology, yet lost without genuine connection.…
Editor’s blog: Is the people profession unique in the organisation?
Is the role of the supporting and developing the workforce actually unique? Jo Cook reflects. A lot of questions were posed at the HR Leaders Unconference in London yesterday – everything from AI and organisations processes, through to finding time to decide how to “be” a supportive people function. Many things piqued my interest, and one in particular stayed with me: it was the statement that HR is unique in the business, in it’s challenges and responsibilities. We can appropriately…
Performance lessons for organisations from football, tennis and F1
Techniques used in elite sports offer valuable insights for business to improve performance and wellbeing. John McLachlan shares the strategies Our research on organisational performance originated from two key problems. Firstly, that organisations were demanding approaches that balanced performance with employee wellbeing and sustainability. And second, that academic research into organisational performance lacked real-world practical application. Defining what performance means for the organisation or role is essential Elite sports offered us an ideal context to study because it defines performance…
Investing in success: Building the multi-generational dream team
Navigating a multi-generational workforce can be challenging, but differences can be transformed into organisational strengths. Graham James reveals how managers can achieve a united team Do you view a multigenerational workforce as posing a challenge or being a massive benefit? Many might say a challenge, but the correct answer is a benefit when a collaborative force is in play. Personal and professional development is a great way to plug the existing skills gap and alleviate workplace divisions and burnout Co-operation…
Embracing a strengths-based development approach
Do you focus on faults or strengths? One approach can help improve engagement and productivity – Steve Macaulay and Sarah Cook report When a mistake or problem arises, how do you and your organisation typically react? A common response is what we would call the “dumping a pile of bricks” approach: coming down hard on the individual responsible, focusing intensely on the weakness or difficulty, and pouring resources into solving the problem. Employees who use their strengths daily are six…
The future belongs to the curious
In a world of AI and constant change, it’s the curious that will outperform others. Thomas Bergen shares with us about developing meta-skills Traditional training methods that neatly separate hard and soft skills are often inadequate. They do not address the multifaceted challenges of contemporary learning and knowledge management in the workplace. Emphasising meta-skills empowers employees to become self-reliant problem-solvers, elevating the value of human contribution within the organisation. Blending human expertise with advanced AI technology is what is needed…
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