Culture
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…
Cultivating trust: The foundation of strong relationships
Explore the profound impact of trust in workplace dynamics with practical insights, takeaways and tips. Karen Carey explains why trust isn’t just a buzzword; it’s the lifeblood of robust relationships Trust, the elusive elixir of relationships, is a dynamic force shaped by personal experiences. In the professional space, the impact of trust is significantly influencing the very core of workplace dynamics. Trust brings self-reflection. Leaders often overlook the power of looking inward Reflecting on my own journey, a pivotal moment unfolded…
Why the way we do business needs to change
Stuck in old ways in a new business world? Blaire Palmer shares key tips to modernise your approach and succeed today With a few minor tweaks, we still run our organisations and organise our people the same way we have done for more than 200 years. We judge people by their working hours, we have a career ladder which goes only in one direction – up. We try to motivate employees with a new job title, a pay rise and…
Global workplace turmoil: the unresolved crisis of violence and harassment
As one in five report experiencing violence and harassment at work, Aaron Gardner looks at what has been done to create safer workplaces Around the world, violence and harassment in the workplace is a major issue. Data from the Lloyd’s Register Foundation World Risk Poll indicates that more than one in five (21%) workers globally have experienced violence and harassment at work. The next stage is to take action, and there are clear and effective steps that can be…
The Glass Cliff – book review
Book: The Glass CliffAuthor: Sophie Williams I’m sure it’s not a coincidence that a book about women in leadership being under-represented and undermined was released the day before International Women’s Day. The day where women and their contributions are celebrated is an annual reminder that there is still much to do around equity and inclusion, but nothing quite prepared me for the bleak reality provided by Sophie Williams in this book. I found myself looking forward to starting the next…
My whole self – creating psychologically safe cultures at work
Simon Blake on the importance of feeling valued and empowered to be our ‘whole self’ at work When I feel safe at work, I am me without worrying about whether I am being judged. And when I am confident about that, I can be innovative. I push and stretch myself, and explore new ideas because my focus is on my work, not on worrying about what other people think of me. This extract is not verbatim, but captures the essence of the…
Out of touch? The stark reality of the cost-of-living crisis and the responsibility of the C-suite
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…
C-suite and HR disconnect: can L&D redress the balance?
HR is often undervalued by the C-suite. Stan Massueras shows how to demonstrate the link between people programmes and business outcomes As workplace trends continue to evolve and businesses drive for greater productivity, performance and profitability, HR and L&D leaders are feeling increased pressure and scrutiny to show the value of their work. In the midst of that, however, it appears that a growing disconnect between the C-suite and HR strategy is developing. L&D has a vital role to play…
Organisation culture at the movies
David Buchanan and Steve Macaulay suggest the movies to watch and the questions to discuss Organisation culture is a ‘soft’ issue for most managers – vague, and intangible. But dysfunctional cultures have disastrous consequences. How can we get this message across? Films have learning advantages. The narratives are entertaining… and the events are often controversial Conventional methods don’t overcome the ‘soft topic’ problem. Sessions with charismatic speakers, colourful PowerPoints, compelling evidence, and case studies are not convincing. Instead of useful debate, you get BOPSAT –…
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