Leadership

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From cringe to constructive: A guide to giving feedback that sticks

Julia Milner

Discover the top feedback mistakes managers make – and how to fix them for better results. Julia Milner reveals the four-step feedback framework you need  Can I give you some feedback? Employees often cringe when they hear these words. Want to avoid the cringe? Here are some tips on how to set employees at ease and ensure your pearls of wisdom, or just simple advice, stick.   Maybe it’s time you reflected on the four pillars of feedback and how often…

Young strong sporty fitness employee business woman corporate lawyer 30s in classic formal orange suit glasses work in office showing biceps muscles on hand isolated on plain beige background studio

Strengthening the backbone: Manager training is crucial for organisational health

René Janssen

Helping managers thrive is essential for team engagement and organisational success. René Janssen explains how comprehensive training provides the tools to address today’s challenges When you’re a manager, the pressure comes from all sides. Including balancing organisational goals, team dynamics and individual performance amid the complexities of modern work environments. These challenges tend to accumulate quickly and, if left unaddressed, can significantly increase the risk of burnout.    Investing in a manager is investing in the entire organisation’s wellbeing  Managers are…

Authors Camilleri, Rockey and Dunbar who wrote The Social Brain. Two females and a male standing in a library, smartly dressed, black and white photo.

TJ interviews: Authors Tracey Camilleri, Samantha Rockey and Robin Dunbar

Jo speaks with authors of The Social Brain about group dynamics, human connection and thriving together Training Journal to all: Why come together to write a book about the social brain, and what does that mean? All: We come from different disciplines (evolutionary psychology, corporate leadership and learning design). Throughout our careers the three of us have been interested in the same question: Why is it that some groups function as more than the sum of their parts – and other groups, however talented,…

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…

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Unlocking hope and belonging: The hidden keys to employee wellbeing and retention  

Brad Smith

The impact of hope, belonging and manager support in transforming employee wellbeing and mental health. Insights from Brad Smith  Research has shown that resilience offers organisations many competitive advantages. Highly resilient staff are much less likely to mention burnout, compensation, work-life balance, or lack of purpose as motives for quit intentions compared to their less resilient colleagues. Other psychological resources that can help buffer against such strains, and facilitate employee thriving, resilience and performance, are hope and belonging. These crucial yet…

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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…

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Maximise investment in your line managers with an enabling environment 

Steve Macaulay

Line managers are pivotal to business success – support them to boost performance and drive impact with these tips from Steve Macaulay and David Buchanan Why do line managers matter to L&D? Line managers create the environment – the resources and support that allow staff to perform their roles. But are we creating an enabling environment for line managers? Here is how L&D and HR can help.  Today’s line managers are your source of tomorrow’s top team   Your line…

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What is executive coaching and how does it differ? 

Zoé Lewis

Executive coaching is more than one-to-one support; it’s a game-changer that drives real business impact. Zoé Lewis explains  The phrase ‘coaching’ is used to describe a broad spectrum of services. From mentoring to training to working with teams, people have coaches for many different reasons. Coaching for business leaders has become more commonplace in recent years, and this has led to the popularity of executive coaching. But what really is executive coaching and how does it differ from ‘normal’ coaching? …

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Navigating and leading in the multi-generational workforce 

John Zettler

Teams with Boomers, Gen X, Millennials and Gen Z can thrive with the right strategies. John Zettler reveals how  In today’s workplace, leaders are faced with the unique challenge of managing teams comprised of individuals from multiple generations. With so-called Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials (Generation Y), and Generation Z all working side by side, leaders must adapt their leadership styles to accommodate diverse perspectives, preferences and work habits. Navigating a multi-generational workforce requires a nuanced approach that recognises the…

The Social Brain – book review 

Gaëlle Delmas-Watson

The Social Brain offers a fascinating exploration into the dynamics of group connectivity and leadership. Gaëlle Delmas-Watson reveals its invaluable insights for HR and L&D professionals    Book: The Social Brain: The psychology of successful groups  Authors: Tracey Camilleri, Samantha Rockey and Robin Dunbar Why read it?   I loved the title: The Social Brain! The book really unpicks the various elements that enable individuals to connect with a group. It is short, easy to read and snappy, combining well-documented academic research with…