2050 – Living in the algorithm era…

2050 is not that far away from us. Barely three decades… (Still remember the 90’s, right?) Of course, it is impossible today to precisely depict what our future will look like 30 years from now. But there are at least 2 facts that we can now take for granted: #1- First, the world population will […]
Five ways to have better conversations

While technology and management styles have been transformed over the past hundred years of working together in formal environments like offices, our ability to have ‘good’ conversations is stuck in the past. It’s important because businesses don’t just depend on the quality of their people – they depend on them communicating. Workplaces continue to involve […]
Mindfulness for trainers: the practice of pausing

In part seven of this content series on how to become a mindful trainer, Kay Buckby, Facilitator at The Mindful Trainer, explores the benefits that pausing can bring to our fast-paced lives. “I have so much to accomplish today that I must meditate for two hours instead of one.” Mahatma Gandhi Wise words from a great […]
How physical intelligence can benefit employees in the workplace

We’ve heard a lot about emotional intelligence, but now it’s time to discover how physical intelligence can transform our careers and business outcomes for the better. Authors of new wellbeing book Physical intelligence, Claire Dale and Patricia Peyton, shed some light on this emerging skillset. Physical intelligence is the ability to detect and actively manage […]
Holistic learning: engaging the mind in learning

How to create learning experiences that mentally engage learners to generate changes in the brain.
2050 – Living in the algorithm era…

2050 is not that far away from us. Barely three decades… (Still remember the 90’s, right?) Of course, it is impossible today to precisely depict what our future will look like 30 years from now. But there are at least 2 facts that we can now take for granted: #1 – First, the world population […]
Book Review – Learning Transfer at Work

Learning Transfer at Work by Paul Matthews is a look I definitely recommend to every learning and development practitioner who wants to improve the effectiveness of their l&d interventions. Three chapters into the book I was already sold on the importance of learning transfer and why we need to take it very serious. Accoring to […]
Lessons in management: we asked some senior leaders what their first-time mistakes were

No one goes into a leadership position fully prepared for the role – there are always learning curves and things you pick up along the way. Here, we talk to senior leaders about their formative experiences and what they wished they’d known when starting out. When it comes to pivotal points in your career, being […]
Learning transfer: why L&D cannot beat the system and effect change through training alone

An unhelpful myth that high-performing organisations are simply made up of talented individuals is preventing L&D from better supporting their learners. Sustaining positive change post-training is a tricky feat if organisations aren’t recognised to be systems embedded with deeply ingrained cultural nuances, processes, strategy and hierarchies that may need to be combated at times. Great, I thought, […]
Analysing an emotional reaction during a training session

When conflict arises during training sessions, your initial reaction might be to shut down the other person immediately – but taking time to analyse their reaction can provide a greater learning experience for both parties. A few years ago, I was hired by a company to help them through a TUPE transfer (Transfer of Undertakings […]
Problem solving techniques: creative options for trainers and facilitators

As trainers, our job isn’t to solve an organisation’s problems, but rather to give teams the tools to solve any issues themselves. Therefore this article will provide some techniques to help get people thinking differently and collaborating better. As leadership and management become more focused on collaboration rather than command and control, it’s essential that trainers […]
13 Qualities of Effective Career Conversations

It’s a sad fact that people can often identify memorably bad career conversations more easily than effective career conversations. Particularly if one was of significant positive value to them Like that time at the end of a not particularly glowing performance appraisal when your boss asked you where you wanted to be in 5 years. […]
Creating a culture that values learning: how to avoid training cancellations

Participants cancelling their attendance at training sessions is not only inconvenient and costly, but it often points to a larger problem in the way an organisation approaches learning. Here, we look at the key issues and how to overcome them. Executives in your company say, ‘we must get management training going on this organisational change straight […]
Learning culture: the benefits of continuous learning at work

How can you create and nurture a learning culture in your organisation and secure buy-in from your team? Businesses are now recognising the need for workplace learning and are creating more opportunities for continuous development, leading to better performing employees and higher performing teams. Unfortunately, with the ever-increasing pressures on business to meet deadlines and […]
Dodging Real Learning

The funfair has arrived in town, an event that still gives me a fission of excitement every year. Which is odd, because I hate almost all fairground rides – mainly because I’m scared of heights and, in particular, terrified of falling from them. However, there is one ‘ride’ I love. (When the funfair made its […]
What’s aspiration and what’s bullying?

There’s a thin line between a high-performance workplace with high expectations and an organisation poisoned by bullying. It’s a line that’s getting thinner with the intensification of 21st century working (via IT, always on working and use of performance targets). As Amnesty International has found in recent months, getting the balance wrong has serious consequences. […]
Learning at work: the three barriers that limit learning potential

Why are some people open to learning while others, in similar organisations/roles, are completely closed off from it? There are three main barriers that leaders need to overcome to turn employees from sceptics into learning enthusiasts. I have always been fascinated by the way in which some teams and individuals demonstrate a real openness to learning whereas […]
Do we always need learning analytics – or is gut instinct a valid approach?

Learning analytics is essential to assessing the impact of L&D solutions on the performance of both learners and the business. But is there a time and a place for going with gut instinct too? In my opinion, before any major learning programmes take place, data should be collected to inform any decisions about the actions that […]
Business after Brexit: four leadership lessons for uncertain times from military and sporting heroes

The tumultuous trading environment that Brexit has created means strong leadership is more important than ever before. Business leaders should look to the worlds of sport and the military for lessons on how to keep a level head in times of uncertainty. It is a difficult time to be a business leader and, as Brexit […]
The science behind what keeps us stuck in unhelpful habits

How often do we get caught up in unhelpful habits, whether it’s getting so busy with our workload that we don’t allow time for bigger picture thinking, or overlooking new ways of working as we prefer the comfort of how we’ve always done it? To unlock the capacity to make lasting changes to daily habits […]