Coffee briefing: Emotional learning, organisational psychology and motivating reluctant learners
A weekly roundup of L&D insights covering emotional learning, organisational psychology, coaching, and strategies for motivating reluctant learners alongside broader workplace and performance topics.
Change the Recipe for Success
When beloved changes happen without considering key stakeholders’ perspectives, the outcome can backfire dramatically. Learn how the Great British Bake Off’s move to Channel 4 shows why successful change requires buy-in from everyone affected, not just decision-makers.
Oh no! I hate role play!
Many learners dislike role play exercises in training sessions, despite their effectiveness for practicing skills. Discover why some participants find role play uncomfortable and explore strategies to help reluctant learners embrace this valuable learning method.
Five key steps toward creating a learning culture
Creating a learning culture requires organizations to move beyond outdated success formulas and embrace continuous learning across all levels. Discover the five key steps—starting with strategic hiring practices—to build a company culture that adapts quickly to market changes and drives innovation.
Unconscious Bias Training
Discover practical approaches to unconscious bias training and awareness-building strategies. Learn about the Implicit Association Tests and gain insights from professionals who have designed and delivered similar training sessions.
Culture and storytelling – learning a key lesson
Jerome Bruner’s pioneering work on spiral curriculum, scaffolding, and storytelling reveals how culture shapes learning and understanding. Through storytelling, we make the unfamiliar familiar, filtering our world through cultural narratives and shared experiences.
What does it take to motivate a TZ reader?
A survey about job boredom attracted 797 readers, but only 18 completed a three-minute questionnaire. The author explores what incentives might motivate higher survey participation rates.
In praise of procrastination: the good, the bad, the ugly
Procrastination isn’t always harmful—sometimes deliberately delaying tasks allows proper strategic thinking and priority management. Understanding when postponing is acceptable versus when it becomes a destructive habit is key to maintaining productivity and peace of mind.
Politician analysis: Donald Trump
Donald Trump’s rise as a 2016 presidential contender stems from his strong personal brand built through real estate empire, television appearances, and strategic self-promotion. However, his unfiltered communication style and controversial remarks raise questions about whether confidence crosses into self-aggrandizement and whether honesty without diplomacy ultimately damages credibility.
10 ways to build trust and rapport at work
Build workplace trust and rapport by respecting confidentiality, listening actively, following through on commitments, and admitting mistakes. These 10 practical strategies help create positive professional relationships and boost team productivity.
Is ‘sorry’ really the hardest word? Exploring the big effect of this little word
Sincere apologies can significantly impact workplace mediation and difficult conversations. An effective apology requires genuine empathy, acknowledgment of responsibility, and evidence of changed behavior—not just the word “sorry” itself. Understanding what people truly need from an apology can transform conflict resolution outcomes.
Eight ways women can get more career-savvy
Women often focus on doing their job well but overlook strategic career planning. Learn eight practical ways to become more career-savvy, including developing a clear strategy, seeking opportunities, building networks, investing in skills, and understanding how others perceive you.
Are you banking your knowledge?
A knowledge bank is a centralized web portal storing company documents, best practices, templates, and training materials that employees can easily access and reuse. This approach enables inexperienced teams to leverage accumulated organizational wisdom, saves significant time on recurring tasks like proposals and training, and prevents valuable knowledge from being lost when employees leave.
L&D experts – start the fight back in the wake of Brexit
L&D professionals must confront a growing devaluation of expertise in the post-Brexit era, where algorithms and social media create filtered worldviews that favor personal bias over evidence-based knowledge. The article examines how uncertainty and complexity demand stronger learning strategies, yet society increasingly dismisses expert insight.
The psychology of innovation
Understanding innovation requires more than strategic planning on paper—it demands a psychological approach to how people embrace change. Research shows that collaboration and social interaction drive intelligence and complex problem-solving, yet leaders must address the psychological barriers people face when stepping outside their comfort zones into innovation cultures.
Switching software suppliers/business systems?
Switching business software suppliers can feel daunting, but with proper planning and preparation, you can ensure a smooth transition. Learn essential tips for making the right decision and minimizing disruption during the changeover.
4 Ways to Engage Managers in eLearning
Engage managers effectively in eLearning by respecting their expertise, allowing autonomy over learning schedules, delivering information efficiently, and making content relevant to their leadership roles. These four strategies help busy professionals absorb training that motivates their teams and drives organizational success.
Leadership, bullfighting, the Pope & spectatorism
Spectatorism—the tendency to theorize and criticize rather than act—is a widespread modern problem. True leadership isn’t about what you say but what you do, as demonstrated by Pope Francis taking tangible action on the refugee crisis. Leaders must recognize that their behavior inspires commitment far more than their words.
It’s one thing to create a culture of innovation, but how do you sustain it?
Sustaining an innovation culture requires ongoing commitment to people-focused strategies, including reformed pay and reward systems that emphasize teamwork over individual metrics, and managed employee expectations as career advancement evolves beyond traditional linear paths.
Engaging your people in the innovation journey
Building an innovation culture requires engaging employees at all levels, not just leadership. With 72% of employees unclear on what innovation means in their organization, leaders must take an innovative approach to communication and involvement to drive genuine engagement and organizational success.