How to be more resilient: Learning from Eusébio
The passing of footballing hero Eusebio not long ago has compelled sports psychology expert Joao Bocas to analyse his abilities off (as well as on) the pitch. Recently, footballing legend Eusébio passed away, but he left a rich repertoire of memories for football fans and society at large. He was not only a national icon, […]
Do your leaders know the importance of saying sorry?
A recent survey by the Forum Corporation revealed how leaders worldwide are struggling to say sorry when they make mistakes. Graham Scrivener looks at the survey's eye-opening results. Why does this matter? Because the same report [1] found a strong correlation between acknowledging mistakes at work and levels of trust in a team. A manager's […]
Critical thinking 101 pt2
In concluding this two-part article, we explore what it means to think critically and how it can benefit your leadership and your business. In another example, applying the critical thinking process to product development may allow for a more polished product. A company that markets to legal professionals, recognising that their customers are required to […]
Learning is up but the skills remain the same
An all-round increase in learning activity is changing the role of L&D, says Martin Addison of Video Arts. You’ve been busy – and we have the figures to prove it. Since 2009, the ‘Learning Index’ has looked at how you deliver training and your plans for the future. This year, two particular findings stand out. […]
Critical thinking 101
In the first of a two-part article, we explore what it means to think critically and how it can benefit your leadership and your business. The phrase 'critical thinking skills' is often heard in business circles or seen listed in job requirements and MBA program descriptions. However, it’s not always clear what it actually means. […]
The leadership trust gap [INFOGRAPHIC]
Leadership experts Forum recently provided us with this eye-opening infographic giving us some insight into the truth about our opinions of leaders – and their opinions of themselves. To read the accompanying news story click here Leadership experts Forum recently provided us with this eye-opening infographic giving us some insight into the truth about our […]
Challenging leadership: The uncomfortable debate zone
Ian Day and John Blakey continue their series on challenging leadership. This time the focus is on conflict. John Donne wrote the poem 'No Man Is An Island' which represents the truth of our connectedness. This is equally the case for leadership; the quality of relationships is crucial for individual and organisational effectiveness; we have […]
How to change habitual behaviour by remodelling your brain
Amy Brann offers insights on how to alter negative behavioural habits which can impact the morale, engagement and trust of the people you work with. As professionals, do we fully appreciate how tiny differences in our behaviour can have significant effects on others? Identifying and controlling behavioural habits can be crucial to harnessing the profound […]
Future leaders: Are you sure you know how to pick them?
Naysan Firoozmand looks at how businesses can develop – and retain – future leaders. Accurately identifying talented individuals, particularly those with leadership potential, is key to the long-term success of any business. What’s more, identifying staff members’ potential and working actively towards developing it, fosters higher levels of engagement and encourages greater loyalty. But all […]
The return of the manager [infographic]
We recently received this infographic from L&D experts Mind Gym, underlining the importance of a good manager. To download a copy of the accompanying whitepaper click here We recently received this infographic from L&D experts Mind Gym, underlining the importance of a good manager. To download a copy of the accompanying whitepaper click here
How your employees can become better gardeners: P2
Carrying on from Part 1 looking at sustainable ideas, here we look at more ways being a better gardener will help your new ideas thrive! Mighty oaks from little acorns grow Like every good gardener will tell you – you need 100% commitment to make and maintain a fantastic garden and ideas are no different. […]
Top 10 Inspirational Leadership Quotes
Use on training handouts, noticeboards, newsletters and campaigns. Here's our top 10 favourite leadership quotations………. “It is a terrible thing to look over your shoulder when you are trying to lead – and find no one there” FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT "It is better to lead from behind and to put others in front, especially when […]
Beyond SMART : The challenge of setting courageous goals
Ian Day and John Blakey continue their series on challenging leadership. This time the focus is on goal setting. Goal setting is a crucial part of any organisation. Goals provide clarity. When people have goals they have the focus to align action with corporate strategy. Many of us will be familiar with SMART goals (Specific, […]
An issue of trust
Ken Blanchard gives his opinion on the soft skills and leadership debate – with some interesting stats to boot. Ouch! It seems many of our workplaces, far from being the fair, nurturing collaborative environments they should be, are in fact hotbeds of mistrust and dishonesty. When I came across research suggesting only 20% of employees […]
Caption competition
We have a winner! Credit: iStockphoto/Thinkstock This month’s winning caption: ‘Rover was determined to make a dogs dinner out of this one!’ Congratulations to CazzyP who has won this month’s caption competition! A bottle of vino of your choice will be winging its way to you. In order to enter our caption competitions you need to […]
The importance of soft skills in leadership
Leaders don't need to worry about soft skills, right? Wrong. Fiona Lander elaborates. Technical know-how is all well and good, but it is emotional intelligence and self-awareness that will differentiate traditional managers from the star leaders of tomorrow. In recent years, there has been an influx of new leadership development methods; and it is no coincidence […]
A question of trust
Research shows that one in four employees don’t trust the senior leaders in their organisation. Dr Rena Rasch reveals the truth about trust and what leaders can do to improve it. Do your employees trust you? Perhaps you’ve never even been asked this question. However, it cuts to the heart of your working relationships and […]
What next for management training?
Stephen Walker takes a look at the development of management and the new skills needed in the immediate post-recession future. The art or science of management has developed over the last 200 years. Sun Tzu’s writing on how to manage a war is often included as an early example of management theory in 500BC, and […]
Can leadership be defined?
Al Gini and Ronald M Green give us a taster of what we can look forward to from their new book, 10 virtues of outstanding leaders. If you ask anyone interested or involved in business or politics to come up with a short list of leaders they admire, most people are readily able to do […]
How to delegate with the ‘loving boot’
Ian Day and John Blakey continue their series on challenging leadership. This time the focus is on delegation. In these tough economic times leaders need to adopt an approach that both supports individuals yet also challenges them to step up. Last month we introduced the concept of challenging leadership suggesting that a high support / […]
