NEWS: Leadership critical to public sector managers
A new survey has revealed that public sector managers view leadership as more important than ever since the onset of the downturn. Research by occupational psychology firm Mendas found that over 70% of managers consider the demonstration of leadership qualities as more important than before the recession. The findings also indicate that other the ability […]
And the winner is…
A big thanks to everyone who entered our recent caption competition. Suggestions have been of a particularly hilarious standard… Unfortunately there can only be one winner, one lucky person who will walk away with a place on Pinna’s Manager as Coach course, worth a whopping £1,200!Congratulations to Garry Damant. His suggestion, “Don’t cry Vladimir, I […]
Leadership in tough times
Using John Adair’s three circle model of action-centred leadership, Ian Williams looks at the traits needed to provide leadership in a downturn. The current challenging economic climate is a great time to test the strength of your leadership in business. It really does sort out the capable and resilient from those who simply give up […]
Leadership Course – contributors wanted
Hi – I’m a training manager at a medium sized independent hospital in York called the Retreat. We’ve just launched a leadership development programe and looking for suitably experienced and stimulating presenters to co faciliate towrads the latter half of the programme from July – Oct.Topics include – managing change, dealing with conflict, motivation staff, […]
Diary: Live and die by the board
Sometime jester, sometime mentor, sometime threat. Nathaniel Wallace finds himself with a tricky juggling act as he tries to court the attention of the board. If there is one lesson that has been sent down to me by the high priests and priestesses of learning and development, which I have sought to take heed of […]
The Obama effect
Barack Obama’s upbeat messages of ‘hope’, ‘opportunity’, ‘change’ and ‘yes we can’ have swept him to the White House amidst a mood of euphoria. His ascent from unknown congressman to a beacon of progress and optimism to the world offers a wealth of lessons for the business world – particularly in today’s brutal climate. John […]
The language of leadership
The ability to speak well can mark the difference between leadership success and failure. Martha Leyton and Martin Shovel of CreativityWorks specialise in helping people in leadership roles become inspiring speakers – and they’re here to answer your questions. Q: As a director, I have to do a lot of public speaking, and although […]
Spraying the message: The Garry Ridge interview
Leader extraordinaire Garry Ridge, president and CEO of WD-40 Company, shares his thoughts about learning organisations, his leadership model, and companies as tribes – and offers to answer your leadership questions! Based in California, Garry Ridge is a leader of a global company with a difference. With his colleague Ken Blanchard, he is an original […]
Spotlight: We shine the light this week on John Blakey
John Blakey reveals his innermost thoughts about coaching – the need for coaching to ‘grow up’ and the exciting, transformative times he sees ahead for the industry. Name: John BlakeyAge: 45Job title: Managing director of 121partners and president-elect of the UK International Coach Federation. I co-founded and help lead 121partners, a leadership transformation consultancy that […]
Keeping the virtual team spirit alive
Travel bans induced by the credit crunch mean that virtual teams may find it tough to meet in person these days. Pradip Gajjar considers two important strategies to ensure team alignment during these turbulent times. A real scenario: A client wants to run a team-building programme for one of their virtual teams. They want to […]
A week in training: Leadership development strong despite downturn
This week: Leadership development looks strong despite the downturn, writes Claire Savage the CBI calls for more internships to get the class of 2009 fit for work, BILD announces its conference programme, and more news in our weekly round-up. Employers prioritise management and leadership training to survive recessionTraining and developing staff remains an important priority […]
The case for leadership development in tough economic times
In today’s tough times, well-run organisations are focusing more heavily on leadership development than ever before. And according to Josh Bersin there are three major needs that are leading to this push. We all realise that times are tough for learning and development managers. Our January TalentWatch research of 275 global corporations showed that 61% […]
Show us the way
Recession spreads fear and fear fuels recession. Stephen Walker looks at leaders’ need to communicate with confidence in times of turmoil. I make no apology for bring the ‘R’ word into the TrainingZone again. We are all affected by the recession. It is uppermost in our minds. No doubt there is a general decline in […]
Coaching alpha males
Think ‘alpha male’ and do you see an inspirational, decisive leader, or a bullying chest-beater? Dr Ho Law addresses the common weaknesses of so-called alpha males and how coaching can help. What do the international executives and many charismatic political leaders such as the former British Prime Minister Tony Blair have in common in terms […]
Video: Professor Cialdini turns his persuasive skills to training
Master of persuasion Professor Robert Cialdini discusses why UK businesses need to improve skills training.Prof Cialdini, author of Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion, says that businesses that continue to invest in training during recession fare better during the downturn and eventual upswing. Master of persuasion Professor Robert Cialdini discusses why UK businesses need to improve […]
Ken Blanchard answers members’ questions
Ken Blanchard, of One Minute Manager fame, generously answered a selection of members’ questions after our interview with him appeared on site. Here’s what the chief spriritual officer has to say about the leadership ‘faith’, and how to put the head, heart and conscience back into leadership… stirring stuff! Tom Boydell asked:I’m interested in a […]
Video: Sanjiv Ahuja – leadership is not a popularity contest
Effective and decisive leadership will mean making unpopular decisions at times – so don’t confuse popularity with making the right choices! Ultimately, if you make the correct decisions, people will respect you anyway, says Sanjiv Ahuja, the chairman of Orange UK.Listen to his thoughts on the popular ‘myth’: ‘ You have to have buy in […]
Is entrepreneurial leadership the way out of global recession?
Can all our problems be solved by entrepreneurs? Should we prioritise the creation of an entrepreneurial infrastructure? Patrice Houdayer, the dean of the international business school in Lyon, France explains the importance of entrepreneurial leaders – and the 10 pitfalls they must avoid. As economic doom and gloom continue to sweep the globe, it seems […]
Review: Taming Tigers by Jim Lawless
Title: Taming TigersAuthor: Jim LawlessPublisher: Taming Tigers PublishingReviewer: Bob Selden The last self-help guide book I read was almost 20 years ago. I got sick and tired of the same old things being said in slightly different ways. So, I was a little apprehensive when asked to review Taming Tigers by Jim Lawless. Always up […]
To agree, or not to agree: How to improve team decision making
Businesses are suffering from poor decision making, says Clive Lewis. He highlights the perils of allowing the loudest people to get their way, and describes how consensus decision making can harness the collective creativity of teams. Majority decisions may have the illusion that we are getting on with the job, but in reality it often […]