Remote control: Managing remote workers
Remote working has grown significantly as technology enables flexible arrangements, but managing remote employees requires strong structure and communication. Employers benefit from cost savings and talent retention, while employees gain flexibility—yet success depends on clear role definitions, agreed working hours, and proactive managerial involvement to prevent isolation and confusion.
News: Development programme for council HR directors launched
A new national development programme for council HR directors launches this week, created by the Public Sector People Managers’ Association and the Improvement Development Agency. The tool enables HR practitioners to assess their skills against an ideal benchmark and identify professional development needs.
News: Free training for young leaders
Common Purpose is offering over 100 free places on its Frontrunner leadership development programme for young adults aged 18+. The residential course runs five times in 2009 across London, Glasgow, Leeds, Bristol, and Belfast, with application deadlines in April and July.
Diary: A tough start to the year
TrainingZone introduces a new team of member diarists sharing their professional experiences throughout the year. Our first diarist, L&D manager Nathaniel Wallace, navigates a challenging start as his third-sector organization faces restructuring and redundancies, testing his loyalty to staff.
A week in training: Free leadership training
Common Purpose offers over 100 free leadership training places through its Frontrunner programme for young adults in the UK. The residential courses run five times in 2009 across London, Glasgow, Leeds, Bristol, and Belfast, with applications open to those over 18 showing leadership potential.
Reflection as a leadership art
Reflection is one of the least practiced leadership arts, yet great leaders prioritize time for thoughtful contemplation. Through regular reflection on experience, leaders develop self-awareness, wisdom, and the personal power needed to inspire trust and create lasting impact.
One minute manager: An exclusive interview with Ken Blanchard
Ken Blanchard discusses his spiritual approach to leadership in an exclusive interview, emphasizing that effective leaders must balance profit with employee and customer care. He advocates for “leading at a higher level” by setting clear vision and valuing people alongside business success.
Your chance to quiz John Adair
Get a chance to ask John Adair, chair of leadership studies with the UN and author of over 40 books on leadership, your burning questions. Submit your query by Friday 6 February to leadershipzone@siftmedia.co.uk with “John Adair” in the subject line.
Leading in uncertain times; A free webinar with Ken Blanchard
Join Dr. Ken Blanchard for a free webinar on February 11 to discover how leaders can keep teams focused and productive during uncertainty. Learn strategies for maintaining communication, balancing results with people’s needs, and preparing your organization for future growth.
The biggest job in the world
When Barack Obama took office as the 44th US president in 2009, global expectations soared for solutions to major crises. This analysis examines the management and leadership skills required to succeed at the presidency, evaluating Obama’s early decisions and their implications for his success.
Should leaders keep away from playing politics?
Effective leaders must understand organizational politics and use influence to gain respect and loyalty. Rather than avoiding politics, successful leaders recognize that leadership inherently involves political dynamics and must navigate them skillfully to move people forward.
Managers see redundancy as ‘inevitable’
UK managers increasingly view redundancy as inevitable, with over 28% updating their CVs as job losses exceed 50,000 since January. A Chartered Management Institute survey reveals executives have shifted from job security concerns to active job hunting preparation, though some are using the economic downturn to reassess careers and develop new skills.
Is the recession hitting women harder than men?
While some assert the recession is hitting women harder than men, CIPD data shows men have lost significantly more jobs so far. Men account for 80% of job losses, with male employment falling 0.7% compared to 0.3% for women, suggesting claims of disproportionate female impact lack current evidence.
LeadershipZone: Blanchard, Adair and Buzan together
LeadershipZone, a new addition to TrainingZone, brings together three leadership experts: Ken Blanchard, John Adair, and Tony Buzan. Members can access exclusive interviews, reader Q&A sessions, and leadership seminars while staying updated through monthly bulletins on the latest developments in leadership studies.
Video: Sir Michael Rake – Setting the right tone at the top
Sir Michael Rake discusses how leaders must set the right tone at the top by living company values and leading by example to prevent unethical practices. As BT Group chairman, he shares insights on building a responsible business culture grounded in authentic leadership rather than empty rhetoric.
The language of leadership
Effective speaking can determine leadership success. Martha Leyton and Martin Shovel of CreativityWorks advise a CEO facing a potentially hostile audience to understand their perspective first, then share authentic insights about growing from a small organization to a national leader.
Barack Obama: The power & the glory
Barack Obama’s global appeal stems from his authentic character and transformational leadership style that emphasizes empathy, integrity, and shared purpose over ideology. His election inspired worldwide hope, but success depends on delivering tangible results as voters reassess their trust through real-world outcomes.
Setting aside childish things: A leader’s speech
Obama delivered a landmark speech calling for unity and hope amid economic crisis and war, proclaiming an end to partisan gridlock and petty grievances that have long hampered American politics.
L&D 2009: Survival of the fittest thinkers
Despite economic challenges in 2009, organizations must shift their approach to learning and development, prioritizing quality training and creative thinking over traditional methods. A survey shows 78% of employees believe new skills are vital during uncertain times, suggesting demand remains for high-impact learning programs.
Trainer’s Tip: Change management exercise
A simple change management exercise where participants are unexpectedly regrouped by colored cards, allowing them to experience how imposed change feels and explore their emotional responses and lack of control in the process.