Stop saying that! The dark side of the leadership soundbites
The reality of leadership is complex, and quick-fix slogans rarely account for the nuance of leading effectively. Here, Dani Bacon and Garin Rouch of Distinction Business Consulting, reveal five common yet harmful leadership soundbites – and what to say instead.
Feedback receptiveness: Why your constructive criticism isn’t landing
Even the most skilfully delivered feedback can fall flat if the recipient isn’t open to it. Here, Dani Bacon and Garin Rouch share guidance on how to cultivate feedback receptiveness – at both the individual and organisational level.
Four critical gaps in performance review training for managers
Leadership consultant Nik Kinley outlines four ways to make performance review training more effective for managers and their teams.
What managers need to STOP doing to become effective coaches
The biggest challenge for coaches in the making is not grasping new techniques, it’s letting go of bad habits. Coaching expert Matt Somers explores…
Onboarding: How Hertfordshire County Council sets new hires up for success
Did you know that up to 20% of new hires leave their job within the first 45 days? This costly turnover is often preventable – and one of the most powerful solutions is effective onboarding. Here, Aglaia Economou shares best practices from Hertfordshire County Council’s structured onboarding approach.
Can AI resolve employee conflict?
With the rapid expansion of AI technology, Anna Shields of Consensio considers whether it can help build conflict management skills.
Five dysfunctions of a team – and how coaching can help
What are the five dysfunctions of a team? And how can coaching overcome each of these? Coaching expert Matt Somers breaks this down – dysfunction by dysfunction.
Management development or expensive sheep dip?
Philippa Spratt asks organisations whether they give effective management development or simply ineffective sheep-dip training.
Leadership at every level: The three-tier open entry leadership programme
Hannah Gore explores how a three-tier open entry leadership programme could be the solution to all leadership levels.
How good are your listening skills?
Listening to your team can transform communication, build trust and improve leadership effectiveness. But only if you’re doing it well. Dani Bacon and Garin Rouch of Distinction Business Consulting share common barriers to good listening and how to remove them.
Resistance to change is your ally, not your enemy
Those who are resistant to your change programme are not the villains. Dani Bacon and Garin Rouch of Distinction Business Consulting share five reasons why resistors are, in fact, your friends.
Engaged managers: The secret ingredient to a happy workforce
New research shows manager engagement is critical to wider employee engagement. Cultural architect Chris Hardy offers five ways to equip managers with effective strategies to nurture high-performing, engaged teams.
Is our learning world really changing?
In the learning industry, there’s a gap between L&D programmes and their impacts that needs to be closed. But how? We need to do more to be led by the needs of each person and be clear on purpose and expectations. We need to act as true agents of change.
How to help your managers create psychologically safe workplaces
Ang Brennan, Head of Learning and Talent at Insights, explains how, by upskilling managers, we can create psychologically safe workplace environments that catalyse learning and innovation.
Four accountability traps and how managers can avoid them
Lack of accountability among team members can be frustrating for leaders and damaging for organisations. Dani Bacon and Garin Rouch explore common traps that undermine accountability and provide practical tips to avoid them.
How to build a business case for investment in L&D
Knowing how to build a solid business case for learning and development is vital for securing investment. Here are key considerations when looking to gain senior-level support for L&D initiatives.
Line managers: You shouldn’t have gone to Specsavers
Danny Wilkinson, Co-founder of Traction Coaching explores why it’s time for line managers to stop looking elsewhere and to take a good look at themselves.
Rip the band aid off: Have that difficult conversation
Nobody enjoys awkward conversations, but burying your head in the sand could be harming your workplace and your relationships. Here are some ways to navigate those difficult discussions.
Suicide awareness training: Six risk factors to pay attention to
Tragically, 6,000 people every year in the UK alone are being lost to something that is now widely described by expert clinicians as preventable – suicide. How can L&D professionals ensure workers are educated on the risk factors and extend a lifeline to those in crisis?
Nine things you need to know about mentoring in a hybrid world
Hedda Bird considers the best practices and challenges of mentoring in a hybrid world.
