How to turn conflict-avoidant managers into conflict-competent managers
It’s an ongoing issue in the workplace. How do you address conflict? Alex Efthymiades extols the virtues of conflict management training. Given the ongoing economic uncertainty, it is no surprise that workplace conflict is on the increase. The threat of redundancy and restructuring, real or perceived, deeply unsettles and creates tension in the workplace. Issues […]
Soft skills and engineers: Google’s Project Oxygen pt2
John Sadowsky concludes his feature about a recent project at Google that highlights how soft skills can influence managerial style across an organisation. In their bosses, do engineers value soft skills more than hard technical knowledge? It was in a second phase, when the Project Oxygen team began ranking the eight elements by level of […]
Soft skills and engineers: Google’s Project Oxygen pt1
John Sadowsky turns to a recent project at Google to highlight how soft skills can influence managerial style across an organisation. As someone who has consulted for numerous high-tech companies and who has taught business students and engineers the past two decades, I read with considerable interest an article in the New York Times in […]
Continual learning + talent pipeline = organisational development
Tim Taylor is putting the OD ball squarely in the court of leadership. Leaders have a crucial role to play in creating a talent pipeline to enable a flow of talented and skilled managers to reach the upper echelons of an organisation. Research conducted by the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) found that only […]
Why are managers so bad at managing?
Ever wondered how – and why – some people made it to management level? Peter Hunter looks at the history of a constantly developing discipline. The answer to the question lies in an appreciation of the way that both the workforce and management have changed in the relatively short time since both concepts have existed. […]
Sustaining behaviour change: Crucial for business
Graham Scrivener tells us how to make the most of our learning events, long after they finish. Behaviour change is crucial to business change. In fact, according to research by the Economist Intelligence Unit, behaviour change in the organisation is “the most important measure in determining the success of a change initiative.” However, according to […]
The missing link between e-revolution and learning in a global workplace
Armin Hopp looks at the key issues to consider when implementing a training strategy for global organisations with multi-lingual needs. The recent mergers and acquisitions activity in the learning space signals the start of an e-revolution, with large vendors moving towards the cloud at lightning speed. The shift began in December 2011, with SAP announcing […]
Medal-winning management pt2
Julie Wales concludes her look at why business leaders aren’t following the Olympic example to ensure winning performances for themselves and their teams. Staying focused Not only did this summer’s athletes qualify for their events as a result of putting in the hours, weeks and years to achieve their ambitions, they also had the mental […]
Medal-winning management pt1
With many Olympic and Paralympic athletes extolling the virtues of sports psychologists to help enhance performance and focus the mind, Julie Wales asks why aren’t all business leaders following their example to ensure winning performances for themselves and their teams? Mind and body The recent buzz around the Olympics and Paralympics cannot have failed to […]
Should line managers coach?
Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should. Robin Hoyle trains his sights on line managers. Whenever I write about line managers being crucially important to effective L&D (which I do, often) I fall into the trap of describing the role I want them to take as being a coach. A few recent experiences have […]
TNA – or Training’s Needless Activities pt2
Robin Hoyle concludes this focus on the shortfalls of Training Needs Analysis and what we can do about it. There’s the secret – the ability to observe someone doing something and recognise the essential activities, skills and behaviours which define what good looks like. I was team training with a colleague some years ago. At […]
TNA – or Training’s Needless Activities pt1
As part of our monthly theme, Robin Hoyle focuses on the shortfalls of Training Needs Analysis and what we can do about it. Training Needs Analysis. Sounds like a good idea – you check out what skills you need, assess your workforce, define the gaps and deliver some programmes to meet the requirements. Easy. What could possibly go […]
Ideal length of management training programmes?
Hi We currently offer day long management workshops, part of an overall programme that managers dip in and out of. A colleague has proposed that we instead offer a 3-5 days long combined workshop as these are more effective. Aside from the issue of whether a workshop is the most effective means of learning :-), does […]
Trainers Tip: Harness the power of your network
As part of our March theme, 'out of the office', Judith Perle extols the virtues of networking, not least for all you freelance trainers who are out and about. Academics aren't known for agreeing with each other. Yet researchers from top institutions around the world agree on at least one thing: building a strong network […]
360 Degree Feedback Tools: Then, now and the future
Lumus’s David Cooper carries on his analysis of 360 feedback tools by looking at their evolution, and how to get the most out of them in future. Back then 360 degree feedback (or 360 assessments/ reviews) have their early roots in the evaluation of US Soldiers in the First World War and have been […]
Perfect practice makes perfect
Eddie Kilkelly, chief operating officer at ILX Group, examines the advantages that APMP can bring to project managers and how it provides the skills needed to allow candidates to demonstrate knowledge of all elements of project management. Many HR and training managers are under the illusion that project management process training and accreditation will deliver […]
Trainer’s Tip: Masterclass – getting 360 right
Lumus’s David Cooper provides the community with this month’s Trainer’s Tip – a thorough analysis of how to get the most of 360 feedback. Lumus’s experience over the last 12 years shows that whilst many organisations embark on the 360-degree feedback journey, few manage to really maximise the opportunity. The following guiding principles for successfully […]
Britain can’t afford to become a nation of ‘accidental’ managers
Are you in a management position at work? Mary Clarke gives the community some words of advice on how to maximise your influence and ability as a manager, even if you became one by accident. With the Eurozone crisis deepening daily and with widespread predictions of the UK returning to recession, UK companies are facing […]
Putting the professional development of project managers under the microscope
Dr Ian Clarkson, head of project and programme management at QA, examines whether further professional development could make the difference on an individual and organisational level. The discipline of managing projects is better served by the training industry than at any previous time. There is a fantastic choice of training available for a wide range of […]
Putting leaders in the driving seat
Defining good leadership in an organisation the size of the NHS can be tricky. Pippa Cronk of Right Management tells the community about the new 360 feedback tool that will make this easier. The quality of leadership can make the single biggest difference as to whether organisations are high performing or not. Leadership is especially […]