Wordsmiths – Page 2 – Cube Learning and Development

January 12, 2024

The evolving landscape of leadership

The evolving landscape of leadership The dynamics of leadership have transformed over the last few decades. From the autocratic rule of the past to the collaborative and inclusive models of the present day, the evolution of leadership styles has been a remarkable journey. In this blog, we look at the shift from traditional management to the visionary leadership we see today. Command and control Let’s start with the Industrial Revolution and the 80s – an era dominated by leaders who wielded authority with an iron fist. It was a time […]

December 7, 2023

How to have difficult conversations with external stakeholders

In the world of business, having difficult conversations with external stakeholders such as clients or suppliers for example can be a daunting task. Whether it’s telling them they can’t have what they want or challenging a late payment, these conversations often put us on edge. But with UK businesses reportedly chasing around £50 billion in unpaid invoices, it’s time to develop the skills and assertiveness to address these issues directly. Here’s how… Eat the frog It’s important to acknowledge that difficult conversations with external stakeholders are often put to the […]

November 7, 2023

Tips for handling difficult conversations in the workplace

In any workplace setting, sooner or later, you’ll find yourself handling difficult conversations. Whether it’s addressing an underperforming team member, discussing a sensitive topic with a peer, or facing a managerial responsibility, these conversations are often the ones we’d rather avoid. They can make us feel uneasy and anxious, and even make us wish someone else would step in. If this is you, you aren’t alone. According to the ‘The Learning Habits of Leaders and Managers’ report, 50% of managers cited difficult conversations as the biggest challenge they face in […]

October 8, 2023

Mastering personal impact: The power of assertiveness

As we navigate our careers, how well we communicate, work together and express ourselves shapes our path. This blog dives into personal impact, spotlighting assertiveness and cooperation. We’ll look at common behaviours like aggression and passivity, see why they’re not ideal, and discover why assertiveness is the best way to communicate effectively. What is assertiveness? ‘Assertiveness is an honest and appropriate expression of your feelings, opinions and needs’ according to Hadfield and Hasson. It’s about standing up for yourself and your rights while maintaining an open and respectful attitude toward […]

September 8, 2023

Modern leadership: Mastering the art of influence and persuasion

In the world of modern leadership, mastering influence and persuasion sets great leaders apart. In this blog, we uncover the unique dynamics of influence and persuasion, exploring their crucial roles in effective leadership. Influence vs. persuasion What’s the difference between influence and persuasion? Persuasion can prompt someone into action or decision without necessarily securing their genuine agreement. In contrast, influence requires investing time in building trust as a foundation for inspiring action or decisions. It’s a process that involves earning authenticity. The three circles of persuasion So how do you […]

August 3, 2023

The power of assertiveness: learning to say no to your boss

The fear of saying no to our managers at work often weighs heavily on our minds. As employees, we strive to be liked, and seen as productive and valued team members, which can lead to a habit of saying ‘yes’ to every request that comes our way. However, constantly taking on more than we can handle leads to overwhelming workloads, increased stress, and less ability to prioritise effectively. In this blog, we’ll explore the importance of assertiveness and discuss strategies for learning to say no to your boss in a […]

July 6, 2023

Boosting team productivity: strategies for effective collaboration in the workplace

In the modern workplace, team productivity plays a crucial role in achieving organisational success. According to a survey conducted by McKinsey, highly collaborative teams are 20-25% more productive than their less collaborative counterparts. Effective collaboration and streamlined teamwork are vital components that contribute to a team’s overall productivity. In this blog, we’ll explore key strategies to enhance your team’s productivity both on and offline. Cascading team objectives Clear and well-defined team objectives serve as a compass for focused and aligned effort. Ensure that team objectives are communicated and cascaded effectively, […]

June 1, 2023

The power of marginal gains: small changes for long-term success

In today’s competitive professional landscape, achieving consistent and significant improvements in workplace performance can be challenging. However, by embracing the concept of marginal gains, you can unlock your full potential and achieve long-term success. In this blog, we’ll explore the profound impact of marginal gains, using real-life examples from renowned figures such as David Brailsford, Peter Bregman, and Hal Elrod. We’ll also share top tips for putting small changes into practice to enhance your performance. What are marginal gains? Marginal gains involve making small, incremental changes in various aspects of […]

May 3, 2023

How to stop procrastinating at work and get more done

We’re all guilty of putting things off or overthinking situations, but how do you stop procrastinating and get more done at work? First, we need to understand what procrastination is and why we do it. What is procrastination? Procrastination is a common problem, causing stress, anxiety, and often a sense of guilt. Dr Piers Steel, one of the world’s pre-eminent researchers on procrastination, defines it as ‘the voluntary postponement of an unpleasant task, often against one’s better judgement.’ If you spend your time dragging your feet and delaying the inevitable, […]

April 4, 2023

Four ways to enter a flow state of mind

If you’ve ever been completely immersed in a task or felt ‘in the zone’, its likely you’ve experienced a flow state of mind. You might have found this happens when you’re learning something new, being creative such as writing of painting, or taking part in a sport. Being able to harness a flow state of mind is an important productivity hack. Here’s what you need to know about it, so you can use it to your advantage. What is flow state of mind? Flow is a feeling of effortless focus […]

March 2, 2023

Prioritising your workload for personal effectiveness

With our fast-paced lives, prioritising your workload can help you be more efficient and achieve your goals faster. We often find ourselves juggling multiple tasks and wasting precious time on meetings that could have been an email. So how do you make more time for creativity and ultimately become more productive? Understanding the urgency and importance of tasks coming your way is the first step. Stephen Covey’s ‘Four Quadrants’ is a useful time management tool to help prioritise work tasks and identify those pesky timewasters. A matrix to prioritise tasks […]

February 9, 2023

The difference between pressure and stress for peak performance

We’ve all experienced pressure and stress within our lives, but what’s the difference, and how does this impact performance at work? It’s reported that one in 40 workers were affected by work-related stress, anxiety or depression in 2020 to 2021. That’s around 18 million working days thought to be lost each year because of these problems. A little bit of stress is good for people to perform and protect themselves, say the World Health Organisation (WHO), but too much stress can overwhelm them leading to a fight, flight or freeze […]

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