Workplace culture

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 9, 2022

The Thomas-Kilmann model for managing conflict – choosing the right conflict response

In the last blog, we discussed how conflict, if carefully handled in a timely manner, can actually be beneficial to businesses. (link – conflict is good) This time, we’ll focus on the Thomas-Kilmann model, which outlines a range of responses conflict can elicit in people and how managers can actively tailor their responses to be more appropriate – and ultimately more successful – in resolving the issue. If you’re dealing with conflict, you’re bound to have your own personal preferences for how you approach the situation. It’s important, though, to make […]

April 18, 2022

Conflict is Good

Conflict: how can it be a good thing? In May 2021, workplace expert Acas published a report which showed nearly half a million employees resign every year as a result of workplace conflict. It also revealed the potential for increased conflict as organisations try to adapt to changes after COVID-19. There’s a clear benefit to handling conflict early. Not least avoiding stress and impact on team morale. But unpick the problem, and you might find it’s productive and leads to positive change. Here’s why. How can conflict be a positive thing? Many […]

March 18, 2022

Difficult Conversations

How to handle difficult conversations Throughout our careers, we all experience those moments when we’re not happy with someone’s behaviour or performance. It’s easy to put off a difficult conversation. You could be worried about the other person’s reaction and how you might handle it. Or worse, you might convince yourself that ignoring it will mean the matter goes away. But if they aren’t nipped in the bud, issues can escalate, impacting others in the team or customers. How you have a difficult conversation can affect the outcome. So how […]

November 24, 2021

Reflective Questioning – what leaders should be asking themselves now

The pandemic has changed our working practices – perhaps forever. While some people have returned to the office full-time, many are continuing to work entirely from home, with others developing a hybrid arrangement of home and workplace. It’s a period of flux, but it’s also the perfect opportunity to reflect – not least about what we want from leadership. Sharing expectations Your organisation’s situation may be different now – the world around it has changed immeasurably. Objectives and goals may have shifted – and it’s also possible that your team […]

September 11, 2021

Workplace habits – adapting after the pandemic

If you have worked in an office during any part of your career, there are some things that are just comfortingly familiar, regardless of who you work for. Having someone else make you a brew as part of a round. Catching up with a colleague hogging the photocopier to pass the time until your printing is done. Shaking hands with your visitors as you welcome them to your site. But what happens when these corporate comforts are no longer appropriate? Alongside vaccination, social distancing and enhanced hygiene measures are still […]

August 26, 2021

Is work/life blend the better aspiration?

Is work/life blend the better aspiration? In our blog ‘The new normal’ we explored the immediate reactions that going back to work could cause. There’s a very real transition that many will need to make and it’s important to start preparing how you want to deal with this change. There’s also the long-game to think about. We’ve had almost 18-mths of more flexible, agile working that recognises outputs and delivery more than physical presence in an office. As a society, we’ve shown that we can change, quickly, and make it […]

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