Intuitively, most of us know that praising people for what they’ve done well – as opposed to bawling them out for what they’ve done badly – is likely to result in a more motivated, engaged and productive workforce. But as the report (Strength-based Performance Conversations: an organisational field trial) points out, often our default setting […]
Let me ask you a question. Are you an ostrich or a magpie? I know what you’re thinking. But this isn’t some kind of wacky management training exercise, it’s a serious question about how open your business is to trying out new and different technologies and techniques. In a recent report, the CBI suggests that […]
I’m really looking forward to the next round of performance reviews – said no manager, ever. Endless form filling and the task of fitting appraisal meetings into an already packed diary can make performance management feel like a real chore. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Handled well, the formal appraisal is a […]
Performance management is high on the agenda for many organisations. In an increasingly competitive business climate, companies can’t afford to have ‘coasters’. They need their people to be performing at peak and agile enough to respond to new opportunities and shifts in the market. There is an increasing body of evidence that suggests the majority […]
How many steps have you walked today? Are you feeling smug having already clocked up the recommended 10,000 by lunchtime, or are you among the majority who only manage an average of 3-4,000 a day? The health benefits of walking are well documented. NHS Choices advise that stepping out on a regular basis can reduce […]
I’ve recently been involved in helping to organise an event which is being put on at extremely short notice. It will probably be alright on the night, but it’s been a stressful and not particularly enjoyable experience. All other work has had to be put on the back-burner, and everyone involved knows the final result […]
There’s a lot of advice out there about what HR people need to do develop the ‘rising stars’ of the future – but much less talk about how to deal with previously promising executives who have lost their sparkle. So I was fascinated this week to read about a new research project from London Business […]
Learning is fundamental to the growth and success of any organisation, and mentoring is increasingly recognised as an essential part of the mix. It’s a personalised, focused and frequently more cost-effective way to speed up learning, improve productivity and ensure important knowledge gets shared. There’s also a positive impact on employee retention and engagement – […]
The World Athletics Championship has brought the subject of succession planning into sharp focus, with some big names bowing out and several up-and-coming competitors finishing higher than ranked or expected. The resulting debate about the need to ensure a strong pipeline of talent coming through applies as much to business as it does to sport. […]
It’s a funny time of year. People are either on holiday, just back from holiday, or fed up because they haven’t had a holiday. The conversation in the office revolves around just how long the wait was at passport control and just how much rain there was in Cornwall. Everyone’s lost energy and focus, no-one’s […]
