Decisions, decisions
Decision making is the hallmark of a leadership. Years of experience, expertise and accrued knowledge are channeled into answering questions that can have a massive impact on people and profits, so it’s important to know which approach to use. Primarily, you need to identify the type of decision that needs to be made and the […]
How to run a family business without ruining relationships
Around two third of businesses in the UK are family owned, and while looking after your own is an admirable quality, working with people you also spend much of your life with doesn’t come without its problems. Having some boundaries and clear guidelines can help to overcome some common issues. First of all, there needs […]
Multitasking – or just spreading yourself too thin?
When you become a manager, your other responsibilities don’t disappear overnight. Parent, carer, school governor, part-time student… we all wear many hats. Knowing which one to wear and when is a skill in itself, and it’s an essential element of leadership. When you get to a managerial level, you have to look at all your […]
Lacking motivation? Maybe you need to move on
We’ve made it through the season of goodwill, and now we’re in the realm of forced optimism. The start of the year brings with it the inevitable positive resolutions, super-boosted this time around by a whole new decade to look forward to. But what happens if you’re not resolute, but simply filled with dread at […]
Why company culture matters in even the smallest of enterprises
In small businesses, particularly those in their infancy, people often take on multiple roles with little room for manoeuvre. With one eye always on the bottom line, it’s understandable that owners are loathe to introduce policies and procedures that will eat into time which is already very tight. But when it comes to creating a […]
Are you communicating effectively?
A client came to me recently with an issue about a senior member of the team who was an expert in their role, but not performing effectively within the team. It was an issue that had escalated to the extent where the employee had become upset and was on the verge of giving notice. It […]
Exercise your brain to unlock career potential
Every organisation I work with has a strong focus on wellbeing. From proactive encouragement of employees to take regular exercise to supportive attitudes to mental health, I see many positive initiatives. However, one area which doesn’t always receive the attention it’s due is the development of the brain. Of course, training and qualifications all lead […]
How young people drive ethical business practices
All organisations should be aware of the changing needs of younger generations, and this includes having an ethics strategy and ethical policies that take into account diversity and sustainability. It’s becoming increasingly important in terms of talent retention as well as consumer choices – younger generations in particular place a lot more importance on the […]
How to give feedback
Giving feedback is an essential element of any position of authority. Whether you’re CEO, line manager of a shopfloor team or a sole operator with hired help, you need to know how to give constructive feedback that allows people to develop, rather than stifling their autonomy. The main thing with feedback is it has to […]
Addressing automation
An increasing number of roles are being automated, and it’s something that affects all sectors. According to recent figures from PWC, up to 1.5 million jobs are being automated every year, with 30% of all jobs at risk of automation by 2030. This rises to 44% for jobs performed by workers with low education being […]
Employee engagement, and how to approach it
Engagement can’t be viewed in isolation – it must be part of an organisation’s culture. Leadership style, inclusivity, valuing diversity and strengths-focused performance management are essential elements which must be strategically addressed to maximise engagement. Technology has a place, but engagement can’t be pinpointed to a paper exercise or a digital survey. Ensuring there is […]
It’s time to overhaul performance processes
Traditional performance management processes aren’t fit for purpose. Yearly and half yearly appraisals of performance against business objectives that are fixed once a year are redundant – what business realistically stays the same all year round? Even without mergers and acquisitions, there are too many variables for a business growth plan to remain valid for […]
Make your contractors part of your team
The gig economy is notoriously skewed towards the employer at the expense of the employee, shifting business risk onto those who can least afford it. But if it’s simply not viable to take on an employee or team full-time, that doesn’t mean the individual has to have a raw deal. There are many reasons why […]
For shady operators, there’s nowhere left to hide
Twenty years ago, organisations’ communication with the public and potential employees was a one-way stream. They would send out corporate announcements and press releases by post or fax and expect them to be accepted at face value. And, unless a particularly persistent investigative journalist was about to expose criminal wrongdoings, they were accepted thus. When […]
Agreeing to disagree: the art of healthy conflict
Disagreements are a part of life, but they don’t need to be confrontational. Learning how to engage in healthy conflict allows you to look at the pros and cons of a situation with an open mind, and results in better solutions. I had a conversation yesterday with someone who has a challenging relationship with his […]
Keeping up with the consumers
Consumer behaviour has changed in recent years, and it’s important to keep up with expectations. People are moving away from the high street in favour of online shopping for products and services, and this is a trend which is likely to increase. Consumers are spending an increasing amount of time browsing lots of different websites […]
Succession planning and planning for success
Succession planning always has and always will be an essential element of any organisation which wishes to remain viable. We will always need HR directors, finance experts, sales and marketing managers and those who excel in client relationships. Rather than constantly looking for new ways to re-invent the wheel, what we need to address is […]
Agility: the essential skill for leadership
The question I am asked most by aspiring leaders is which skill is the most important to develop. The answer, without a doubt, is agility. We are in an age where a multi-generational workforce has vastly different backgrounds, and at a time when people are working and living longer than ever before. People in their […]