The games at play in your company’s culture – and how to stop them
Since Eric Berne’s groundbreaking book Games People Play, leaders are more aware of the unconscious dynamics that influence the way people work together. In today’s context of hybrid working, multi-cultural teams and AI, are games still at play? If so, how do we spot them and what can we do about them? Ella Overshott, Partner at Pecan Partnership, examines these questions below.
Rethink performance: How overdone strengths cause teams to fail
The usual narrative on performance fails to account for the contexts in which people work, and results in unnecessary conflict and blame. Quentin Millington of Marble Brook looks beyond ‘development areas’ toward ‘overdone strengths’, to reveal how HR can shift the conversation for the benefit of all.
The QUIET Listening Framework: Talk less to achieve more
We’re conditioned to think influence comes from pushing our views. By choosing to be QUIET, we can transform the way that we lead.
Poor relationships: The real cause of growing disability disputes?
In the past year, Acas data shows that disability disputes have risen by 31%. How can HR address this? Paul O’Donnell, Managing Director of CMP, urges employers to look beyond the standard advice and get to the root cause of the issue – poor relationships.
Age discrimination or a polarising world? Four ways to tackle distrust and misinformation at work
A recent survey shows 90% of older workers experience workplace ageism, but other research reveals fear of discrimination spans all demographics. The real culprit? Growing societal polarisation, warns Blaire Palmer, CEO of That People Thing. Here, she outlines how to tackle this through transparency, bias awareness, and fostering cross-generational collaboration.
Interview: How Tesla’s former DEI director, Kristen Kavanaugh, chose courage over fear
Courageous leadership isn’t about saving the day. It’s about taking small steps to stand up for your beliefs, when retreating would be easier. In an interview with HRZone, Kristen Kavanaugh, former DEI director of Tesla, reveals her journey to resilience, her proudest moments at the automotive company, and how courageous leaders can respond to corporate pullbacks from DEI.
Productivity with purpose: How to reconnect a disengaged workforce
When workplace purpose is genuine – not just a mission statement slide – it is HR’s next best productivity tool. But what does ‘authentic purpose’ look like in practice? And how can you build it? Sanjay Lobo MBE, CEO of OnHand, will reveal all at the Culture Pioneers Leadership Forum 2025 on 16th October in London.
Five psychological safety challenges for hybrid workplaces
Building psychological safety is a complex venture for any organisation. But the very nature of hybrid work makes it even more difficult to foster. Here, Jacqueline Towers of Hubstar presents five common barriers to speak-up cultures in hybrid settings – and how to remove these through small changes to everyday behaviours.
Quiet cracking: A buzzword masking a mental health crisis at work
A ‘new’ trend has hit the workplace (and our Instagram feeds). But what does ‘quiet cracking’ actually mean? How does it impact performance? And is it actually new, or just an existing problem rebranded? Culture transformation expert, Deborah Hartung, uncovers what HR needs to know.
What the Capgemini tribunal teaches us about reasonable adjustments for neurodiverse employees
A recent employment tribunal has highlighted critical gaps in neurodiversity support. When Capgemini failed to implement key recommendations for an ADHD employee, the consequences extended far beyond legal liability. Phil Pepper, Partner at Shakespeare Martineau, explores what this case reveals about creating genuinely inclusive workplaces.
Performance reviews just got smarter: AI’s role in HR’s toughest process
What if your most dreaded HR process could become your most powerful? Bruce Walcroft from Betterworks reveals how AI transforms performance reviews by synthesising complex data, creating psychological safety, and delivering personalised coaching – turning annual anxiety into meaningful employee development that actually works.
Have you forgotten that you have two jobs?
Everyone has two jobs: the first revolves around tasks; the second, relationships. Ironically, the ‘people’ orientation of HR causes stress that renders the second role especially hard. Quentin Millington of Marble Brook outlines the value of relationship-building beyond KPIs and how HR might strike a better balance between its relational and functional duties.
AI mental health tools: Breakthrough or band-aid for employee wellbeing?
ChatGPT’s new mental health tools promise 24/7 support, but are they a breakthrough or band-aid? With workplace stress at crisis levels, AI offers tempting solutions – yet the risks of surveillance, poor-quality care, and organisational complacency are real. Dr Jo Burrell explores how to harness AI’s potential without losing the human touch.
Why 72% of employees don’t trust performance management – and how to fix it
Trust in performance management is at crisis point – with 72% of workers questioning their organisation’s processes. How can you rebuild confidence and unlock genuine performance? Gaelle Devins, Chief Customer Officer at Breitling, shares her research-backed approach to shifting from tick-box KPIs to people-centred metrics that actually drive results.
Augmented talent: Could AI skills reshape pay equity?
Two employees, same role, same pay – but wildly different output thanks to AI. While some workers harness these tools to supercharge productivity, others remain hesitant adopters. Here, Gethin Nadin of Benifex examines whether mastering AI should come with financial rewards – and what happens when we leave this transformation to chance.
Beyond the strategy deck: How HR can turn sustainability promises into action
Your sustainability strategy looks impressive, but are your people systems actually delivering change? Professor Matthew Gitsham from Hult International Business School explores the critical disconnect between organisational promises and performance – and shows you exactly how HR can bridge that gap through culture, capability, and leadership transformation.
Five barriers to good listening habits
Are you oblivious to your poor listening skills? Dani Bacon and Garin Rouch of Distinction Business Consulting share overlooked barriers to good listening habits and how to remove them.
Return to office: How not to upset almost everyone
With return-to-office (RTO) mandates back in the news, Quentin Millington of Marble Brook explains why there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ strategy for where to work. Here, he outlines eight questions HR leaders can pose to their organisations to encourage meaningful thinking, rapid decisions and practical action.
The silent culture killer that is impacting your talent
Nine in ten British employees are disengaged at work, yet, 80% of employees actually enjoy the work they do. So if their role isn’t the problem, what is? Sanjay Lobo, CEO of OnHand, highlights why lack of purpose is draining the spark from your teams – and three ways to turn this around.
The science behind what makes or breaks a team
Teams don’t fail because they lack talent – they fail because of invisible choices made every day. From the split-second decision to speak up or stay silent, to whether someone steps forward or holds back. Here, Perry Timms and Kirsten Buck of PTHR reveal the science behind what really drives team success.
