Blog: US election – The need for charismatic leaders during times of austerity
During times of economic austerity and organizational change, charismatic leadership becomes essential for building employee engagement and sustaining success. Drawing lessons from presidents who faced major crises, leaders must role-model organizational values and provide inspiring direction when employees feel anxious about uncertain futures.
Book Review: Lead with a story
Paul Smith’s “Lead with a Story” explores how storytelling has become essential for effective leadership and employee engagement. The book provides a practical framework for structuring business narratives, complete with templates and real-world examples, though reviewers note it’s heavily US-focused with limited appeal for international audiences.
Blog: CIPD 2012 – Impose company values at your own risk
Imposing company values from the top down often fails because employees find them forgettable and meaningless. Effective values should be co-created across the organization, contextualized beyond buzzwords, and reviewed as business environments change.
News: CIPD 2012 – ‘Employers must take more responsibility for skills development’
At the CIPD 2012 conference, government and skills leaders warned that UK employers must take greater responsibility for developing the next generation’s workforce. Structural skills gaps—including declining entry-level jobs and low apprenticeship uptake—require employers to invest in training, work experience, and youth recruitment to keep Britain globally competitive.
Talent Spot: Community blogger, Emma Littmoden
Emma Littmoden transitioned from a successful sales career at hygiene companies to becoming a trainer at leadership development provider The Living Leader. After experiencing their personal leadership program multiple times, she was inspired to join the organization and share its transformative approach with others.
Talent Spot: Louise Rooney, head of HR at ServiceSource
Louise Rooney, head of HR at ServiceSource, oversees rapid expansion at the UK-based IT firm, which has grown from 120 to 165 employees in less than a year with plans for 100 more positions. Her focus balances external recruitment with internal people development to support the company’s growth.
Talking Point: Is low staff turnover for losers?
Low staff turnover isn’t always a sign of success. While losing valuable employees is costly, very low attrition rates can indicate stagnation, low morale, and reduced performance. The key is understanding what “healthy” turnover looks like for your specific business needs and industry.
Blog: Did Man City’s Mancini display emotional intelligence?
Roberto Mancini demonstrated emotional intelligence by immediately taking public responsibility for Manchester City’s Champions League defeat to Ajax, shielding his players from media scrutiny. However, his blame-acceptance was somewhat diluted when he later mentioned the team’s missed chances, raising questions about the authenticity of his accountability.
Five tips for becoming a successful interim
Discover five essential tips for building a successful interim career, from choosing the right agency and role type to understanding tax implications and professional insurance requirements.
Christina’s Counsel: What can we do to motivate disaffected middle managers?
Middle managers struggling with motivation often lack decision-making authority and feel unheard by senior leadership. Addressing disengagement requires a holistic approach: empowering managers’ voices, evaluating organizational control structures, building transparent communication, and ensuring employees understand their role and value within the company.
The HRZone Interview: Jon Ingham on where HR is going wrong
HR consultant Jon Ingham argues that HR professionals risk losing their core purpose by prioritizing business credentials over their unique role in steering organizations toward people-centered working practices. He warns that excessive focus on employee engagement as a business tool misses the opportunity to fundamentally redesign organizations around trust, autonomy, and community.
In a Nutshell: Five tips to foster a change-friendly culture
Building a change-friendly culture requires strategic HR initiatives: restructure departments for flexibility, develop strong future leaders, ensure employees match their roles, adopt lean principles for bottom-up change, and maintain open communication about transformation goals.
HRD Insight: Allianz’s Philip Gennoy on aligning HR and business goals
Allianz Insurance’s HR director Philip Gennoy explains how to align HR strategy with business goals by balancing tactical day-to-day execution with long-term planning. He emphasizes breaking down master plans into practical steps—such as filling immediate vacancies and developing talent pipelines—to ensure HR directly supports corporate objectives.
News: Mobile commerce joint venture outsources HR
Project Oscar, a mobile commerce joint venture between Everything Everywhere, O2 and Vodafone, has outsourced HR functions to plusHR to quickly establish cost-effective operations. The London-based company, which enables smartphone shopping in stores, plans to grow from 40 to 150 employees within its first year.
Blog: Does Boris demonstrate the five fundamentals of leadership? Part 2
This analysis examines whether Boris Johnson demonstrates key leadership fundamentals, focusing on his ability to build support among peers and articulate a compelling vision for change. Using his Conservative Party conference speech as a case study, it explores how successful leaders enlist allies and communicate what will be different moving forward.
What political leaders can teach us about presenting
Political leaders demonstrate key presentation skills that senior executives can learn from, including authenticity, confidence, and audience engagement. This analysis examines how Nick Clegg, Ed Miliband, and David Cameron delivered their party conference addresses and what their techniques reveal about effective leadership communication.
How to recognise workplace bullying
Workplace bullying manifests through both overt actions like public criticism and covert tactics such as gossip, exclusion, or unreasonable demands. Recognizing these behaviors—including deliberate non-action and micromanagement—is crucial, as bullying can lead to resignations, health issues, and legal claims if left unchecked.
Blog: Remember your manners – The benefits of just saying ‘thank you’
Saying “thank you” is one of the most powerful tools in a leader’s toolkit, yet many managers overlook this simple courtesy. Expressing gratitude communicates that people are valued and appreciated, making it essential for building strong business relationships and creating respectful workplace cultures.
Blog: Eight tips for handling a ‘difficult conversation’
Learn eight practical tips for managing difficult workplace conversations, from thorough preparation and ensuring privacy to active listening and setting clear expectations for improvement. Managing these discussions confidently helps prevent minor issues from escalating into major problems.
Blog: The World of HR – Today’s frustrations, tomorrow’s dreams Part 2
HR departments will become leaner and more technology-driven, with administrative tasks automated through portals while HR shifts toward strategic business consulting and integration roles rather than traditional service delivery.
