Blog: Do jerks really make it to the top?
Research shows that while aggressive, intimidating leadership may help managers advance to mid-level positions, considerate leaders are more likely to reach CEO status. Successful top executives use influence rather than intimidation and balance competitiveness with genuine consideration for others’ development.
Infographic: UK workers lose faith in senior management
UK workers are increasingly losing confidence in senior management, according to new data. This infographic reveals declining trust levels among employees toward leadership and the key factors driving this shift in workplace attitudes.
News: HR ‘must find fresh ways of developing tomorrow’s leaders’
HR must move beyond traditional “sheep-dip” training to develop leaders with self-awareness, integrity and strong ethical principles needed for today’s knowledge-based economy, according to the CIPD.
Blog: Don’t be done yet – HR still has a lot of work to do
Three-quarters of the workforce shows signs of disengagement, yet employers continue paying for full effort while receiving only half. HR faces significant challenges addressing this “done-ness” trend and the productivity gap it creates in today’s uncertain economic climate.
Maximising your emotional capital
Emotional intelligence and employee engagement are key drivers of business success. Research from Gallup’s study of 47,000 employees across 120 countries reveals that companies with high engagement outperform competitors by up to four times on productivity, profitability, and retention metrics.
News: Govt plans to axe employer safety checks garner mixed response
The UK government plans to exempt low-risk businesses from routine health and safety inspections under new proposals, drawing both support from employers and concerns from safety professionals about reducing expert guidance and oversight.
An HRD’s guide to tackling pension auto-enrolment
HR directors must prepare for pension auto-enrolment by understanding the staged implementation timeline, selecting appropriate pension schemes like QWPS or NEST, and establishing robust business processes rather than relying solely on software updates to manage the administrative changes.
Talent Spot: Community blogger, Christina Lattimer
Christina Lattimer, owner of HR and leadership development consultancy People Discovery, has spent her career tackling people management issues. After working as a business manager in the Court Service for over 20 years, she transitioned to HR in 2002 and now helps managers develop better leadership skills through workshops and mentoring.
News: Sailors’ pay docked after £1.2m MoD overpayment error
Hundreds of Royal Navy sailors must repay a combined £1.2 million overpaid by the Ministry of Defence, with some facing up to four days’ pay docked monthly. The error affected 423 personnel placed on incorrect pay grades over several years, with individual overpayments ranging from £9 to £17,000.
Blog: Four leadership challenges faced by Barclays’ new CEO
Barclays’ new CEO Anthony Jenkins faces four major leadership challenges in an increasingly competitive banking sector, including volatility from supermarket competition, uncertainty about customer trust, complexity in business models, and ambiguity in strategic planning during regulatory constraints.
Providing operational leadership: The emerging role of the HR COO
HR business partners increasingly struggle to balance strategic responsibilities with operational demands. The emerging HR Chief Operating Officer role addresses this challenge by establishing operational stability and enabling HR to transition from a service function to a strategic business partner, particularly in complex organizations with divisional structures.
News: Half of HR departments will be restructured in next few years
Nearly half of organizations plan to restructure their HR departments in the coming years, with many adopting shared services models or outsourcing more activities. The shift reflects companies’ need to adapt HR functions to changing business requirements and invest in technology to improve service delivery and efficiency.
Blog: Organisational values – Actions speak louder than words
Organizational values must be lived and demonstrated through actions, not just stated in mission statements. When leaders like Tim Cook prioritize values over profits and genuinely embed them throughout operations, they attract talent, loyal customers, and community support—creating a competitive advantage that goes beyond any single product or patent.
Talent Spot: Carole Jones, acting group HR director at Aviva
Carole Jones, acting group HR director at Aviva, has progressed through various roles since joining Commercial Union 22 years ago to cover a maternity leave position. After careers in accounting, IT recruitment, and entrepreneurship, she learned critical management lessons that shaped her approach to leading HR in a large organization.
The HRZone Interview: Best Companies’ Wayne Clarke on engagement
Wayne Clarke of Best Companies discusses eight critical factors for employee engagement, including leadership quality, management effectiveness, colleague relationships, and personal growth opportunities. He explains how recession has forced many organizations into survival mode, but those thriving must prioritize clear communication and authenticity to rebuild employee confidence and engagement.
In a Nutshell: Five tips for creating a positive company culture
Creating a positive company culture starts with understanding employee values, communicating clearly with staff, and ensuring workers understand organizational goals. Additional key steps include reworking policies to support change and delivering on company promises to build trust and retain talent.
News: North Tyneside ditches shared services plans to save jobs
North Tyneside Council has abandoned shared services plans in favor of outsourcing to two private companies, aiming to save £47 million while protecting 360 jobs. Balfour Beatty and Capita Symonds were selected as preferred bidders to manage various council services over a ten-year period.
Blog: Communication is the essence of good leadership
Effective communication is essential to strong leadership. Leaders who ignore team input, play favorites, or fail to acknowledge contributions create disengagement, turnover, and damage organizational culture. Poor communicators cannot truly lead.
How to tackle your first 100 days as HR director – Part 2
Succeed in your first 100 days as HR director by identifying clear strategic priorities. Break this into three steps: envision a two-year tenure, agree on 12-month business priorities with stakeholders, and write a detailed 100-day plan to maintain focus and achieve measurable outcomes.
How to get ahead in HR
HR professionals can advance their careers by developing strong business partnership skills, building relationships with senior leaders, and demonstrating strategic value to the organization. Key competencies include leadership, communication, self-motivation, and the ability to work under pressure while serving as a trusted advisor to management.
