Christina’s Counsel: How can I tackle my team’s habitual negativity?
A new manager discovers his team has developed a culture of habitual negativity and complaints. Learn practical strategies to address the negativity head-on while building a positive team culture through one-on-one conversations, reframing communication, and celebrating success.
Case Study: How Norfolk Council maintains staff morale despite tough times
Norfolk County Council maintains staff morale despite £135 million in budget cuts and nearly 500 job losses by prioritizing employee engagement and clear communication. Regular surveys and manager conversations help staff understand organizational changes, with 72-78% reporting clarity about the council’s direction and their role within it.
Quiz: How people-centred is your organisation?
Test your organisation’s people-centred approach with this quiz. Discover how well your workplace performs across eight key factors—from motivational leadership and shared values to empowered staff and continuous learning—that create a more efficient, successful culture.
Lembit Opik: How to navigate office politics
Office politics is inevitable in any organization where people interact, and rather than denying its existence, leaders should manage it positively to improve workplace effectiveness. By recognizing politics as how power operates daily, organizations can foster openness and use human dynamics constructively instead of suppressing them.
Relationship building – The power of feedback
Effective feedback is essential for building strong workplace relationships and driving business success. By learning to give and receive feedback constructively, you create trust and openness that enable game-changing conversations and improved team performance.
News: CIPD 2012 – ‘Contingency risk-based approach key to Olympics success’
London 2012’s HR success relied on a contingency risk-based approach that planned for every eventuality, according to LOCOG’s HR director. Early strategy setting, cultural values, and strong partnership working were key to managing both controllable and uncontrollable factors during the Olympics and Paralympics.
News: National Stress Awareness Day – 1 in 3 take “stress day” since recession
One in three UK workers has taken sick leave due to stress, with money, work, and relationships cited as the primary causes. Nearly half of workers have felt increased stress since the 2008 financial crisis, with job security concerns rising to 49%.
News: BBC to investigate harassment claims after journalist’s suicide
The BBC has appointed an independent investigator to examine whether it properly handled sexual harassment complaints made by journalist Russell Joslin, who died by suicide in October. His family claims the broadcaster failed to act on his harassment allegations, which Joslin himself blamed for his mental health deterioration before his death.
Living Leader Learnings: Do 360 degree feedback systems really work?
360 degree feedback systems can provide valuable organizational insights, but they work best when built on existing trust and open communication rather than used to artificially introduce feedback where cultural barriers exist. Without careful positioning and genuine commitment to dialogue, these systems risk becoming box-ticking exercises that miss their intended purpose.
News: Workmates more important than bosses for job satisfaction
A UK survey of 1,000 workers found that relationships with colleagues are far more important than connections with bosses for job satisfaction and productivity. Two-thirds of respondents would even reject a higher-paying job to stay with coworkers they liked and respected.
What risk type are you? And why does it matter?
Understanding your risk type—whether you’re “Wary” or “Adventurous”—reveals how you perceive threats and opportunities. Self-awareness about these differences is crucial for executives and managers, as misaligned risk perspectives can derail effective decision-making and damage working relationships in leadership teams.
Blog: Reshuffles – A matter of perception?
Cabinet reshuffles, like business team restructures, require balancing internal needs with external perceptions. Leaders must consider how organizational changes satisfy stakeholders while maintaining team performance and corporate objectives.
News: UK staff spend 24 mins bonding daily over a cup of tea
UK workers spend an average of 24 minutes daily bonding over tea, consuming about 46 million mugs per day according to a Travelodge survey of 5,000 employees. The research reveals tea breaks remain popular at 10am and 3pm, with most preferring builder’s brew, though office politics around tea duties can create tension among colleagues.
News: UK workplace relationships hit new lows
A UK survey of 1,607 employees reveals widespread workplace dissatisfaction, with 42% witnessing power abuse, 25% experiencing poor treatment for being different, and 10% taking sick leave to avoid bullying. Only 6% genuinely enjoy socializing with colleagues, indicating deteriorating workplace relationships and culture.
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.
Blog: Lessons from Olympians – How to compete and cooperate at the same time
The Olympics demonstrate how to balance individual competition with team cooperation. Learn how healthy workplace competition, like Olympic gymnastics teams, can drive innovation and engagement while fostering collaboration toward shared organizational success.
Blog: The 10 most effective ways to lose your team’s respect
Learn the ten critical leadership mistakes that damage team morale and undermine your credibility as a manager. This guide reveals common poor leadership habits—from overreacting and taking undue credit to punishing publicly and breaking promises—that erode respect and motivation in your organization.
How to tackle your first 100 days as HR director – Part 1
New HR directors face significant pressure to deliver results in their first 100 days. Success requires stepping back from immediate firefighting to create an intelligent plan that anticipates challenges, establishes clear priorities, and positions you as a strategic leader rather than a task-focused operator.
Blog: Five ego traits to drop if you want to become a better team player
Identify five negative ego traits—needing to be right, feeling entitled, gossiping, and others—that undermine teamwork. Learn how to recognize and overcome these behaviors to become a more collaborative and effective team member.
Ask the Expert: Can we recruit a leader if a team member is off sick?
Employers can recruit a team leader while an employee is on sick leave, but should communicate openly with the absent employee about the temporary nature of the role and ensure they have equal opportunity to apply for the position to avoid potential discrimination claims.
