Introduction Listening is one of the most essential – yet often overlooked — skills in both professional and personal life. It’s not just about hearing the words someone says, but about truly understanding their message, intent, and emotions. Whether you’re a manager, team member, or friend, good listening can build trust, reduce misunderstandings, and improve outcomes.…
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Every Customer Counts – How Your Organisation Can Support Vulnerable Customers
Customers can become vulnerable for a wide range of reasons. These vulnerabilities may be temporary or long-term, and not everyone will feel confident or able to disclose their situation. Understanding the types of vulnerability your customers may face is the first step to providing meaningful support. Common Causes of Vulnerability Health issues – including physical…
Ten steps to deal with difficult behaviour at work
Dealing with difficult behaviour at work can be challenging but, with the right approach, managers can effectively navigate these situations. Here are ten great tips for managers: Stay calm and objective: Difficult people may try to provoke a reaction. Stay calm, composed, focused, and objective in your interactions. Remember, emotional reactions can escalate conflicts. Listen…
Why it is hard to listen and what you can do about it
Listening is an essential skill for building strong relationships, fostering understanding, and navigating the complexities of communication. However, many of us struggle with truly listening to others. Various obstacles, such as assumptions, biases, the need for control, distractions, and ego, can hinder our ability to fully engage in conversations. In this blog, we will explore…
Fueling Success in the New Year
A Manager’s Guide to Setting Goals, Fostering Collaboration, and Investing in Team Growth The start of the New Year is a good time to set out your thoughts and ideas for the forthcoming year and to communicate them to your colleagues. With that in mind, here are three key points for managers to kick start…
Fear of appraisals
Understanding issues and overcoming them The appraisal interview can be summarised as a review of performance to date and a discussion about the future in terms of potential and development needs. So, like the Roman God Janus, it has two faces, one to look at the past and one to the future. While performance appraisals…
The Dual Benefits of Performance Appraisals
Empowering both Managers and Employees In any organisation, the performance appraisal process serves as a crucial mechanism for assessing employee performance and driving organisational success. While often seen as a routine formality, performance appraisals offer many advantages, not only for managers but also for the employees. Let’s take a look at the benefits that this…
Do you take minutes at meetings?
Let me show you a simple way to create an impact in your business productivity By taking minutes in meetings, you will capture the essence of who said what, when, and why it matters. They serve as a vital roadmap for action items and follow-ups, ensuring that brilliant ideas don’t evaporate into thin air. They…
Navigating menopause in the workplace: Insights and support for managers
How line managers can play a vital role in managing and supporting colleagues with menopausal symptoms October is World Menopause Month and on 18 October every year, World Menopause Day is observed. This aims to raise awareness about menopause and support for women going through their natural life transition. Menopause, typically occurring between the…
Building Resilience in Students: A Positive Approach for Educators
Introduction: Calling teachers/educators and lifelong learners! Today, we’re diving into a topic that is not only important but also exciting: resilience. Resilience is like your secret superpower, and we’re here to help you unlock it for yourself and your students. So, grab a cuppa, get comfy, and let’s explore the world of resilience together. What…
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