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…

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…

The value of coaching in the workplace

Coaching is an effective tool for enhancing employee performance, productivity, and personal growth in the workplace. Here are some reasons why coaching is valuable: Development of skills: Coaching provides employees with the opportunity to develop and improve their skills. Coaches can help employees identify areas where they need improvement and provide guidance on how to…

Coaching Clinics

Bringing coaching directly into the workplace The workplace has changed dramatically in the past two years and people are having to adapt to new ways of working. This has led to challenges that people are struggling to adjust to. Managers may be leading teams of individuals who are working remotely for at least part of…

Seven steps to solving problems effectively

Sometimes when you are faced with a challenge, you cannot see our way through to even knowing where to start. It feels like you are trying to eat an elephant. However, if you were going to eat an elephant (and I don’t advocate animal cruelty, so imagine a life-size, chocolate one!), you wouldn’t try to…

Dealing with an angry employee

As a manager, when faced with a member of your team who is angry, it can be quite daunting.  It may help you handle the situation better if you remember these points: First of all, acknowledge them – if you ignore them, it will exacerbate an already inflamed situation. Don’t sit down first – ensure…

Gareth Southgate’s Leadership Example

I have to confess, I’m not a great sports fan. I did however get caught up in the Euro 2020 excitement, and felt incredibly proud of the England team, even discussing it with friends! When I said I couldn’t believe I was actually talking about football, one replied “You are discussing football like a management…

Seven Ways to Stop Micromanaging

Imagine offering a visitor a drink when he comes to visit you at work.  He requests tea, milk, one sugar.  You go into the kitchen and he follows you in there.  Nothing too unusual, and you chat whilst you prepare the drinks.  Then he asks you to use a teapot, not put the teabag in…

Building Trust

Trust your team Without trust, the team cannot function, fear increases, motivation decreases and the environment becomes toxic. To build trust, you need to talk to your team about it. Find out what their fears are (which may even be you!) and assure them you will make steps to address them. They may even be…

Confident New Manager Programme

Does being a newly appointed Manager excite but worry you? Then this Confident New Manager Programme is the key you need to succeed and thrive: Are you worried about the transition to managing other people? Do you feel excited, yet terrified in your new role, daunted by tasks and responsibilities you have never had before?…