What do you picture when someone talks about ‘change management’? Like me do you picture a process and a person in charge? What do you hear when someone talks about their organisation going through a big change? Do you imagine restructures, with some people being...

How to Turn Learning New Ideas into Action! You’ve recognised the need to adapt to changes in your industry and you’ve decided to implement your own change programme in response. Like many organisations, perhaps you’ve created or bought in some training to allow you...

One of my friends asked me a question today. “Hey Kath, what’s the best bit of kit you own?” That set me pondering a little. I am after all a triathlete and I own loads of kit, cupboards full of it, queen of “stuff” so is it my trainers, nope; my wetsuit, maybe; my...

It’s been quite a year, and 2020’s not quite over yet.  For many of us, COVID has brought turmoil and stress across many areas of life: family, our wellbeing, new ways of working, relationships, finances and more.  Research into the mental health impact of...

In this article, Rebecca Stevens will introduce you to a model for change management based on ideas, theories, concepts and tools from the field of positive psychology. Rebecca will talk through the reasons behind the development of this model; the principles which...

I was hoping to write this blog in a quiet place where I would have the space and time to think with no disturbances. A peaceful place surrounded by beautiful flowers and a flowing river would be perfect for me.  I need time to myself and a place where I can...

In my work with leaders over the past 2-3 decades, I have had a series of opportunities using tried and tested business tools to enable leaders to deliver their Strategy successfully. This work has been highly engaging and rewarding for myself and leaders. 2020 has...

More people are using video platforms to communicate and present to their clients and colleagues. Some may have prior experience of presenting face-to-face, yet considerations should be taken into account when presenting virtually. For instance, maintaining eye contact essential when trying to communicate effectively and reinforce key messages for your target audience. Initially, this may feel uncomfortable, but with practice, presenters will become more accustomed to focusing on the lens, rather than thumbnails of their attendees. Moreover, when presenting in person, it’s considered good practice to project our voices to present ourselves as authoritative, credible and confident figures. This gives the messages that we’re communicating credibility. This concept is also relevant in virtual presentations; therefore, maintain a strong, clear voice as if you’re in a physical conference room. Preparing an effective space is also contributes to effective auditory performance. For instance, soft furnishings reduce echoing and maintains the focus of the audience. It’s also important to consider visuals when conducting a video call; position yourself, accordingly, i.e. fill your screen with your head and shoulders. Also, ensure that the background isn’t cluttered. Not only can this distract your audience, messy surroundings could be considered unprofessional. Finally, don’t view the chat window as a tool that’s exclusively for Q&A. Use the feature to share documents, links, or agendas with your audience.

With COVID-19 having a profound impact on the world of work, leaders need to keep their teams motivated and maintaining the required performance levels. A motivated team brings an abundance of qualities to a company, including commitment, morale, efficiency and skills gained via personal development opportunities. With circumstances changing significantly since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, leaders need to demonstrate adaptability to prevent workers from adopting a fixed mindset, rather guiding them to the path of possibility, whereby opportunity and positivism are prominent. As identified by McGregor and Doshi, there are negative motivators that can hinder motivation: economic pressure, economic pressure and inertia. Nonetheless, there are positive motivators that can override the influence of the aforementioned factors: play, purpose and potential.