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Ideas & Insights
We would like to share some of our latest thinking about the big issues in HR. Please let us know what you think …
What We’re Reading: The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt
For this month’s reading pick, we chose The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness by Jonathan Haidt, one of the most talked-about books of the past year. While it is primarily a book about childhood and adolescent mental health, its implications stretch far beyond schools and […]
Is It Time for the End of ‘Always Learning’?
For years, ‘always be learning’ has been one of the defining mantras of the modern workplace. As technology evolves and new skills emerge, employees are encouraged to continuously upskill, reskill, and future-proof their careers. On the surface, it’s hard to argue with the idea. After all, earning drives innovation, supports career growth, and helps organizations […]
Leadership Blind Spots: Don’t Let Them Eclipse Your Judgement
With a solar eclipse taking place in many parts of the world, millions of people will stop to witness the extraordinary sight. For a few brief moments, the moon passes in front of the sun, temporarily obscuring something that is still very much there. It is a reminder that our perspective can change dramatically, even […]
What Comes After CEO Succession?
Much has been written about CEO succession planning, and for good reason. A poorly managed transition can unsettle investors, disrupt strategy, and create uncertainty throughout an organization. Last year’s Harvard Business Review article on the pitfalls that undermine CEO succession planning offered valuable guidance for boards and CHROs on selecting the right successor and preparing […]
The Promotion Paradox: Are We Promoting Our Best People Out of Their Strengths?
For generations, promotions have been viewed as the ultimate reward for exceptional performance. An employee consistently exceeds expectations, demonstrates expertise, and delivers results…so naturally, they’re promoted into management. But what if that well-intentioned decision is actually costing organizations some of their most valuable talent? This is what I like to call the ‘promotion paradox’: the […]
Is Workplace Patience on the Rise?
For years, the modern workplace has celebrated speed. Faster decisions. Faster hiring. Faster innovation. Faster responses to emails, messages, and meetings. The emergence of artificial intelligence has only accelerated these expectations, with many organizations now able to complete tasks in minutes which once took hours. Yet amid this race toward greater efficiency, an interesting countertrend […]
The Hidden Cost of Bad Internships
Every summer, organizations across the country welcome a new cohort of interns. For many employers, internships are viewed as a valuable talent pipeline, acting as a chance to identify future hires while giving students practical experience. But there’s another side to the story that deserves more attention: what happens when the internship experience falls short? […]
The Rise of Career Minimalism: Why Less Climbing Doesn’t Mean Less Commitment
For decades, career success followed a familiar formula: work hard, earn promotions, manage larger teams, and keep climbing the corporate ladder. Today, however, that definition is evolving. A growing number of employees are embracing what has become known as ‘career minimalism’, a mindset that prioritizes meaningful work, balance, and long-term sustainability over titles and constant […]
The Mediocrity Trap: Are We Overstandardizing Leadership?
A lot of leadership development and management training relies on leveraging standard models, and recently we found ourselves asking an interesting question: does this mean we’re taking away the opportunity for managers and leaders to bring their authentic selves to their roles? It’s a fair challenge. After all, leadership development is full of familiar frameworks. […]
Why Mediation Should Be Every Organization’s Secret Leadership Skill
Conflict is an inevitable part of work. Bring together people with different experiences, personalities, priorities, and perspectives, and disagreements are bound to happen. So the question isn’t whether conflict will arise, it’s whether organizations have the skills to address it before it escalates. Recent research from Acas suggests there’s still work to do. A survey […]
What We’re Reading: Coaching as a Leader by Jennifer Kidby
For this month’s reading pick, we explored a book that focuses on one of the most valuable skills modern leaders can develop: coaching. Coaching as a Leader by Jennifer Kidby examines how adopting a coaching mindset can help leaders build stronger relationships, develop talent, and create more engaged, high-performing teams. Jennifer Kidby, an experienced executive […]
The Case for Strategic Disengagement
For years, employee engagement has been treated as the gold standard of workplace success. Organizations have invested heavily in engagement surveys, recognition programs, culture initiatives, and leadership development, all with the goal of creating highly motivated, emotionally invested employees. And for good reason. Engaged employees are generally more productive, innovative, and committed to organizational success. […]
