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The Greatest Question Ever Asked?

Quite a few years ago I was interviewed for an HRD role in a very large multi-facetted organisation. The interview had all the potential to be uneventful. I could have written the script myself, very traditional organisation that saw little value in HR and yet felt obliged to fulfil its moral obligations and have a post holder sitting in the HR ivory tower. From the very outset the questions were not designed to ensure the panellists were properly informed of the capability of each applicant, nor was it designed to ensure they probed the alleged talent that sat before them. The questions were designed to let me and the rest of the applicant pool know how little the panel respected HR and to send a very strong message that the successful candidate need not think they were going to change anything around here unless this cadre of quasi inquisitionists allow it. The organisation might be required to have a senior HR presence and the role might come with the title director but any direction would require this group’s approval.

Article by 5 December 2017

   

Leadership development is stuck in the dark ages

The modern workplace has become complex, volatile and unpredictable. The skills needed for great leadership have dramatically changed and include intelligent behaviours, adaptive thinking and emotional intelligence. However, the methods being used to develop our leaders have not really changed at all.

Article by 18 November 2017

   

A quiet revolution in employee wellbeing

Subtle yet persistent cultural change is needed to begin a quiet revolution in employee wellbeing. Employers must provide effective support services, regularly communicate their availability and promote positive wellbeing messages. They must also encourage employees to take responsibility for their own health, but know when to intervene in order to minimise the effect absence has on their organisation.

Article by 17 November 2017

   

Are robots really going to take all our jobs?

It’s amazing how many conversations I have had lately with people around this subject. I self-confess a fan of Artificial Intelligence (AI, not to be confused with another great AI of Appreciative Inquiry). However, I am even a greater fan of what’s behind the AI… yes I am talking about humans.

Article by 13 November 2017

   

How to create the conditions for high performance

We can also find incredible human performances much closer to home in our everyday lives. The marathon runner raising thousands for charity, the next door neighbour growing a successful business or our colleague at work getting promotion after promotion and still managing to be a nice guy!

Article by 10 November 2017

   

Hormones & Work

Firstly you need to know the importance of Hormones.   Melatonin enables you to get to sleep and Cortisol wakes you up.  We obviously need both, but in the right balance and at the right time.   If you produce too much Cortisol leading up to bedtime it’s likely you’ll have a lower quality sleep.  If you don’t have enough through the day you’ll feel tired and be less productive.

Article by 7 November 2017

   

An Organizational Overview of the Partnership with Artificial Intelligence (AI)

The aura of ‘Groundbreaking Technology’ has long been touted as the ‘majestic’ manifestation of human ingenuity with ‘innovation’ being the ‘compelling’ driver and ‘progress’ holding the ‘motivation’ portfolio.  History has borne witness to three industrial revolutions and we are now in the throes of the fourth one.  The has been highlighted by Klaus Schwab in his article ‘The Fourth Industrial Revolution: what it means, how to respond’

Article by 25 October 2017

   

The stifling impact of ‘mirandization’ on organizational culture

Progressive organizations are continuously looking for ways to improve their operational efficiencies under clearly defined, easily understood and widely embraced strategic imperatives.  A common thread that can facilitate such dynamic initiatives is the presence of a healthy cohesive culture.  However, it remains a formidable challenge for organizations, especially, in high growth sectors, e.g., IT, to sustain a set of cherished principles/values/behaviors/norms that can enable effective coalescing of an increasingly diverse workforce towards a common purpose.

Article by 20 October 2017

   

HR to People Science…where did we go wrong?!

We have allowed ourselves to get lost in a murky world, removed from the real people that make a real difference.  The People in your Business who contribute every day.  The secret to engage lies in not seeing People as a “Science” or as a “cohort” to be processed or re-designed, but rather as the key differentiator in your ultimate Business success.  They should be central and core to all of the decisions.

Article by 19 October 2017

   

Slowing down to speed up

When my oldest son first went to primary school, his warm and wise reception teacher summed him up well: “that boy is on permanent fast-forward”. We never did find the pause button.  Even now, at 28, sitting still is not ... View Article

Article by 18 October 2017