Enhance your managerial skills and competencies with training programs designed to improve decision-making, communication, and team management.
Remember the days of whiteboard jitters and projector mishaps? The world of communication has evolved, and virtual presentations are now the new normal. Whether you’re connecting with colleagues across continents or captivating clients remotely, mastering the art of online presentations is key to success. By testing your equipment beforehand and having a backup plan, you […]
30 days – Leadership Congratulations on your promotion! This is the forming stage for your team. Team members will be feeling uncertain about their new manager and how things might change. If they are happy with their current situation they will be skeptical and resistant. If they are unhappy, they are going to be looking […]
Have you ever wondered what jazz music and management have in common? Jazz is a musical genre that originated in the African American communities of New Orleans in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It is characterised by improvisation, syncopation, swing, and complex harmonies. Jazz musicians often play in small groups, where they communicate […]
Welcome back to our series on Action Centred Leadership, where we explore the principles and practices of effective leadership. In this blog we delve into the “Task” element of the Action Centred Leadership model. If we refer to the ‘Action Centred Leadership’ diagram above, where should a manager spend most of their time? Certainly, pre-Covid, […]
In the 1950s and 1960s, the Space Race not only pushed the boundaries of human exploration, but also revolutionised the way we manage complex projects. The intense competition between the United States and the Soviet Union to achieve spaceflight supremacy led to the development of innovative management techniques. These methodologies were designed to handle the […]
In the ever-changing world of modern business, the significance of adept management cannot be underestimated. It is a lot more than just supervision of tasks; it is about guiding, motivating, and propelling teams towards the fulfilment of organisational objectives. For managers to excel in such a layered role, they must be well equipped with pertinent […]
An Introduction to ‘Action Centred Leadership’ In the lead up to the festive period, we’ll be sharing a 5-part blog series on Action Centred Leadership. And how the considerations of a manager in a changing working world; It will include a look into how employee/ employer relationships are changing in the post-covid era. The introduction […]
Any project at work can bring about exciting challenges and changes. Read on to learn more about how to identify them, and what the phases of projects look like to help you to run them efficiently and accurately. Rest assured all the content covered here has been tried and tested on our very own project […]
The ability to manage our time and tasks effectively has become a valuable skill. The “Urgent-Important Matrix” is a simple but powerful tool, which can transform how you approach your to-do list and maximise your productivity by placing each task in the appropriate quadrant. In this blog post, we’ll explore the concept of the Urgent-Important Matrix […]
Listening is a skill that is often overlooked, but to improve your performance, it is one of the most important skills you can have in your locker. Good listening skills can help you to build relationships, solve problems, and improve productivity. There are many reasons why listening skills are important in the workplace. Here are […]
Introduction Building strong relationships with colleagues and superiors has become crucial for professional success in today’s fast-paced and interconnected workplaces. Developing rapport at work fosters a positive and productive environment, encourages effective collaboration, and enhances job satisfaction. In this blog, we will explore actionable tips on how to build rapport at work, emphasising authenticity, empathy, […]
Highly productive people are motivated, engaged, and willing to go the extra mile. They care about the quality of their work, their colleagues, and the success of the company. They know this reflects on them. People generally feel this way on the first day of their new job when they are excited. They want to […]
To empower people means “putting power into,” and it can also mean “bringing energy and enthusiasm out of.” Putting power into people This means giving them the freedom to do their job their way. This will only happen if you trust individuals, but your employees will never believe they are fully capable if you have […]
This is the last in the Performance Management series. We have already looked at the first 3 stages of Performance Management; Setting Expectations, Assessing Performance and Performance Reviews. Today we will look at the final stage in the process, Developing Individuals. The first 3 stages will enable you to identify any learning and development needs. […]
In the previous blogs in this 4 part series we looked at Setting Expectations and Assessing Performance. Today we will look at best practice for Performance Reviews. Quick Recap In Assessing Performance, we stressed the importance of ‘Managing by Walking Around.’ In other words, taking the time to observe what your team is doing on […]
Assessing Performance – targets Before we dive into assessing performance against targets, a quick reminder of part 1: In the first blog in this series of 4 – Setting Expectations for Performance, we looked at how expectations can be broad. With that said, we can break them down into two broad categories: Measurable Results and Targets […]
To perform well, employees need to know what is expected of them. Well-defined expectations produce effective teams with employees who know the role they play and the purpose they serve. When you and an employee set clear expectations about the results that must be achieved, and the methods or approaches needed to achieve them, you […]
In all our careers there will be occasions where we need to have difficult conversations with our colleagues, these may be focused on performance management, poor behaviour, giving bad news, or be of a personal or sensitive nature, whatever the issue is, many of us do not look forward to these moments. Why do we […]
The undeniable fact that we are currently in a recession is affecting us all. Organisations are concerned about the increasing costs of materials and the impact on consumer spending. Furthermore, staff are concerned about the rise in fuel bills and the cost of living. Everyone is asking, will it get worse, how long will it […]
When team members lose confidence in their ability to complete their tasks successfully or to make change in their workplace; performance, motivation, and morale suffer. Team members don’t lose confidence overnight. Similarly, team confidence is not built in a day. It is a gradual process, where each positive experience builds to develop into real confidence. […]
“Every day is a school day” is a great saying. This is quite true, because whatever your level of experience as a manager, there are always new things to learn and skills to improve upon. Attending, and more importantly, using tools and ideas on a great course, can help. After all, good management training leads […]
If you need to make an impact in your meetings, you’re going to need some tactics. Our Facilitation and Meeting Skills and Effective Communication courses discuss some ideas to help you do just that. Statistics reveal that 11 million meetings take place every year. 91% of staff admit to daydreaming, 95% admit to missing […]
Feedback is essential for everyone. Without meaningful, constructive, and actionable feedback, staff will have no real idea about their performance. They will not feel valued, and their development will be hindered. Why it matters Feedback is one of the best things you can provide for your staff. It improves performance and enables staff retention. Put […]
A motivated team will perform better than an unmotivated team. Understanding how to motivate your staff can seem like a daunting task. We cannot expect everyone to be motivated and engaged in the same way we are. With that said, as a manager, you must remember that everyone is watching you. Your influence is important. […]
A team won’t always begin fully formed, functional and able to work effectively as a unit. Managers need to understand that there are phases to building a team and how to manage each phase. Team Effectiveness There are several factors which influence a team’s effectiveness. Understanding the stages teams go through is a valuable insight […]
Delegation is a necessary and vital tool for Managers if you want your team to be productive. But letting go and allowing your team members to take on tasks and projects can be scary. Common Challenges Do any of the following statements sound familiar to you? It takes too long to explain It’s easier […]
This is the last in the series Five Vital Skills for Project Managers – Adaptability. We have previously talked about Communication, Leadership, Organisational Skills and Critical Thinking. Today we will look into the benefits of being Adaptable. Changing your approach Adaptability as a skill refers to the ability of a person to change their actions, […]
Welcome to the fourth in our series Five Vital Skills for Project Managers – Critical Thinking. We have already looked at Communication, Leadership and Organisational Skills. What is Critical Thinking? Critical thinking sounds negative, as if you are constantly criticising everything. This is not the case. Critical thinking is the ability to reason and to […]
Managers have to deal with difficult situations from time to time. Your team will be looking to you to resolve issues so they can continue to be productive. In our Introduction to Management course we share practical, tangible tools and strategies to help you manage these situations. Be observant Keep track of difficult situations that […]
In our last blog we talked about Communication. Today we are going to look at the next topic in our series Five Vital Skills for Project Managers – Leadership. The difference between Managing and Leading Simply put, Management is about tasks while Leadership is about people. Project Managers need to be able to wear both […]
Projects come in all shapes and sizes. You might be managing a long term implementation or organising an event alongside your everyday work. Either way, communication is vital for the project’s success. In this blog, we will look at the first of five vital skills for project managers – communication. A third of projects fail […]
How to succeed at the Networking Game Networking in-person conversations, much like the networks themselves, are not self-sustaining, they require real commitment and drive in order to connect and establish the foundations of a relationship. Once you initiate and make eye contact you need some tricks to establish trust, build rapport and make great first […]
When a Director once gave a talk on the importance of developing relationships, I was left thinking I had to buy someone a gift. Maybe it isn’t too far from the truth. When developing skills that can influence a relationship, having a giving attitude is what can help make them spectacular. Find out here how […]
Why won’t you answer? So many time’s we send emails praying to get a quick response. Far too often that one reply necessary to move forward on our work doesn’t materialise. So, what are the secrets to getting that quick response? In this article we will try and shift the power back into your corner. […]
Kouzes’ 5 Practices of Exemplary Leadership James Kouzes’ leadership model has been rigorously researched and tested for its effectiveness. He finds that leaders who exhibit certain skills perform better. Let us have a look at leadership development and the 5 practices of exemplary leadership. Model the Way Effective leaders must first know what their personal values are […]
If You Fail To Plan, You Plan To Fail! How to plan a presentation The success or failure of a presentation is determined long before you walk into the venue and try to engage the audience. Let’s consider how you can plan your presentation effectively, making it as relevant, concise and targeted for your audience […]
clinching those important sales deals Struggling to meet your monthly sales targets? Learning from the experts may be just what you need! STL offers a Successful Selling course to a wide range of organisations, from IT and Banking to Sporting Facilities and TV Stations. To increase any company’s profitability, a key ingredient is learning the […]
Motivating a team is often an acquired skill, especially when working remotely. A recent article by Forbes makes interesting reading on how you can motivate your team for better results. One model of motivation comes from the work of Torrington and Hall. Here they combine many of the more recent motivational theories to create a […]
What is stealing your time? A time robber is the nemesis of the effective time manager. We need to identify them, acknowledge their existence, and work out what we’re going to do about them. Time robbers come in different shapes and sizes – some are self-imposed, some are manager imposed, others can be company imposed. […]
The nature of nerves Several years ago, a survey was conducted to identify the top 10 public fears. What came in at number one? Public speaking! Apparently, the scariest thing we can do in our lives is stand in front of people and speak. What is the secret to successful presentations? Why the fear factor? […]
In this post we’ll look at the essentials for any Train the Trainer course or programme. What should be included, how and why… Why bother with a Train the Trainer? Many people think that anybody can be a Trainer, it’s just a matter of getting up there and doing it. Of course, that’s not the […]
How to Build Rapport When you are trying to develop rapport with others, make the Oxford Dictionary definition your mantra: “a close and harmonious relationship in which the people or groups concerned understand each other’s feelings or ideas and communicate well”. What does it take to accelerate “close and harmonious” communication with those you want […]
Together Everyone Achieves More! 4 Stages of Team Development What’s a team? How about ‘a group of people working together to achieve a common goal or objective’? And if you like the definition, do you have a team? If the answer is no, then how do you get one? Questions, questions! Let’s look at some […]
Let’s talk about ways to resolve conflict, real techniques that you can use in your professional life. Typically, we look at the problem of conflict being a result of miscommunication. Maybe there wasn’t a clear understanding of what is important to the other person, and this can include respect, time frames, seniority, budget constraints – […]
How To Accept The Things We Cannot Change The ability to manage our own stress levels is a wonderful thing, but we need to approach it with realistic aims. It is extremely helpful to acknowledge straight away that some sources of stress in our lives are unavoidable – for example, economic downturns or the loss […]
Despite the increased use of virtual reality and artificial intelligence in creative thinking, problem solving and decision making are still some of the most in-demand skills needed by professionals in the workplace to maximise efficiency, productivity and both team and individual performance. This article will explore 4 tips to help you solve problems quicker and […]
Personal Branding – Release Your Inner Superhero Do people in your organisation know what your unique skills and abilities are? You could assume that the impact made by your hard work would show others who you are and what you can do. However, unless you market yourself, people could see you in a way that […]
If you read any book or article about what’s needed to be a great Leader, effective communication skills are key, particularly the ability to have great listening skills. In these tips to improve listening skills for better leadership, we will explore how listening mastery is one of the five key essentials in communication that every […]
How can we conduct appraisals when the employee is neither happy nor willing to be there? Words like ‘appraisal’ can make some people want to run a mile! This may be due to pre-conceived ideas about the appraisal process, or unpleasant past experiences – perhaps a previous manager did not do a good job. We […]
Organisational Profiles As part of our Public Schedule portfolio, STL offers leadership development to a range of organisations, from the leading brand in healthy drinks to one of the best-known luxury hotel chains. Despite the different settings and company cultures, what they all have in common is that they have identified a ‘leadership profile’. Namely […]