The case for connection: reclaiming the human side of work

Sonya Alexander | 21 May 2025

As artificial intelligence redefines the workplace, we risk losing touch with the very interactions that underpin effective teams and resilient organisations.

Why leaders should trust their intuition

Lynda Shaw

Leaders who balance their gut feelings with analytical thinking make faster, more authentic decisions, especially when navigating complexity in fast-paced environments.

Why neurodivergent leaders are still made to feel like outsiders

Michelle Carson

It's about time that organisations start addressing the structural realities that continue to marginalise neurodivergent professionals in the workplace.

Balancing the corporate gender tightrope

Megan Seibel

Gender inequality remains entrenched on corporate boards. So is a better understanding cognitive diversity the answer to getting more women in the boardroom?

How fractional leadership reduces executive burnout

Sara Daw

As ever-increasing pressures make traditional full-time executive roles psychologically unsustainable, the structure of leadership needs a significant rethink.

Remote work under scrutiny

Konstantin Joergensen

Across the EU and beyond, labour laws are evolving to reflect the emergence of flexible working. Here’s what HR leaders must know as regulations tighten.

How to have hope amid political chaos

David Livermore

Amid chaos and dysfunction, it’s worth remembering that most people, most of the time, are inclined toward fairness, cooperation and kindness.

From the archive

Morale: a moving target

Duane Dike

What we think we know about morale is probably wrong, especially the black and white notion that morale is either ‘good’ or ‘bad’. Like most human feelings, morale is a moving target, which is why being sensitive to its nuances is such a key skill for leaders.

Charles Helliwell

Misinterpretation of a common language

Charles Helliwell

It is a commonly held belief that because we all speak the same language, we all share the same interpretation. Like many commonly-held beliefs, however, it is quite wrong.

Graham Jones

Avoiding the perils of an accidental leader

Graham Jones

Many people get promoted to leadership roles because they are good at what they do but soon find themselves out of their depth. But an accidental leader need not be an accident waiting to happen if they can be equipped with some of the skills of ‘real’ leadership.

Jurgen Wolff

February Brainstorm

Jurgen Wolff

As I write this, parts of the world are in turmoil in reaction to. . . cartoons. Just when everybody seems to be writing about how the written word and the printed image have lost much of their power, we're reminded all too forcefully that it ain't necessarily so.

Wayne Turmel

Three reasons you can't get webinars ready on time

Wayne Turmel

One of the most frequent complaints about delivering a presentation or webinars is that they take too long to prepare. But if you're always prepping until the last minute, odds are you're guilty of at least one of these productivity killers.

Earlier opinion

Supporting mental health on remote and hybrid teams

Wayne Turmel

As a team leader, you need to be aware of the mental health of your team. So here are ten things to consider about creating and maintaining a healthy workplace environment.

Three key leadership skills for 2025

Tony Fournier

As technology evolves at breakneck speed, what are the leadership qualities that will be most critical in 2025?

Remote teams and common goals

Wayne Turmel

When your team isn’t physically co-located, how do you help everyone understand and stay focused on their common goals?

The great reset

Andrey Yashunky

Sometimes the only way to remove the fog clouding the future is a complete reset - in whatever form that might take.

Why remote work can be hard on trust

Wayne Turmel

Trust is critical to successful remote and hybrid work. But even with the best of intentions, doubt and suspicion can creep in.

Getting honest feedback as a long-distance leader

Wayne Turmel

Getting honest feedback is critical for anyone in a leadership role. But imagine how much more difficult this is when you and your team are in different physical places.

The benefits of a bucket list

Ian Child

Life’s too short not to have dreams. It doesn't matter if they are big, small, expensive or cheap, the important thing is to try to make them happen.

Parenthood and ESG

Jean-Sébastien Pelland

Becoming a parent is a life-changing event. And the realisation that our children will have to grow up in whatever world we leave behind can also have a big impact on how business leaders perceive growth and sustainability.

Hybrid work: do you want a mule or a platypus?

Wayne Turmel

Would you describe the hybrid workplace as a mule or as a platypus? Stick with me, because the question is not as crazy as it might sound.

Remote working and mental health

Wayne Turmel

One of the more interesting and talked-about topics around remote and hybrid working is how it impacts people’s mental health.

Combating burnout: five practical steps for leaders

Ang Brennan

In today’s relentless workplace, tackling burnout among leaders is a pressing reality. Here are some practical strategies to help build a supportive and resilient work environment.

Managing performance on hybrid teams

Wayne Turmel

As hybrid working becomes more and more widespread, one of the biggest difficulties that has emerged is how to manage individual performance when some people are in the office more than others.