ASPIRE MANAGEMENT CONSULTANCY LTD

A Feb 21 survey by Gallup of 150 top Chief Human Resource Officers (CHROs) proves otherwise (https://bit.ly/AspireMCL092) Gallup reported on a number of key themes related to productivity that the CHROs identified. The number one theme was: "Mission and purpose have been important drivers of high employee engagement." Engaged employees are those who willingly and enthusiastically contribute towards helping the organisation achieve its goals, i.e., they are the employees you

Our early career paths as young and fresh leaders are often marked by energy, speed and determination. We rise to meet new challenges with gusto and welcome the imposition of more responsibility. However, there comes a point, perhaps due to age-related limitations to our ability to just keep doing more, or to the sheer volume of work encountered as we grow in seniority, when we must find a new way of achieving our ever-expanding goals. Here are a few tips that will help us to

A new slideshow on coaching and mentoring is now available in our Secret Facebook Group for subscribers. If you would like access, please get in touch with me at iank@aspiremcl.co.uk #Coaching #Mentoring #Engagement #StaffDevelopment

The benefits of employee engagement are well quantified and well known. They include higher morale, greater agility, lower staff turnover, better customer service and higher profitability (see the MacLeod Report for a full listing). However, Gallup's 2018 survey showed that only 11% of British workers are engaged. Despite the obvious competitive advantages of investing in programmes to increase employee engagement, too many managers and executives insist on using 'carrot and

For subscribers to Aspire's Secret FB Group, I have just uploaded a presentation on Organizational Health (OH): What it is, why it matters so much and how to develop it. Next month's resource will be on coaching. Seen this message and want access? Please contact Ian on 020 3904 7501, or email him at: iank@aspiremcl.co.uk #SecretGroup #Engagement #OrganizationalHealth #ExecutiveLeadership

Article: http://bit.ly/Feedback-HBR This short study by the HBR shows the effect of allowing staff the opportunity to provide feedback. As well as reducing quit rates, it has also been found that those who are given a voice work better. Face-to-face with key and other staff is obviously best, but even a short online satisfaction survey has beneficial effects. With high employment and a shortage of skills nationally, could this be a quick win for you/your company? #Engagement

The business benefits of employee engagement are well known and include lower accident rates, fewer sick days, increased profits and lower staff turnover (saving not just money but time and stress as well!). The MacLeod Report, commissioned by the UK Govt, quantified some of these benefits. There is a clear link between good leadership and engagement. Here's a short article which elaborates on this fact with particular focus on the need to be respectful, communicate well and

The truth is that most of us fear failure in something at some time or another. It is often helpful to keep things in perspective, e.g. understanding what won't happen if you fail, etc. and then think about the positive things that could happen if you succeed. Remember, also, that courage isn't the absence of fear; it's a determination to act in the face of it. https://hbr.org/2018/12/how-to-overcome-your-fear-of-failure #Coaching #Engagement #PersonalDevelopment #Productivit

There is no shortage of material about the traits of good leadership and some of the pointers and lists can be helpful for assessment and development. However, it is not uncommon for someone to possess many of these traits but still be uninspiring as a leader. What makes people willing to follow one person but not another in similar situations? There are many factors to this of course, but in decades of study and experience, I have found that the most inspiring and effective

Performance reviews get a bad press these days. However, they can still be a great tool if done properly and used as part of an ongoing performance review and management system rather than as an annual quick-hit or box-ticking exercise. The article linked below explains how to avoid common biases. One of the key lessons I learnt from the NLP Business Practitioners Course is that 'people like people like them'. That's understandable, but good leaders see beyond that and gain a

The ability to ask great questions is a key leadership skill: they unlock/reveal information, stimulate thinking and boost engagement. Knowing how and when to ask closed ('yes' or 'no') and open questions will empower your leadership. Here's an article that expounds the subject: https://hbr.org/ideacast/2018/05/ask-better-questions Aspire MCL can help you develop coaching and analytical skills. Call us on 020 3904 7501 to learn more. #Coaching #Engagement #Communications #Mee

It is really important to show compassion as a leader. It is also important to understand that being compassionate does not mean being soft. It's a shame that HBR used the GIF with this article (https://goo.gl/Ze1Nhu) as it conveys the wrong image: Truly compassionate leaders care enough for their team to make tough decisions and have those difficult conversations when they are necessary. #Engagement #TeamBuilding #Leadership #StaffDevelopment #Effectiveness

They used to be common but a modern trend is to use computer algorithms to measure metrics such as email response times to gauge employee engagement levels. However, surveys remain a hallmark of high-performing HR systems. They serve at least 3 useful functions: they are great predictors of behaviour, they give employees the chance to feel heard, and they can be a vehicle for changing behaviour. I meet many leaders who are convinced they are doing a great job and are leading

Healthy conflict or opposition is essential to generating better ideas and securing buy-in. I find this tool really helpful in promoting it (and in helping to prevent unhealthy (personal) conflict). Get in touch for more information on how to generate great discussions and enjoy productive meetings: enquiries@aspiremcl.com #Engagement #ConflictManagement #Meetings #Management #Leadership #Teambuilding

Ever watched the programme ‘Undercover Boss’? A senior executive goes to work undercover as a junior employee in his/her business to find out what it is like that level. I stopped watching it after a while because I got tired of hearing lines like “I never knew this was happening”, or “I never thought we had people like that.” I always wanted to ask: “Why didn’t you know?” Whilst it is obviously impossible for senior execs to know everyone and everything at all levels in a bi

Despite the costs in money, time, stress and effort, too many firms still rely on 'stick and carrot' (put in that order intentionally) motivational methods rather than sound leadership. Interactions between leaders and their teams are usually formal and brief. However, making time for your people when they need you will not only save your time in the longer run, it will foster many other positive spin-offs. Most people leave firms not for more money, but to get away from thei