News Archive
At Work Horizons we believe that the cornerstone of organisational and individual productivity is a sense of purpose and engagement. The articles that we write, the events that we host and conversations that we record are all aimed at opening the eyes of leaders to new ideas and sharing insights into leadership, management, teamworking and talent.
News archive
These are some of our older articles, news items and commentary:
Are you Living to Work – Part 13
Are you Living to Work? – Part 13
Do you suffer because of emotional strain? Do you know what is causing it? Are there several factors at the same time?
Are you Living to Work – Part 12
Are you Living to Work? – Part 12
Whether the pressures and stresses come from work, relationships, or anything else, they do create an emotional strain.
Are you Living to Work – Part 11
Are you Living to Work? – Part 11
We all meet resistance; we all are knocked back by people or circumstances on occasions. It is the manner we deal with these issues that counts.
Are you Living to Work – Part 10
Are you Living to Work? – Part 10
When asked at, for example, an interview, “Do you like/adapt to change?” it is easy to say yes even if it isn’t meant.
Are you Living to Work – Part 9
Are you Living to Work? – Part 9
Change is inevitable and the rate of change is increasing. According to Everett Rogers 16% of us will resist change, which is 1 person in 6.
Are you Living to Work – Part 8
Are you Living to Work? – Part 8
We are all products of our history so far. We see ourselves in certain ways but not necessarily in the same ways other people see us.
Are you Living to Work – Part 7
Are you Living to Work? – Part 7
Is a lack of a job filling every aspect of your life?
Are you Living to Work – Part 6
Are you Living to Work? – Part 6
It is too easy to just accept our situation or a job which “will do” or is “Good enough”.
Are you Living to Work – Part 5
Are you Living to Work? – Part 5
Create two lists: The things you like about work; the things you don’t like about work.
Are you Living to Work – Part 4
Are you Living to Work? – Part 4
Pressure and stress are not easy to measure, and we all react differently to stimuli.
Are you Living to Work – Part 3
Are you Living to Work? – Part 3
What really matters to you?
Are you Living to Work – Part 2
Are you Living to Work? – Part 2
Do you have a philosophy for working life?
Are you Living to Work – Part 1
Are you Living to Work? – Part 1
Personal Thinking – Ten questions to ask yourself:
Expanding Your Work Horizons
Expanding Your Work Horizons is an online course designed to assist you to think through the issues, create a plan and to act on it.
Returning to the Workplace
There can be some serious challenges returning to work after years out of the workplace. Some of them are logistical – how to find work that fits around school pick-up times and school holidays – some are psychological – is it even possible do get back into a career and work mindset – and some are practical – just how do I approach my job hunt?
A Winter’s Day
Hunched up against the elements a young guy scurried past. Very tall, anoraked and wearing tight light coloured trousers, he was a contrast with the dog walkers who are always prepared for the conditions.
The Value of a Career Coach
There can be only one reason for not having a coach; not being able to afford one. It would, of course, be nonsensical to assume everyone has available cash to pay for a coach, career or otherwise.
Your job is finding a job
You may be unemployed or faced with the prospect of losing your current role but, whatever the case, you must be totally focussed on the hunt for the next job.
This may well sound like the absolutely obvious, however it is not easy either psychologically or practically.
Whose Fault?
On a national front the unemployment numbers are rising, whilst globally the number of people inhabiting the world has risen to 8 billion.
The Over 50s are not decrepit
On a national front the unemployment numbers are rising, whilst globally the number of people inhabiting the world has risen to 8 billion.
Employment Spiral
On a national front the unemployment numbers are rising, whilst globally the number of people inhabiting the world has risen to 8 billion.
Employment in the future
Where will there be jobs in the future? Automated Intelligence (AI) will vacuum up any jobs with repetition. The Chief Economist at the Bank of England has predicted this will be 50% of all jobs. I think this is wrong; it is higher.
The Impact of Artificial Intelligence
We will be paying a lot of attention to the future of work, and not just to the effects of AI, robotics and biotech. However, interviewed on the BBC recently, Victor Riparbelli, CEO and Co-founder of Synthesia said, “AI won’t replace your job. A person using AI will”.
Retention – keeping the best and the competent
A certain level of staff turnover is healthy. It creates space to promote the deserving people and to bring in new talent and incremental skills. However, the economy is facing a very real problem caused by the ‘Great Resignation’. Following lockdown and the issues it caused, many people are considering their future and, most importantly, what matters to them. Research by Gallup before Covid hit us showed 70% of employees were ‘actively disengaged’!
Continue Reading Retention – keeping the best and the competent
The Cost of a Resignation
A greatly underestimated aspect of business is the loss of staff members.
Too many organisations just accept that people will leave and, therefore, limit the amount invested in them.
Dogs in the Workplace
Is it a good idea? What are the implications?
For those of us who live with a dog (note not ‘Own’), this is the easiest conundrum to solve; it is an unequivocal ‘Yes’, bring in the pooch. But it isn’t that simple.
The Value of ‘Returners’ – Part Six
This is the sixth of a series of articles for returners, people who want to return to the workplace after an extended period away from it.
The best piece of advice is plan, do not imagine you can be haphazard in your approach or can busk an interview. Think the 5 Ps; Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance.
The Value of ‘Returners’ – Part Five
This is the fifth of a series of articles for returners, people who want to return to the workplace after an extended period away from it.
Do you know how much you want or need to earn?
Have you calculated in any costs of childcare?
The Value of ‘Returners’ – Part Four
This is the fourth of a series of articles for returners, people who want to return to the workplace after an extended period away from it.
How much flexibility do you need?What hours can you work?
The Value of ‘Returners’ – Part Three
This is the third of a series of articles for returners, people who want to return to the workplace after an extended period away from it.
Why do you want to work?
The Value of ‘Returners’ – Part Two
There can be some serious challenges returning to work after time out of the workplace. Some of them are logistical – for example, how to find work that fits around school pick-up times and school holidays – some are psychological, is it even possible do get back into a career and work mindset?
The Value of ‘Returners’ – Part One
There can be some serious challenges returning to work after time out of the workplace. Some of them are logistical – for example, how to find work that fits around school pick-up times and school holidays – some are psychological, is it even possible do get back into a career and work mindset?
Company Announcement
People are in trouble; the cost-of-living crisis, job losses mounting, recession imminent. The result is very many people are in career transition.
It’s Difficult for Everyone
Your job is to find a job or create a job by starting a business, or to go off in a completely different direction. But your time needs to be applied to planning and acting to find a meaningful work life.
Independent Support
So people who care about you want to help, and that is great. However, the inputs you receive may be contradictory and confusing. We all have opinions, not everyone has knowledge.
Everyone Needs Help
You may be confident or shy, you may be resilient or naïve, but if you are reticent to accept or look for help, think again.
A critical friend or willing guide will be an invaluable source of support. It is Rumsfeldian to acknowledge we don’t know what we don’t know.
It’s Difficult Writing about Yourself
Frequently, we hear people say how difficult it is to create their own CV or complete application forms. For some there is too much information to crystallise into a compact form. For others they don’t know what to write; they do their job, what else is there to say? Some people are reticent to feel as if they are bragging, their natural style is at odds with .
The Effect of Not Knowing
Perhaps the worst time in a redundancy process is after its announcement, but before it is known who will be the ‘victims’. Speculation and gossip abound, it affects people’s output, it worries everyone even though only a percentage will be impacted.
Family Impact when a Job is Lost
When a job is lost it isn’t only the redundant person affected. The effects are across the family, even the children. It is the not knowing that hurts most.
Tensions may rise and the outcomes are occasionally dramatic. Everyone wants to see progress and being able to monitor activity by being a member of our online website demonstrates it.
Four in the Morning Syndrome
More people die at around four am than any other specific time. It is also the time people wake up to worry. They lie in bed restlessly, trying hard not to disturb anyone else but with a mind in turmoil.
The biggest problem is the compounding factor of extrapolation; I am losing my job, I won’t be able to pay the mortgage, the house will be lost, we will be homeless, divorce is inevitable, and I will never see my kids again…
Next steps
If you would like to discuss any of these issues further or are interested in working with the Work Horizons team, please read about our services or get in touch.
