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Latest news and views from the Academy, ILM, CMI and the Institute for Leadership

Bridging the Communication Gap Across 5 Generations in the Workplace
In today’s diverse workplace, up to as many as five generations can work together as we live longer and work longer. Question is – can they coexist? We understand that each generation brings unique perspectives, communication styles, and preferences, creating both opportunities and challenges. The challenge for managers is how can you bridge the analogue

The Ultimate Showdown: Groups vs Teams.
Do you understand the difference between groups and teams? Have you ever wondered whether a group and a team are the same thing? At first glance, they might seem interchangeable, but when you dig a little deeper, you’ll find that they are actually quite different. Let’s break it down and see what sets them apart.

Leadership’s Secret Sauce
Modeling Psychological Safety for Team Success You may not have heard of the term Psychological Safety for teams. To give you some background it was developed by Oxford Social Scientist Dr. Timothy R. Clark who explained the 4 Stages of Psychological Safety™ and how to turn ineffective teams into inclusive and innovative psychological safety practitioners.

Self-Care Bingo for Stress Awareness
Looking for a fun way to boost your well-being and destress? Try Self-Care Bingo! It’s a simple and interactive tool designed to help manage stress and encourage daily wellness habits. Why Self-Care Bingo? Increase Awareness: Understand how self-care reduces stress. Encourage Daily Self-Care: Easy, bite-sized activities for mental, emotional, and physical health. Promote Engagement: Make

The Role of Middle Managers in a Sustainable Future
These days, businesses are under growing pressure to operate responsibly—from reducing waste to supporting their communities. It’s not just about ticking boxes; it’s about doing the right thing while staying competitive. So, how do companies make meaningful changes? A big part of the answer lies with middle managers. Indeed, middle managers play a pivotal role

Why Is Coaching and Mentoring Important for Businesses?
Coaching and mentoring are powerful tools that help bridge the gap between employees and leadership. They highlight individual growth areas, improve communication, and boost engagement and motivation. In fact, highly engaged employees are 75% less likely to leave—a huge win for both employee retention and your bottom line. What Makes a Great Coach or Mentor?

Impostor Syndrome: Recognising It, Managing It, and Moving Forward
Impostor syndrome is a master of disguise. It convinces high-achievers that their success is luck, not skill. It turns self-doubt into a habit, making it easier to believe criticism than compliments. No matter how much you accomplish, it whispers, “You’re not good enough.” Why Does Impostor Syndrome Thrive? At its core, impostor syndrome feeds on

10 Red Flags: How to spot toxic leadership
An individual in a leadership role without the right skills can make work frustrating, drain team energy, and stall employees’ career growth. It is likely that you have experienced toxic leadership somewhere along your career, and now that you are in a leadership role, you do not want to display toxic traits. We can see

Change to apprenticeship requirements (English & Maths)
The UK government confirmed during National Apprenticeship Week (10-16 February 2025) a significant overhaul of apprenticeship requirements, removing English and maths functional skills qualifications for adult apprentices and handing more control of the qualifications to employers. What does this mean for you? The requirements for English and maths (Level 2) are now optional for apprentices

Why a leadership and management qualification is worth it
In today’s dynamic and competitive business environment, strong leadership and management skills are more crucial for career development – now more than ever. Whether you’re looking to climb the corporate ladder, transition into a leadership role or sharpen your strategic thinking a professional leadership qualification equips you with essential skills to lead with confidence. Read

Lead with Purpose: 10 Simple Strategies to Support and Inspire Your Team
Career-Changing Management: The Power of Supporting Your Team Being a manager isn’t merely about meeting targets or completing projects on time. It’s about the individuals who make those successes possible. Transforming your management style by focusing on your team’s well-being and growth, you can transform not only their careers but your own. Read on to

Why Management Training Should Top Your 2025 Agenda
January is often a time when people think about their personal, professional and business goals for the new year. For managers, this could include taking stock of what went well during the previous year, what could have been handled better and how both they and their employees performed in their job roles. A management role

Redefining Workplace Dynamics: The Power of Coaching Agreements
The Power of Coaching Agreements In today’s changing professional landscape, traditional employment agreements outlining salaries, working hours, and general workplace policies may no longer be sufficient. A more personalised approach is beginning to take shape in the workplace: the idea of personal coaching agreements between managers and employees. These agreements, focused on how individuals work together, could transform

Does your organisation have a risk aware culture?
The importance of a forward-thinking, holistically-oriented approach to risk, both internal and external, cannot be overstated. It safeguards organisations from unexpected losses and helps leaders and managers to make well-informed decisions. By taking risk seriously, and not just a trawl through the risk register at the quarterly board meeting, organisations will become more effective at

Neurodivergence can be a superpower, if managers create the right conditions
Neurodivergence can be a superpower, if managers create the right conditions Instead of being seen as a difficulty to be accommodated, neurodivergence should be harnessed for its many potential benefits – which requires managers to create more balanced, open teams. CMI interviewed a number of neuro-divergent Chartered Managers on their career and experiences and they