In this episode of Work’s Not Working, Siân Harrington speaks with Blaire Palmer about the outdated Victorian beliefs and practices still influencing modern workplaces. Despite technological and societal advancements, many organizations remain entrenched in old paradigms, treating employees like second-rate machines. Blaire argues that these antiquated beliefs prevent true evolution in work practices, affecting everything from productivity measurements to hierarchical structures.

The discussion explores how these outdated practices impact employee engagement and wellbeing and introduces the concept of organizational citizenship versus autonomy. Blaire shares insights on fostering a more trusting and human-centric work environment and delves into the necessity for radical shifts in leadership approaches.

Key Takeaways:

• Outdated Victorian beliefs: Many organizations still operate under Victorian-era work paradigms that emphasize productivity and efficiency over human-centric approaches. Practices like clocking in and out, hierarchical structures and time and motion studies were developed during the Industrial Revolution and continue to influence modern workplaces.
• Impact on employee engagement: Treating employees like machines and imposing strict processes hinder their ability to perform their best work. Genuine engagement requires organizations to create environments where employees can find meaning and purpose in their work.
• Organizational citizenship vs autonomy: Blaire introduces the concept of organizational citizenship, which emphasizes belonging and responsibility over self-centered autonomy. Trust is essential in fostering a culture of citizenship, where employees feel valued and empowered to contribute.
• Challenges in shifting work practices: The pandemic highlighted the potential for more flexible work arrangements but many organizations reverted to old practices. Leaders need to push decision-making down the organization and support employees in developing their decision-making skills.
• Practical steps for leaders: Leaders should envision the legacy they want to leave and take brave steps to create more human-centric workplaces. Addressing core tensions in the organization and involving employees in problem-solving can lead to meaningful changes. Encouraging autonomy and trust by refraining from making all decisions and pushing responsibilities down to employees.

About Blaire Palmer

Blaire Palmer is a former BBC journalist turned organizational culture and leadership specialist. She has worked with numerous organizations over the past 24 years, helping them drive real change and create environments where people can do their best work. Blaire is the author of Punks in Suits and speaks internationally on rethinking leadership for the modern era.

• Interested in insights about people leadership, HR and the future of work? Sign up for our free fortnightly newsletter here: https://bit.ly/TPSupdates
• Follow Siân on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sian-harrington-thepeoplespace/
• Skip the search. Make informed decisions in minutes, not hours. Our curated and created content cuts through the noise, providing you with the precise information and expert analysis you need to tackle your challenges, when you need it! The People Space Premium https://bit.ly/TPSPremium
• Follow The People Space on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThePeopleSpace

In this episode Siân Harrington speaks to Sophie Williams about the concept of the glass cliff, where women and marginalized groups are often hired in leadership roles when a business is already underperforming, setting them up for failure. It delves into the impact of the glass cliff on women in the workplace, the reasons behind it and the implications for organizations. The discussion also covers practical advice for HR leaders and individuals to mitigate the glass cliff and create more inclusive work environments.

Key takeaways:

• Women are now in regression, not progression, around the world
• The glass cliff phenomenon sets up women and marginalized groups for failure by hiring them in leadership roles during times of organizational crisis
• The impact of the glass cliff extends beyond individual experiences to the broader implications for workplace diversity and organizational culture
• The Great Break-Up: why women in leadership positions are leaving organizations
• The need for organizations to create more inclusive work environments and recognize the value of diverse leadership perspectives
• Practical steps for both HR leaders and individuals to mitigate the effects of the glass cliff

About Sophie Williams

Sophie Williams is the author of the new book The Glass Cliff, which draws on almost 20 years of research from around the world on The Glass Cliff phenomenon. She is a former global Leader at Netflix and has held the titles of COO and CFO in London advertising agencies. Williams is also author of Millennial Black & Anti-Racist Ally, a TED Speaker, the voice behind Instagram’s @OfficialMillennialBlack, and part of the UN Women UK’s delegation to the Commission of the Status of Women conference in 2023 and 2024.

• Interested in insights about people leadership, HR and the future of work? Sign up for our free fortnightly newsletter here: https://bit.ly/TPSupdates
• Follow Siân on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sian-harrington-thepeoplespace/
• Skip the search. Make informed decisions in minutes, not hours. Our curated and created content cuts through the noise, providing you with the precise information and expert analysis you need to tackle your challenges, when you need it! The People Space Premium https://bit.ly/TPSPremium
• Follow The People Space on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThePeopleSpace

In this episode Siân Harrington speaks to Laura Ashley-Timms about the importance of asking good questions as a management superpower. Laura highlights the challenges faced by managers in today's complex and rapidly changing work environment and the need to reinvent the traditional command and control culture of management. She introduces the concept of the Frankenstein manager, who is made up of bits and pieces of knowledge and experience, and explains why organisations are not set up to ask the right questions. Laura presents a practical framework for developing the superpower of asking questions and driving action, and shares the results of a research study that demonstrates the effectiveness of operational coaching.

Key Takeaways

• 75% of bosses are accidental managers with no formal training in people management or leadership
• Employee engagement is stagnating, with only 23% of global employees being engaged
• Accidental managers are ill-equipped to deal with the complex and rapidly changing work environment
• The traditional command and control culture of management needs to be reinvented to focus on asking powerful questions
• Operational coaching, which involves an inquiry-led approach and asking the right questions, can drive performance and productivity increases
• A research study found that managers who underwent operational coaching increased the time they spent coaching by 70% and improved their skills in all management competencies
• Operational coaching can lead to positive organisational outcomes, such as improved retention and increased employment
• Asking powerful questions will become even more important in the age of AI, as it is crucial for getting the most out of AI and making informed decisions.

About Laura Ashley-Timms

Laura Ashley Timms is the chief operating officer of performance consultancy Notion and an expert on how to leverage operational coaching behaviours across organisations to drive commercial results and improve productivity and engagement levels. She has helped leaders and managers in over 40 countries to implement the award-winning STAR® Manager programme, has been recognised as one of the UK’s top executive coaches and as one of 40 outstanding global women. More recently she is co-author of management bestseller The Answer is a Question.

• Interested in insights about people leadership, HR and the future of work? Sign up for our free fortnightly newsletter here: https://bit.ly/TPSupdates
• Follow Siân on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sian-harrington-thepeoplespace/
• Skip the search. Make informed decisions in minutes, not hours. Our curated and created content cuts through the noise, providing you with the precise information and expert analysis you need to tackle your challenges, when you need it! The People Space Premium https://bit.ly/TPSPremium
• Follow The People Space on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThePeopleSpace