productivity

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A Proactive Approach to Workplace Sickness Absence

March 11, 2025

Workplace absenteeism due to sickness is increasing, leading to reduced productivity, lower morale and challenges in employee retention CREDIT: This is an edited version of keep reading

Recognising the Red Flags of Burnout

March 6, 2025

We all wish we could run on unlimited energy, but even the most driven leaders need to hit the pause button occasionally CREDIT: This keep reading

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Breaking Free from Overcommitment

March 5, 2025

Have you ever volunteered to lead a project or take on a task, only to find yourself later wondering, “Why did I agree to that?” keep reading

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Read Again: How Practice Managers Can Combat Low Morale

March 4, 2025

Is your team feeling a little flat? Workplace morale is a critical factor that influences employee engagement, performance and overall organisational success, particularly in high-stakes keep reading

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The Best Ways to Naturally Improve Concentration

February 26, 2025

Struggling to stay focused? With the right strategies, you can train your mind to improve concentration and sharpen your focus CREDIT: This is an edited keep reading

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Insights from the Future.Now Digital Skills Report

February 24, 2025

Over the next few months, we’ll be exploring an exciting new digital series focused on the Future.Now Digital Skills Report. This series will delve into keep reading

Conflict is inevitable in any workplace, but with the right strategies in place, organisations can turn these challenges into opportunities for growth, collaboration and stronger team dynamics CREDIT: This is an edited version of an article that originally appeared on MTD Training Effective conflict resolution is essential for maintaining a healthy and productive workplace. By fostering a culture of collaboration and understanding, teams can work through disagreements constructively. This not only strengthens interpersonal relationships but also enhances overall team performance. Here are some strategies to encourage positive conflict resolution and create a more cohesive work environment. Encouraging Team Activities Regular team-building exercises are an effective way to strengthen interpersonal relationships, making it easier to resolve conflicts and fostering greater collaboration. Activities like collaborative problem-solving games encourage teams to work together to tackle challenging puzzles or scenarios, promoting cooperation and shared decision-making. Communication workshops, which focus on active listening, non-verbal cues and clear communication, further enhance mutual understanding and improve team dynamics. These exercises collectively boost group coherence, making it easier to navigate conflicts and improve overall teamwork. Recognising Positive Resolution Recognising and rewarding employees who handle conflicts constructively can inspire others to adopt similar approaches. Additionally, rewarding teams that successfully navigate conflict, especially during periods of change, reinforces a positive organisational culture. Team outings and social celebrations are great ways to acknowledge their resilience and dedication during challenging times. Public recognition or even small incentives can further emphasise the importance of positive conflict management, helping to embed these behaviours into the fabric of the organisation. Encouraging Empathy Empathy plays a crucial role in conflict resolution by enabling individuals to understand and appreciate the perspectives of others. When team members actively practice empathy, they are better equipped to recognise each other's needs, concerns and emotions, which fosters a more supportive and cooperative work environment. This understanding helps to de-escalate tension and paves the way for more thoughtful and compassionate solutions to conflicts. One effective way to cultivate empathy within teams is through workplace shadowing. By allowing employees to experience each other's roles firsthand, they gain a deeper insight into the challenges and responsibilities their colleagues face daily. This not only broadens their understanding but also highlights any barriers or difficulties that may be contributing to workplace friction. Using a Mediator When conflicts become too challenging to resolve within the team, bringing in a neutral third party, like a mediator, can help steer the conversation towards a productive outcome. Mediators play an important role by guiding discussions objectively, ensuring that both parties are heard and working towards a fair resolution. This is particularly valuable in situations where personal animosities arise or in more complex scenarios like redundancies and other significant organisational changes. Their expertise helps manage sensitive issues and fosters a collaborative environment for resolution. By encouraging team activities, recognising positive conflict resolution, promoting empathy and using mediators, when necessary, organisations can build stronger, more collaborative teams. These practices help create a supportive work environment where conflicts are resolved constructively, leading to improved teamwork and productivity.

Four Ways to Encourage Positive Conflict Resolution

February 18, 2025

Conflict is inevitable in any workplace, but with the right strategies in place, organisations can turn these challenges into opportunities for growth, collaboration and stronger keep reading

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Strategic Task Delegation: Using the BALM Model

February 13, 2025

Get the right people in the right places – explore how the BALM model can help you strategically assign tasks to team members, maximising efficiency keep reading

How Practice Managers Can Combat Low Morale

January 27, 2025

Is your team feeling a little flat? Workplace morale is a critical factor that influences employee engagement, performance and overall organisational success, particularly in high-stakes keep reading

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Giving the Gift of Time

December 16, 2024

Giving employees the gift of time—whether through flexible schedules, extra days off or opportunities for personal growth which can significantly enhance their wellbeing and productivity keep reading