When organisations talk about leadership development, the conversation often jumps straight to programme design—content, workshops, facilitators, delivery. But before any of that matters, one question determines whether the investment will actually shift performance: are we selecting the right people at the right time?  

At our recent Leadership Development Network, hosted by David Mason and Clive Martlew, we explored the idea of alignment in leadership development.

In a candid interview with Dr Susan Reid Elder at Robert Gordon University, Laurence offered a treasure trove of wisdom gleaned from his...

“The reflective path towards professionalism is slippery like soap." Struck by Schaepkens’ (2021) statement I thought it would be helpful to

By Clive Martlew Many of us would like to reflect more and reflect more deeply for personal growth. But it's sometimes difficult just to find the time or energy to step back and to discover real insights through intentional reflection. Generally I’m not a fan of quick fixes (“five things”, “ten habits” and so on!) but for those wanting to start or reboot their reflective practice for the coming year here are my “top tips.” Create a rhythm and schedule some time for reflection

How do we learn? I’ve been reading the excellent Make it Stick: The Science of Successful Learning by Brown, Roediger and McDaniel

The recent pandemic years have concertinaed changes that would normally have taken years into months. Projects that business leaders' thought were not possible were found to be possible after all due to the amount of collaboration that took place, a bit ironic given most team members were remotely located. Productivity increased as people had more time due to less travel and shorter meetings. Many companies were checking on their employees’ wellbeing for the first time, makin

This is part one of a three part blog series. Values today are a widely documented and often revered “must have” management tool and it’s rare to come across a transformational change agenda that doesn’t involve a significant role for meaningful, differentiating values. Alistair Brown worked with Johnson and Johnson in the late 70’s at the time of the famous Tylenol crisis and experienced at first-hand how J&J’s values ( Known then as the J&J Credo ) contributed to the key de

My Crossing the River of Rapid Transition model is a memorable ‘top-level’ visual image which is helping organisational leaders

By Anne Houston, Senior Associate Consultant Are we in a battle or a war? Who or what is the enemy and what will victory look like? How does the VUCA leadership model (developed originally by the US Army in response to the Gulf War) offer insights on what we need to draw on as people and as leaders in this current crisis? COVID-19 definitely meets the definition of a VUCA environment; V olatile, U ncertain, C omplex, A mbiguous. In responding to this external environment, Joh

By Alistair Brown, Principal Consultant If you’re feeling disorientated and unsure of how to lead right now, then you’re not alone. This is clearly a defining time for leaders and I would like to share some reflections on what you can do to stay grounded, adapt and ready yourself for some unique challenges and tough choices as you journey through huge overlapping transitions. Even before Covid, Brexit, climate change, growing nationalism and super power global trading tensio

Written by Taylor Clarke Senior Associate Consultant Mark Adderley Let’s admit it, we have all watched The Apprentice, and thought about the leadership style on display: cut throat,; competitive; determined and harsh, and wondered “does it work in reality”, or “can I be like that”? And we have seen some harsh and aggressive behaviours from those affected by COVID-19. Or maybe some of us think, “I can’t be like that I’m just not able to have the hard conversations, I am just

By Clive Martlew, Senior Consultant I’ve been reflecting on how to best support my community of OD and leadership development professionals and worrying a bit about how those of us who work on leadership development can be helpful at the moment. We’re in a time of radical uncertainty. Our leadership skills, assumptions and values are all being challenged. Not just at work but in our personal and family lives. It’s a time of anxiety but also, potentially, a crucible for learn

Mindfulness in Business and Leadership by Susan Grandfield.

By Pauline Holland, Principal Consultant In a previous blog (https://www.taylorclarke.co.uk/post/problems-of-presence-for-female-leaders)...

Poems (and People) Feel the emotion Confused ambiguity Searching for meaning At our January Friday afternoon gathering of colleagues and...

Taylor Clarke's next Women in Leadership session will take place on the 20th of March at House of an Art Lover in Glasgow.

Taylor Clarke consultant Sarah Ballantyne discusses what women do to enable each successive generation to get closer to gender equality.

Bookings now open Date: 20th September 2019, 9.30-4.30 Venue: 4 Fitzroy Place, Glasgow, G3 7RH Price: £368.75 (inclusive of VAT) BOOK NOW...

By Laurence Clarke In terms of ‘Leadership Development’, there is a profusion of consultants and strategies out there. Every other week,...