The Padfield Partnership Ltd

Leadership insights

Here, you can browse the Padfield Partnership library of articles and leadership insights. Please click the title/s below to find out more about each subject (dates are shown US-style). For further information, please visit ThePadfieldPartnership.com.

2016
Introducing action-centred leadership (7/21/2016)
Action-centred leadership proposes that a leader must focus on the needs of the individuals in the team, the needs of the team, and the needs of the task. "A manager will take six months to get to know his staff, but they will take only six days to get to know him." So says John Adair, whose simple 3 Circles Model we feature in the article below. This easy-to-remember model will help you balance your attention while you lead your team.
Are you at risk of burnout? (6/23/2016)
Having a strong desire to achieve can help you be very successful; but if it's not balanced it could put you at risk of burnout. I see clients who are incredibly hard-working. They push themselves to be successful in their career and their life, but some don't notice (or ignore it) when they feel tired and unwell, and end up functioning less than their best. This article looks at what you can do to recognise the warning signs, and maintain optimal health and performance.
Why you should celebrate your failures (5/19/2016)
Whatever you are trying to achieve, making progress naturally includes making mistakes. So it's important to celebrate 'failure', and reframe it as 'learning' and a healthy part of living a full life.
How your mindset can enable or limit you (4/28/2016)
Mindset is a key factor in informing your outlook and decision-making, and operates at the individual, team and organisational level. We explore this idea in this article, and explain how your mindset can enable rather than limit you.
Why it's okay to show emotion in the workplace (3/17/2016)
I recently attended a training course about neuroscience, and learnt more about what happens in the brain and how it impacts performance at work. I also keep coming across research and articles on this subject so it feels topical - this issue therefore summarises some of the fundamentals of the structure of the brain and its effect on our emotions and behaviour.
How (and why) to collaborate effectively (2/18/2016)
More than ever before, collaboration is encouraged to ensure the best thinking comes through and that organisations create an environment that enables people to fulfil their potential. That's why this month's issue looks at how to collaborate effectively in the workplace, giving you both theory and practical suggestions for you to apply.
Culture and why it matters (1/22/2016)
This month's article is from a client of mine, Gabrielle de Wardener: She works at Aimia, a data-driven marketing and analytics company which owns and operates loyalty programmes around the world. In her role as Culture and CSR Director, Gabrielle has introduced innovative and award-winning ways of delivering CSR in a meaningful way, and in this article she shares her approach and its impact.

2015
How to sustain change (11/19/2015)
Designing and planning for change takes much time and effort, only to find that the execution fails or the intended benefits are not realised. This newsletter looks at some of the things you can do to increase your chances of successfully leading personal or organisational change.
How to motivate employees today (10/15/2015)
This month, we focus on how to motivate employees in today's more complex world.
Personal branding (9/17/2015)
This month's newsletter is all about your personal brand. Don't think of yourself as an employee of the company you work for; imagine you are the CEO of yourself! Read on to understand why a personal brand is a good thing to have and how to establish yours.
Personality testing (7/23/2015)
In this month's issue, we focus on the use of psychometric testing in the recruitment and assessment of leaders, and introduce the five factor model of personality. We explore the Hogan tool that helps understand whether your job plays to your strengths.
Handling diversity (6/18/2015)
What do you think of when you hear the word 'diversity'? Maybe your mind goes immediately to issues such as race, gender, age, sexual orientation, physical ability and ethnicity. I hope by reading this newsletter it provides space for you to think beyond the usual interpretation of diversity and become aware of other aspects, to challenge you to consider if you have any unconscious bias, and to encourage you to create a safe climate for your people to speak up.
How improvisation helps with innovation and team effectiveness (5/21/2015)
Companies are becoming interested in using improvisation as a way to unleash creativity, and to help people become comfortable working in a more fluid environment. In this issue, we explore the main principles and show how you can apply them in the workplace.
Managing disruptive change (4/16/2015)
Disruptive change comes about when your industry faces complete upheaval. It could be driven by a small nifty competitor coming into your market and turning it upsidedown with new products or way of serving customers, or by new technology that renders your products obsolete. The way you approach disruptive change is critical to your success - you have to respond quickly and with a fresh approach in order to survive, let alone thrive. This newsletter gives you food for thought, with some of the latest thinking on the topic.
How to have courageous conversations (3/18/2015)
Q. Have an issue in a relationship (at work or home) that is troubling you?
Q. Have too much work to do but don't know how to tell your boss?
Q. Need to partner with someone on a project, but you fundamentally disagree about how to run it?
If so, you need to have a courageous conversation - a conversation where you express your true feelings and speak about the issues in order to resolve them. This newsletter provides some thoughts and tips to help you.
How to navigate office politics (2/26/2015)
This newsletter looks at office politics and suggests what you can do to minimise their negative impact.
How to find the courage to step out of your comfort zone (1/22/2015)
This newsletter focuses on the internal blocks that prevent you from achieving what you want. By identifying and working through them, you can gain the courage to step outside your comfort zone, and set yourself up for a successful and fulfilling 2015.

2014
Archetypes and what they mean for your journey through life (12/11/2014)
As it's drawing towards the end of the year, it's a good time to ask yourself what changes you want to make to take you to the next level. This newsletter focuses on Archetype Analysis - a model that shows us the circle of journeys we take through life and what we need to help us along the way.
The power of vulnerability (11/20/2014)
This month focuses on the power of vulnerability and how to use it at work in a safe and authentic way. It builds on research by Brené Brown, that I've summarised to apply in a work context.
Why use storytelling in business (10/16/2014)
When you are trying to convey a message, storytelling is a powerful tool to use. Stanford University research shows that retention of stats alone in a presentation are 5-10% - this rises to 65-70% when coupled with an anecdote. So this newsletter focuses on the power of storytelling in business
Tapping into social intelligence at work (9/18/2014)
According to psychologist Howard Gardner, there are eight "signs" of intelligence. In this newsletter, we look at social intelligence and how to apply it in the world of work.
The Power of Networking (7/24/2014)
Networking is a powerful way to help you be successful, contribute to your profession, manage your career, and help others. It is important to build a strong network both within your organisation and externally. This newsletter shares the benefits of networking and gives some top tips on how to do it effectively.
How to develop executive presence (6/19/2014)
Developing executive presence is an important skill at senior management levels - it's a set of behaviours that can be learned. So, if you don't feel you have executive presence, you can develop it. This newsletter looks at the characteristics of executive presence, and helps you identify which strengths and areas you could develop.
Mindfulness and what it means for you (5/22/2014)
This newsletter focuses on mindfulness as a form of meditation that helps deal with stress, improve happiness and boost productivity. Practicing mindfulness will help you deal with the complexities and pace of life today - many senior executives use meditation to take care of their mind and enable a state of wellbeing, so you'll be in familiar company!
Models for decision-making (4/24/2014)
There are many decision-making models for a work setting - the most well-known is probably the rational approach recommended by Kepner-Tregoe. The downside is the time it takes to collect and analyse all the data, plus the risk of information overload. We shouldn't ignore the data, but we should put it into perspective and learn to rely more on experience and gut feel to make decisions. In this newsletter, we focus on decision-making models that are simple and practical to use.
Entrepreneurial thinking (3/20/2014)
The speed of change, global economy, and emerging markets mean that organisations have to keep pace or quickly become obsolete. To do this companies need to innovate, so, this month, we focus on how to embed a culture of entrepreneurial thinking into your company.
How to handle the first 100 days in a new role (2/27/2014)
The first 100 days in a new role are a great opportunity. Read on for some thoughts that will help, whether you are moving on yourself, or have just appointed a new direct report.
Comparing career management for women and men (1/23/2014)
This newsletter builds on last month's issue about managing your career, by comparing the different approaches to career development for men and women, including a valuable message from one of my clients.

2013
How to manage your career (12/18/2013)
In this issue, we look at the career environment today, what the organisation can do to enable career development for its people, and what you can do yourself to develop your career.
Introducing Appreciative Inquiry (11/21/2013)
Change can be difficult because it is often being done TO us rather than WITH us, which drains our energy. Appreciative Inquiry (AI) is a way to involve as many people as possible in the change process, collaboratively, and in a way that develops the future based on what is already working. This newsletter explores the principles of AI and provides you with some practical tips.
How to promote the work of your department (10/24/2013)
As an individual or a department in a big organisation, you often need to stand out from the crowd and get noticed to be valued, and to help get the resources you need to deliver and evolve your work. It also helps the people in your department to feel motivated to 'go the extra mile', and to attract talented new people, if they are in a team that is recognised and talked about. So, this month, we look at how and why to promote the work of your department.
How to use body language to create rapport (9/27/2013)
Your non-verbal communication influences how other people behave and respond to you. So this month's newsletter builds on the last issue about influencing skills, by focusing on how to use body language to create rapport and develop yourself.
How to improve your influencing skills (7/18/2013)
Much of leadership is about influencing other people's behaviour. But how do you do it most effectively? My thanks go to my client, Pascal Feidt from Syngenta, who contributed much of the material for this month's article.
Speaking out - why, when and how (6/21/2013)
Here in the UK, there has been a series of recent scandals including the financial industry, celebrities, the media, and the health service. It made me wonder what was the root cause, why these things continue to happen, what lessons we can learn, and what you - as a leader or individual in an organisation - can do about it. This newsletter addresses these issues.
How to manage your energy, not your time (5/23/2013)
Time is a limited resource, but energy is a renewable resource. These days, many people seem to be working longer and longer hours, so this issue shares some ideas on how to manage your energy.
Dealing with ambiguity (4/18/2013)
I have had several conversations recently with my clients who are asking: "How do I deal with ambiguity?" Some seem to find it easier or more comfortable than others. This issue looks at which skills you need, and provides some tips and research to help you deal with ambiguity.
Secrets of charismatic leadership (3/21/2013)
Leaders I work with often aspire to be 'charismatic'. We all recognise a charismatic leader, but how many of us can describe what they actually do to earn that title? Inspired by an article I read in Harvard Business Review, this newsletter attempts to describe the common traits of charismatic leaders, so you can identify which you already have, and which you might want to develop.
Positive psychology (2/21/2013)
Positive psychology is defined as 'the scientific study of optimal human functioning, that aims to discover and promote the factors that make people thrive and flourish'. I've recently done a course on this fascinating subject, and have included the most relevant findings below.
Organisational development (part 2) (1/24/2013)
Last month's newsletter focused on the who, why and how of developing your organisation, and included 11 useful steps. This month builds on those ideas by giving you a detailed process for steps three, four and five that you can follow with your leadership team.

2012
Organisational development (part 1) (12/13/2012)
This month, I bring you the first in a short series of newsletters that focus on developing your organisation. The ideas and tips should be useful whether you lead a whole organisation or a team within an organisation.
How to develop resilience and cope with stress (11/22/2012)
Absence from work due to stress and mental illness costs the UK economy over £30bn per annum, and absenteeism from stress is on the increase. The UK is not alone, as many countries experience the same upward trend. Many of my clients report increasing levels of stress within their organisation, while employee surveys show many people are struggling to maintain their work:life balance. So this issue includes practical tips to help you develop resilience and other ways to cope with stress.
How to develop your confidence (10/18/2012)
A common factor that concerns leaders is negative thoughts around their capabilities: they can lack self-belief. Some people mask a lack of confidence by focusing their energy on achievement - they get their self-worth from what they've achieved rather than by being happy in themselves. So this month's issue includes theory, quotes and practical tips to help you develop your confidence.
Global teams (9/20/2012)
When you lead a global team, you can't have informal conversations in the corridor or over coffee. It's therefore important to put time and effort into having clear goals and governance and to build good relationships and formal communication channels.
Handling conflict (8/23/2012)
As you have probably noticed, people each have a different way of looking at the world, and conflict is inevitable. So, this month, we look at ways to handle conflict in the workplace. I hope you find these ideas and tips useful.
Why and how to improve your coaching skills (7/19/2012)
This month, we look at coaching skills as a method of helping you optimise the performance and long term potential of your people.
How to build trust - the core of all relationships (6/21/2012)
This month, we look at how to build trust: the core of all relationships. I've recently read The Speed of Trust: The One Thing That Changes Everything by Stephen Covey (son of the author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People) because clients from two different companies recommended it to me. I found the book informative and practical, and have drawn out some key observations that you might find useful. I also invited my client, Fiona Wright, Sales Director LEGO UK to add her comments
Creating a values-driven organisation (5/24/2012)
These days, we have to be much more conscious of the importance of values at work. Values impact your relationship with employees, partners and customers, as well as your company's purpose and its place in the world. So, this month, we look at creating a values-driven organisation to leverage competitive advantage and provide a meaningful place for your employees to work.
Employee engagement (4/19/2012)
Did you know that positively engaging with your employees will increase productivity in your business and give you a real return on the bottom line? Did you know the number one reason why people leave a company is because of their relationship with their boss? Replacing people is far more costly than taking action to retain them, with the cost of turnover calculated as 1.5 to 3 x base salary. So, this month, we look at ways to engage your employees for their personal growth and the growth of the company.
How to create time to think, for yourself and others (3/23/2012)
These days, the leaders I work with all seem busier than ever. Often with back-to-back meetings, they have no time to think all day. So, this month, we explore the power of making time to think, for yourself and others.
What's the role of the leader? (2/16/2012)
Find out how your actions and behaviours can impact the rest of the organisation and generate sustained results.
Emotionally Intelligent Teams (1/20/2012)
Emotionally intelligent behaviours underpin successful teams - they are the glue that enables teams to consistently achieve their purpose. So, this month, we build on the six main behaviours displayed by emotionally intelligent teams.

2011
High Performing Leadership Teams (12/15/2011)
High performing teams outperform even the most talented individuals; the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. So, this month, we look at the components that make up a high-performing leadership team. They cover what you are trying to accomplish as well as the behaviours that effective leaders exhibit.
Innovation (11/24/2011)
This month, Dr. Patrick Smith of Roche shares key learnings about innovation that he gained from a programme run by the London Business School.
Leadership Agility compass (10/27/2011)
This month, you can learn more about the leadership agility 'compass'. This diagram shows the competencies and capacities that leaders need in order to be successful, especially in the current turbulent environment.
Introducing Leadership Agility (9/29/2011)
In this issue, I introduce you to Leadership Agility by Bill Joiner and Stephen Josephs - described as "the master competency needed for sustained success in today's complex, fast-paced business environment."

The Padfield Partnership Ltd
The Padfield Partnership Ltd
Woking, Surrey GU21 7SA
+44 (0)1276 485754