EX Leadership Newsletter - April 2024
Fulfilment - Middle out - Future of EX - Hybrid - Trust & distrust
It’s definitely spring in London. The City feels busy again. Trains are packed, pubs are full, and there are long queues at Greggs (even on a Monday).
There are some key topics I’m tackling with clients at the moment, including a “re-focusing” on engagement and ongoing concerns with wellbeing. I’m also helping several clients understand employees’ needs when it comes to benefits. Pay transparency is another priority.
In this edition of my newsletter, I’ve included articles on AI, culture, EX, and flexible working. There’s also a new piece from me on trust. I hope you enjoy them all.
Here goes:
First up is this article by Tonille Miller on three ways “Humans Can Stay Ahead of the AI Curve” by developing “power skills” (like creativity) and by focusing on purpose, and fulfilment. I really enjoyed it.
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/3-ways-humans-can-stay-ahead-ai-curve-tonille-miller-szque/
I also like this article by Spencer Harrison & Kristie Rogers on building culture from the middle out. Middle managers are often absent from discussions of culture change except as “blockers” or “resistors”. I like the positive focus here on engaging middle managers to enrich your culture transformation.
https://sloanreview.mit.edu/article/building-culture-from-the-middle-out/
Ken Oehler was my colleague at Towers Perrin and I always enjoy his insights. His new research on trust at work is a great read. He focuses on relationships and how to design intentionally for a network of trusted connections.
https://www.radiclwork.com/workplace-trust-imperative
Another person I’ve followed for a long time is Dieter Veldsman of AIHR whose latest report on the future of EX is useful. It includes an “EX Capability Health Diagnostic” that has sensible questions in it such as: Is your EX strategy aligned with the business and people strategies? Are the EX focus areas and priorities clear? Is it clear how EX impact will be measured?
https://www.aihr.com/blog/future-of-employee-experience/
I’ve been lucky to see Cisco up close and I thought this practical guide to hybrid working by Kelly Jones (Chief People Officer) is very grounded. The findings of their workplace survey are similar to projects that I’ve run recently as it reveals the importance of listening, flexibility, and supporting managers.
Finally, I’ve written an article on trust at work. Specifically, I’ve been musing on the idea that the drivers of distrust are different from those of high team-trust and require different strategies as a result. Let me know what you make of it!
https://medium.com/@nickl4/trust-and-distrust-56073690ce2e
I hope you find these pieces useful.
Just drop me a line if you have any questions.
Best wishes,
Nick