Antoinette Oglethorpe author of the COMPASS Journal blog, wearing a black shirt and blue jeans, sits smiling on a white sofa with magazines and papers spread out in front of her in a bright, minimalist room.

The Compass Journal: Navigating Careers & Leadership

Fresh thinking for forward-focused organisations

Explore practical insights, thought leadership, and real-world stories on career development, leadership, and the evolving world of work. Each article is designed to spark ideas and support you in creating a culture where people and performance thrive.

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Blog: Career Conversations

A man sits at a table, resting his chin on his fist and looking thoughtful—perhaps pondering questions to ask someone about their career. Above his head are sketches of light bulbs, with one large bulb symbolising inspiration.

September 22, 2017

5 Powerful Questions to Ask Someone About Their Career

Do you work with employees who are unsure how to articulate their ambitions? Career development conversations are an ideal opportunity to help them think creatively about their future success. I have some powerful questions to ask someone about their career. They will help them think about their future and open up possibilities. They are the

Two people stand indoors, facing each other and having a conversation. One is a woman in a light blue blouse, the other a man in a light blue shirt and tie. They appear engaged in discussing career development questions to ask employees.

September 13, 2017

Practical Career Development Questions to Ask Employees

Are you looking for career development questions to ask employees and develop your best people? If so, you’re not alone. The most frequently asked questions in our Confident Career Conversations Workshops relate to tools. Questions like: “What effective tools could I use in my career conversations?” “Are there any particular tools you use that lead

Two women sit together indoors; one looks at a tablet while the other, holding a folder and pen, smiles at her. They appear to be engaged in a friendly, informal career development discussion.

August 30, 2017

What happens in a career development discussion?

Recently, a client asked for my help with training their managers to have a career development discussion. They wanted employees to take charge of their own career management but managers lacked skills and experience. The managers were nervous of initiating a career development discussion because: They felt they didn’t have enough time They lacked confidence

A woman wearing a yellow jacket sits at a desk, holding her glasses in one hand and rubbing her eyes with the other, appearing tired—perhaps reflecting on talent development mistakes in an office setting.

August 28, 2015

My Biggest Talent Development Mistake

Talent Development Mistakes – Have you ever made them? I have a confession to make. Even with decades of talent development experience, I have, in the past, let my own employees down. Talent Development Mistakes | How Career Conversations can Help I’ll never forget the time one of my best employees, Roby, asked to see me.

Antoinette Oglethorpe in a blue dress smiles and gestures while leading career conversations round a table with laptops and papers, engaging with a person in the foreground.

March 26, 2015

How to Engage Employees Through Career Conversations

At the beginning of 2015, a large financial services organisation contacted me to ask for help with how to engage employees through career conversations. They wanted to upskill their in-house coaches with the skills to talk to employees about their careers. They had a pool of about 40 managers who make up their internal coaching

Illustration of a woman breaking the large word

March 2, 2015

How to Remove Fear from Career Conversations With Employees

It’s no wonder managers can find it hard to have career conversations with employees. Time pressures, office politics and egos can all get in the way. We all know it’s good to talk. But, let’s face it. Opening up a conversation about a sensitive issue like career progression can weigh heavily on even the most

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