Skip to content
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.

Get these insights delivered to your inbox by signing up for our newsletter.

Blog: Career Development

A person in business attire holds a tablet with the word

The Power of Upskilling and Reskilling in Today’s Workplace

In today’s rapidly changing job market, staying ahead of the curve is crucial for career growth and job security. The terms “upskilling” and “reskilling” have become buzzwords in the professional world, and for good reason. These concepts represent the keys to unlocking new opportunities and thriving in a dynamic workplace environment. In this blog post,

A person sits at a desk holding a pamphlet, looking at a laptop screen displaying a video call with slides titled

Certified Facilitator Training: Everything You Need to Know About Our Open Programme

Why Become a Certified Facilitator?  In today’s business world, organisations need to take a new approach to career management. It is no longer realistic for organisations to offer lifetime security to employees. Nor is it realistic to expect lifetime commitment from them. More than ever, the organisation-employee relationship is a partnership. Career management strategies need

A person in a suit holds out their hand, with glowing floating cubes and digital light effects emanating above their palm—symbolising futuristic promotions in a dark, high-tech setting.

Unlocking Promotions: Understanding the Factors Organisations and Managers Consider

Do your employees ever wonder about the secret to securing that coveted promotion? It’s a question that frequently comes up in my conversations with managers. Career advancement is a common goal for many, and promotions are a tangible symbol of an employee’s skills, dedication, and potential within an organisation. However, promoting someone isn’t just about

A woman with short curly hair, wearing a sleeveless black top and pearl earrings, stands indoors with a black bag over her shoulder, boosting confidence as she looks ahead. The background is bright and blurred.

Practical Techniques for Boosting Confidence: A Guide to Unleashing Your Potential

Confidence is a cornerstone of success, not only in your career but also in life. That was one of the points I made in my last blog post, ‘Understanding the Foundations of Self-Confidence‘. But, let’s be honest, it’s not always easy to maintain a high level of confidence, especially when challenges rear their ugly heads.

A person’s hand draws an upward-curving arrow labelled

Understanding the Foundations of Self-Confidence: A Guide to Empowering Your Career and Life

Have you ever pondered what makes some individuals excel effortlessly in their careers, while others seem to struggle despite having the same qualifications? The answer might be simpler than you think: self-confidence. Self-confidence is not just about “feeling good”; it’s a fundamental cornerstone for personal and professional growth. It’s about believing in your ability to

A person in a suit holds a silver compass in their hand, the needle pointing southeast—symbolising strategies for success. The blurred, dark background draws attention to the hand and compass as the image’s focal points.

Navigating a Nonlinear Career Path: Strategies for Success

In today’s rapidly changing professional landscape, a linear career path is becoming increasingly rare. In our last blog post we discussed the benefits of the non-linear career route where many individuals find themselves embarking on nonlinear journeys, embracing diverse roles, industries, and opportunities. While this flexibility offers exciting prospects, it can also be challenging to

A close-up of a winding, curvy white line on a paved road or path, surrounded by scattered debris and blurred edges, evokes the abstract, zigzag pattern of a non-linear career path.

Embracing the Zigzag Route: Unveiling the Hidden Benefits and Power of Adaptability in a Nonlinear Career Path

In today’s rapidly evolving professional landscape, the traditional notion of a linear career path is gradually giving way to a more dynamic and flexible approach. The concept of taking a zigzag route, characterized by deliberate diversions and unexpected detours, is gaining traction among individuals seeking fulfilment and growth. Contrary to conventional wisdom, a nonlinear career

A man with short brown hair and a beard smiles at the camera, wearing a colourful jacket with blue, black, yellow, and white stripes. The blurred background features large white text reading

What Ted Lasso Can Teach Us About Leadership and Career Development

As a professional speaker and career development specialist, I’ve seen how the simplest messages often resonate the most. And few characters deliver simple wisdom better than Ted Lasso. When it comes to leadership, career conversations and people development, Ted may be a fictional football coach – but his insights are very real. They reflect the

Four people sit at a conference table with laptops and notepads, participating in a video call with a person displayed on a monitor—reflecting the collaborative nature of today’s hybrid workplace in a bright, modern office.

Gaining Visibility in a Hybrid Workplace: Why It Matters and How to Achieve It

I have the enormous pleasure of delivering monthly Career Labs for our client UNDP.  Last month, the subject of the Career Lab was ‘How to Gain Visibility in a Hybrid Workplace.’ It’s so important and relevant to working life today that I thought I’d make it the subject of my latest blog post. In today’s evolving corporate