A woman with straight brown hair, wearing a black shirt and blue jeans, sits on a white sofa, smiling and holding open magazines on her lap 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.

Newsletter sign up

Blog: Leadership & Management

Two women, both managers, sit at a table in a bright café, smiling and talking. Sunlight streams through large windows as they discuss strategies to boost growth, creating a warm, cheerful atmosphere.

August 4, 2025

Career Conversations That Work: How Managers Can Boost Growth, Loyalty, and Performance

When I think back to my early days as a manager, I wish someone had told me how powerful career conversations could be.

A businessperson in a suit stacks wooden blocks in a stair shape, with

June 9, 2025

The 8 Stages of a Great Career Conversation

A Practical Guide for Having a Great Career Conversation for Employees, L&D Teams, and Leaders Have you ever walked into a career conversation and felt a little…unsure? Unsure what to say. Unsure what to ask. Unsure how to help someone move forward. You’re not alone. Whether you’re an employee preparing for your next career step,

March 24, 2025

What Will Your Leadership Legacy Be?

Reflections for International Leadership Week Leadership isn’t just about the position you hold or the goals you achieve – it’s about the lasting impact you leave behind. As we celebrate International Leadership Week (ILW) and explore this year’s theme of “Lasting Legacies,” it’s the perfect opportunity to reflect on the imprint we leave on our

A woman in business attire stands before a wall with a drawn maze, tracing a red solution path—symbolising the strategic navigation of High-Potential Talent from entrance to exit with her finger.

February 10, 2025

When the Pipeline Overflows: How to Engage High-Potential Talent When Roles Are Limited

Many organisations rightly focus on creating robust talent pipelines to ensure a steady flow of future leaders. However, a challenge arises when there is more high-potential talent in the pipeline than available roles. This can lead to disengagement, frustration, and even attrition among top talent. So, how do you keep these individuals motivated and committed

January 12, 2025

Top 10 Blogs of 2024: Career Development and Mentoring Insights

As 2025 kicks off with gusto, we’re reflecting on the top 10 blogs of 2024 that inspired and informed our thousands of readers. From embracing growth mindsets to learning career lessons from Ted Lasso, these posts clearly resonated with people across the globe. They sparked conversations, inspired growth, and helped professionals across industries navigate career

Two people sit at a desk and video chat with a smiling woman on a computer screen, discussing Managing Careers in a Hybrid Workforce. Papers, keyboard, and office supplies are visible on the desk in this modern office setting.

October 29, 2024

What Companies Can Learn About Managing Careers in a Hybrid Workforce

The pandemic has brought about a paradigm shift in how we work, and the ripple effects are being felt globally. While some countries and organisations have been pushing for a return to the traditional office setup, many others are embracing a hybrid or remote-first approach. Ted Ladd’s article “Employee Retention and Career Growth in a

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

November 22, 2023

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.

October 16, 2023

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 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

August 17, 2023

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

1 2 3 Next