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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: Leadership & Management

Four smiling people gather around a table with laptops and notebooks, demonstrating emotional intelligence as they collaborate in a bright office adorned with colourful abstract art. One person points at a laptop screen while others look on, engaged and supportive.

What does emotional intelligence mean for career development?

When you first apply for a role, you’re interviewed, largely, based on your intelligence – but how much attention do we give to emotional intelligence? Emotional intelligence is the subject of my next couple of blog posts. It can help an individual become the best at what they do, be the best colleague possible and

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Three people sit at a table in a modern, open-plan office with large windows, wooden cubicles, and ceiling lights, discussing career management and mentoring challenges. The space is bright and organised with mirrored panels featuring white graphic designs.

7 Career Management and Mentoring Challenges to Overcome in 2023

As we enter the third year since the pandemic started, we are seeing that the changes caused by COVID-19 are having a lasting impact in the workplace. In 2023, organisations will be more diverse, distributed and virtual than ever before. Organisations need to adapt to this changing world of work while addressing other challenges. Those

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Two women wearing blazers sit on a windowsill in an office, smiling and chatting. One woman holds a laptop, possibly discussing strategies for influencing your manager. Large windows reveal a building outside.

Managing Upwards: 8 tips for influencing your manager

In my blog post, Managing Upwards: How to make progress through influencing your supervisor, I introduced the subject of managing upwards. And I emphasised the importance of ‘Seek first to understand; then to be understood.’ In my last blog post, Managing Upwards: First you need to clearly understand your Manager, I shared some ideas on

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Two men in business suits stand by a large window in a modern office, smiling and looking at a mobile phone together—perhaps sharing tips on how to better understand your manager. An empty meeting table and chairs are in the foreground.

Managing Upwards: First you need to clearly understand your Manager

Managing upwards is one of the most valuable – yet often overlooked – career skills you can develop. It’s not about trying to curry favour or play politics. It’s about building a productive, respectful relationship with your manager so that you can both succeed. The starting point? As Stephen Covey famously said, “Seek first to

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Four people clasp each other's wrists, forming a connected circle with their hands, symbolising teamwork, trustworthiness, and unity. The background is blurred with office documents and supplies visible.

How to Build Trust at Work: Practical Strategies to Strengthen Your Leadership and Relationships

In today’s world of hybrid teams, burnout, and generational divides, trust isn’t just a “nice to have” — it’s a career necessity. Whether you’re a leader managing remote teams, an HR professional designing development programmes, or an employee navigating your own career path, trust is the glue that holds it all together. It’s also one of the

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A spiral staircase with beige steps and black railings, viewed from above. The curved handrail is light brown, and the stairwell forms a circular pattern—resembling career progression—leading down to a white floor and ceiling fan.

Career Development has changed. It’s time for a meaningful 21st century definition

Career progression – redefining career development.
What does career progression mean to you? If you had to create an image to represent career progression, what would it be?

I asked that very question in a webinar for a client recently and I received the following answers:

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A bunch of shiny blue balloons are gathered together in front of a white brick wall, with several white candles placed on the floor in the background.

9 Years of Celebration with Team AO

It’s been quite a year hasn’t it? But now, Spring is here, the sun has appeared and the UK is starting to come out of lockdown. There is an atmosphere of hope, and optimism. And Team AO is celebrating! 1 April 2021 is our 9th Birthday (and no, that’s not an April Fools spoof). So,

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A woman giving a high five to another woman, celebrating the connection between mentors and mentees.

How to Get Mentors and Mentees Excited About Your Mentoring Programme

This blog post continues our series, A Year in the Life of an Organisation’s Mentoring Programme. Team AO are working with a worldwide organisation to implement a programme of mentoring to develop the careers of junior female scientific researchers. In this series of blog posts, I am sharing with you how we went about delivering the

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25 Powerful Leadership Development Quotes to Grow Great Leaders

“The growth and development of people is the highest calling of leadership.” – Harvey S. Firestone In today’s fast-paced, hybrid, and often uncertain world of work, leadership development has never been more critical. HR and L&D leaders are grappling with new challenges – retention, burnout, multi-generational teams, and a growing skills gap. One thing remains

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