27 Oct 2021
A dog reclining on a sofa in comfy lounge wear with a television remote control

‘All our life, so far as it has definite form, is but a mass of habits.’ – William James, 1892 Habits shape our lives – often more than we realise. In uncertain or fast-changing times, understanding these automatic behaviours becomes even more important. Charles Duhigg, in The Power of…

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08 Sep 2021
Person with a mask on to protect from viruses standing in front of a bus in a city

During the first coronavirus lockdown last year, the government spent millions urging people to avoid public bus transport. Unsurprisingly, people stayed home and stopped travelling on our buses and trains. Now, as we emerge from the restrictions imposed by Covid-19, how do we reverse that message? How do we…

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09 Aug 2021
Person standing on a platform as a train and people pass by, giving a sense of isolation amongst busy places.

Long before we understood what a “lockdown” meant, loneliness had already taken hold. In 2019, before the global pandemic disrupted our lives, experts had already identified a loneliness epidemic due to a lack of connection. A YouGov survey revealed that nearly half of UK adults felt lonely at least…

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03 Aug 2021
A used car salesman pointing at the camera and making cringy gestures to represent an inauthentic sales experience

What’s the first word that pops into your head when you hear “sales”? If your answer sounds like “pushy”, “smarmy”, or just plain “ugh”, you’re not alone. Daniel Pink, author of To Sell is Human, asked people the same question—and most responded with negative emotions. No surprise there. For…

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08 Jun 2021
Colourful post it notes with different expressions which represent emotions

Emotions are key to what makes us human, but are your employees emotionally aware? If not, it’s time to invest in emotional intelligence training. Professor Marc Brackett, a leading authority on self-awareness and emotional intelligence, puts it simply:“Our emotions are an important source of information about what’s going on inside…

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10 May 2021
Two cogs together, one with the word customised and the other with the word training

Many professionals underestimate just how much time and expertise go into creating impactful training. At Understood, we specialise in high-quality, bespoke trainer development programmes, and we know from experience that effective learning design doesn’t happen overnight. “Investment in course design can add up to a great deal of time.”…

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07 May 2021
Coffee mug with a smiley face in the bubbles of a drink on a blue background.

 Organisations that elevate the human experience will be better positioned to create more meaningful connections, foster loyalty, and drive growth. – Deloitte Now more than ever, organisations must focus on human connection. In this time of turbulence and uncertainty, businesses need to rise to the challenge of meeting the…

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19 Apr 2021
Orange kites flying away on a blue background

Training and trainers always plays a vital role in organisations because employees constantly need to learn new skills and knowledge. While relevant, effective, and engaging content is essential, the trainer’s quality – and their personal qualities – ultimately shapes the learner’s experience. So, WHO delivers your training? A dedicated…

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24 Mar 2021
who are you question written on a napkin with a cup of coffee

Understanding personality often marks the first step towards lasting behaviour change. Yet with countless tests and questionnaires available, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed when choosing a personality model that truly delivers value. The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) remains widely used, especially in large organisations. However, many experts in personality…

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16 Jan 2021
Four lightbulbs with one number in each which spells 2021

“To truly facilitate learning for others, trainers must understand their learners.” – Elaine Biech, The Art & Science of Training When training is being conducted, a solid grasp of the subject matter is essential. However, knowledge cannot be effectively imparted unless an understanding of the learners and their true…

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