Turbocharging Performance masterclass lifts off
As a global community, we all have a laser-like focus on how to achieve business success through our people. People are at the heart of a business and this requires us to find, keep, upskill, and deploy people globally in the most effective ways possible.
This article is taken from the Summer 2024 issue of
Think Global People magazine
Click on the cover to access the digital edition.In keeping with these objectives, the Turbocharging Performance masterclass, held in April at Henley Business School and trailed in the ‘Think Global People’ special global leadership supplement, aimed to be a groundbreaking, immersive experience for everyone attending.Turbocharging Performance was hosted by Amira Kohler, from People Stuff, alongside Dr Phil Renshaw and Dr Jenny Robinson, from Coaching On The Go. They brought together some of the brightest and most curious business minds to explore how organisations could turbocharge business performance and optimise their talent through new thinking and progressive leadership. We caught up with Amira, Jenny and Phil to hear about the Masterclass and some of its key takeaways.
Key themes from the Turbocharging Performance masterclass
One test of success for any event is whether those who didn’t manage to attend felt they missed out. Many global people managers have asked us, “How did it go?” and “What did I miss?” Here we bring you some highlights and key outcomes.Read related articles
- Turbocharging performance: creating spaces to thrive
- Pay and rewards: a high-performance approach
- Harnessing AI for best-in-class performance management
- Effective leadership strategies
- Cultivating a mindset of wellbeing and optimal performance
- Combining leadership skills with business acumen
AI and ethics
Open any news or social media platform and you’ll be aware that AI is here to stay and destined to change the world irrevocably. Most of us know that much, but Stuart Hearn, HR tech entrepreneur, board adviser and start-up mentor, in 25 short minutes blew the doors off the possible impact of future technology and AI. He demonstrated a number of earth-shattering technologies that are set to rock the business and HR world, revealing how they will impact our workplaces forever. Stuart opened our eyes to the wider philosophical and practical aspects of AI and its impact on the future of work. He recommended people need to be continuously asking themselves and their organisations the ‘why’ behind the expanding use of AI; asking ‘why’ they wanted to use AI and what value it would bring to their organisations, their people and our wider society.Stuart made it clear that as an HR tech entrepreneur and investor, he sees huge potential for future technology to improve the world of work. But he also believes HR professionals and leaders must be demanding of both software providers and themselves to make responsible, ethical and people-driven decisions about the deployment of AI. It was the perfect event-opening speech, setting the scene for two days of energised discussion across a range of fascinating leadership topics.Performance management and new diagnostic approaches
Continuing with the theme of ‘why’, Amira used her deep expertise in performance management to help participants examine their prevailing assumptions of performance and the differing approaches. She briefly recounted the origins of performance management in Ford’s Model T factory when processes were built for a time when organisations were slower-paced, predictable and hierarchical. Amira also demonstrated how this legacy still forms the basis of too many performance management approaches today, which explains why it is often cited as the single-most disliked and dysfunctional HR process. Participants then used the Turbocharging Performance Diagnostic Tool to examine the appropriateness of their approach in light of their unique organisational culture and circumstances. The discussion ensured that ideas were practical and applicable. Several participants noted the deeply held assumptions currently constraining innovative decisions in their HR practices and workplaces.Wellbeing and leadership
Another highlight was a talk by LaBarron Burwell, wellness expert and mental hygiene advocate with Hol Fruit Consulting and the University of Virginia. LaBarron lit up the room with an impactful and inspiring talk about the connections between wellbeing, performance and leadership. LaBarron led us through a brilliant and immersive mental health hygiene exercise where we learned critical techniques to enhance our mental hygiene and create positive self-directed practices. Participants gained some practical tools and practice to stay mentally fit and healthy. Issues of culture and wellness naturally led to the discussion of leadership and how people up and down the organisation set the relational tone for work. Phil and Jenny helped participants to understand that not everyone who bears a top title exhibits leadership and, conversely, it is not important to hold a top title to be a leader. In disentangling ideas of leaders and leadership they were able to demonstrate that everyone can be a leader. Then, against this idea of everyone contributing to leadership, they explored the skills of being a leader-who-coaches.Judging the success of the Turbocharging Performance masterclass
It was interesting for us to reflect on what we had achieved with the masterclass and critique our successes against our original aims. We knew we wanted to gather an incredible roster of global experts to speak and contribute to the masterclass on a range of pressing subjects affecting performance, talent and leadership. And we succeeded. We were delighted to attract amazing speakers who opened our eyes and widened our perspectives, including:- Josephina Smith, reward director, British Airways
- Dr Duncan Brown, independent adviser, author and professor
- Emma Loisel, owner and CEO of Volcano Coffee, board adviser and investor
- Deborah Frost, entrepreneur, turnaround CEO, non-executive and board adviser.
View the Turbocharging Performance supplement in the Spring 2024 issue of
Think Global People magazine
Click on the cover to access the digital edition.Read about award-winning global mobility, leadership and education in the upcoming Summer issue of Think Global People magazine, with the teams and organisations being celebrated in the Relocate Think Global People Awards 2024. Secure your copy here.
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