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Why people fail at conflict resolution

Why people fail at conflict resolution

Conflict in the workplace can happen – particularly when passionate people have opposing ideas. But the approach to resolving conflict, while simple, is often overlooked. During a recent leadership course, the trainer said very matter-of-factly that “an issue isn’t an issue until it is communicated.” He gave the example of an employee sitting in a pod of desks, who was annoyed by the regular sighs of one of his colleagues. Yet instead of raising it with that colleague, he broached the subject with other colleagues sitting nearby.Before long, the entire office was betting on how many times their colleague would sigh in a given day – all while he remained blissfully unaware of the distraction he was creating. Click here…
Dr Neil Thompson
June 1, 2017
Supportive management is key to creating mentally healthy workplaces

Supportive management is key to creating mentally healthy workplaces

Most of us spend on average a third of our adult life at work – unsurprisingly, our relationships at work and our work environment are crucial to our overall wellbeing. A supportive workplace can play a vital role in recovery, and provide security, structure, social connection, and a sense of purpose for an employee. In fact, having a supportive manager or supervisor is the most crucial factor in remaining or returning to work with a mental health condition. Supporting someone in your workplace can be tricky. It can be hard to know what to say or do if a colleague or an employee discloses a mental health condition to you. And it can be daunting for employees thinking about whether…
Dr Neil Thompson
June 1, 2017
Children need to be in the right mental state to learn effectively

Children need to be in the right mental state to learn effectively

There is a crisis in mental health for young people. Services are operating in silos and they are not working for over-tested, overstressed young people. Much emphasis has been placed on teenagers with low self-esteem, with behavioural and emotional issues and how we can support them. At Water Hall primary school in Milton Keynes, we believe in the need to identify and address these issues early to be able to implement intervention strategies as soon as possible. Taking action early enables vulnerable children to rebuild their self-esteem and take responsibility for their emotions, behaviour and learning. The outcome will be that they re-engage with education, perform well and are confident and happy young people. Click here to read more
Dr Neil Thompson
June 1, 2017
Coping with Cancer ebook

Coping with Cancer ebook

The Cancer Challenge: Coping with Cancer When Someone You Love is Diagnosed by Hannah Mann Learning that someone you love has cancer can be a devastating experience. It can generate a wide range of emotions and leave you quite unsure about what to do. You will want to be supportive, of course. But what will help? What are the things you shouldn’t do in case they are perceived as unhelpful or inappropriate? This practical guide helps you to think through the issues involved.  Click here to read more
Dr Neil Thompson
May 18, 2017
Neil Thompson’s Lesson for Living – Connect with Music

Neil Thompson’s Lesson for Living – Connect with Music

There are very many people who love music and count it as an important part of their lives. It brings them considerable joy. However, there are far more people who never seem to ‘connect’ with music – it plays little or no part in their lives. This may be because they have yet to come across the type of music that really suits them. For example, somebody who would love smooth jazz who has only ever come across bland pop music and a few bits and pieces of classical music may never fully appreciate what music can offer if they have never encountered what suits them. Similarly, someone who is brought up in a household where smooth jazz is widely…
Dr Neil Thompson
May 18, 2017
Judge criticises ‘inhuman’ separation of elderly couples

Judge criticises ‘inhuman’ separation of elderly couples

Separating elderly couples against their wishes when one or both move to care homes must end, Britain's most senior family judge has said. Sir James Munby said it was "simply inhumanity" that couples who have spent decades together can be separated in their final years, In a speech ... he said such practices could be fatal ... He urged social workers to apply a "common decency test" and do more to keep couples together. Sir James, the president of the family division of the High Court, said it was "absolutely shocking and a profound indictment of our society" that elderly, vulnerable couples who wanted to live together were sometimes refused shared accommodation and told, "you're going to go here, you're going…
Dr Neil Thompson
May 18, 2017
CIPD publishes ‘Manifesto for Work’ ahead of General Election

CIPD publishes ‘Manifesto for Work’ ahead of General Election

The CIPD have ... launched their ‘Manifesto for Work’, which urges the next Government to put ‘good work’ at the heart of its thinking in order to improve the economy, boost individual welfare and prosperity - creating the conditions for good work in organisations across the country. The manifesto contains a package of reforms including pay ratios, more rights for zero-hours workers and increased investment in skills and training, which aim to address the systemic problems in the UK economy by focusing on the positive influence the world of work can have on productivity and wellbeing. Peter Cheese, Chief Executive of the CIPD, the professional body for HR and people development said: “The world of work and the notion of…
Dr Neil Thompson
May 18, 2017
Autism awareness video – Can you see me?

Autism awareness video – Can you see me?

ASDinfoWales We are hoping to promote understanding and acceptance, amongst communities in Wales in order to improve access to facilities and reduce the stigma that many individuals with autism and their parents and carers experience. As an introduction to adapting interactions for individuals with autism, we have created a range of posters providing tips for community provision such as high street stores, banks, supermarkets, hairdressers, cinemas, etc. We have also created leaflets for GPs and dentists. There are a series of resources to help individuals let others know they have autism (should they wish to), these include a wrist band, card, smartphone screensaver and a car window sticker. We have developed a video to promote the scheme, and have been…
Dr Neil Thompson
May 18, 2017
Talking about poverty: How experts and the public understand UK poverty

Talking about poverty: How experts and the public understand UK poverty

The idea of poverty and the meaning of the term in the UK is contested, and those working to tackle poverty are finding it difficult to shift negative public attitudes and cultivate broad public support for policies to solve it. This research by the FrameWorks Institute compares how experts - including people with experience of poverty - and the public understand UK poverty. It analyses the overlaps and gaps between these ways of thinking to identify challenges in communicating about poverty and strategies for building support. Click here to read more
Dr Neil Thompson
May 18, 2017