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Beyond ‘toughing it out’: Mental health in the social change workplace

Beyond ‘toughing it out’: Mental health in the social change workplace

The applause at the conference was enthusiastic, and the ambiance, reflective. Hands shot up in the air with question after question: “Can you say more about how it felt when you were depressed?” “What can we do if our CEO is not supportive of employee well-being?” “My friend has bipolar, how can I support him?” I (Enoch) gladly and patiently answered them. On the outside, I looked poised, having just shared my lived experience from depression and suicide attempts to founding my social impact consulting company, Bearapy, to improve workplace mental health in the Asia-Pacific region. Inside, I could feel myself disintegrating. I knew my energy was depleting, and I had been met with rejection after rejection from potential clients…
Dr Neil Thompson
June 22, 2023
The ‘work hard and you’ll get a good job’ mantra is no longer true – so what do I tell my kids?

The ‘work hard and you’ll get a good job’ mantra is no longer true – so what do I tell my kids?

When I was a child, back in the relatively halcyon days of the 1990s, I had my fair share of angst – friendship problems, homework, sibling rivalry and appalling fashion sense. But one thing remained clear and stable: the advice I was given on how to achieve the best possible life. In those pre-digital days, this was imparted by a few trusted adults: teachers, relatives and parents. And it rarely wavered from “get a good education, choose a good career and climb the ladder”. There was an implicit understanding that if you jumped through the accepted hoops between childhood and adulthood then success and happiness would be your reward. These days things are less clearcut. The path to perceived success…
Dr Neil Thompson
June 22, 2023
Navigating leadership challenges: Lessons from top industry leaders

Navigating leadership challenges: Lessons from top industry leaders

Leaders of any organization or industry face challenges that can either make or break their careers. Leadership comes with significant responsibility and requires unique skills to navigate complex situations. In today’s fast-paced world, the challenges facing leaders have become even more complicated and diverse. How well they can manage these challenges distinguishes successful leaders from others. This blog post will explore some of industry leaders’ most common leadership challenges and draw insights from their experiences. Click here to read more
Dr Neil Thompson
June 22, 2023
Spotlight – The Problem Solver’s Practice Manual

Spotlight – The Problem Solver’s Practice Manual

“Where there are people, there will be problems, but there will also be potential” is a key part of Neil’s work. And that is precisely what this manual is all about – equipping practitioners from various professional disciplines to help people address their problems and realise their potential. Part One provides an extended essay on the nature and significance of problem solving to lay solid foundations of understanding. Part Two then offers guidance on using 101 problem-solving tools that can be used in a wide variety of circumstances. Available from https://neilthompson.info/shop/ or Amazon
Dr Neil Thompson
June 7, 2023
Neil Thompson’s Lessons for Living – Believe in yourself

Neil Thompson’s Lessons for Living – Believe in yourself

Confidence is not something that you either have or do not have or have in a certain quantity. Confidence is an attitude. The word confidence means ‘trust’, so whether you are confident or not depends on whether you trust yourself. Sadly, many people have little trust in themselves, little self-belief, and so they will approach new situations and challenges with an attitude that says: ‘I can’t do this’. People who believe in themselves, by contrast, will approach new situations with the attitude: ‘I don’t know whether I can do this, but I am going to have a damn good try’. That is, they do not write themselves off. Click here to read more
Dr Neil Thompson
June 7, 2023
Work Matters 2023: The UK labour market in an international context

Work Matters 2023: The UK labour market in an international context

The UK’s workforce is smaller than it was pre-pandemic with the OECD labelling it the ‘worse performer’ in the G7 for workforce participation since Covid-19. Employers are struggling to recruit, and workers continue to live through an unparalleled and enduring crisis in living standards. Against this backdrop, the IMF has forecast that the UK economy will not suffer a recession in 2023 and has recommended the Government should look to alleviate sectoral and skilled labour shortages. While other economists have stated that inflation remains ‘sticky’ and warned that the UK could face a recession in 2024. Click here to read more
Dr Neil Thompson
June 7, 2023
Seth Godin’s blog – Who cares?

Seth Godin’s blog – Who cares?

A question we don’t ask ourselves very often, but a choice we make every day. It’s tempting to not care. If you choose to not care, you’re off the hook. It’s simply to do as little as possible, avoid too much trouble, ask if it will be on the test, try to stay off the hook, so what… On the other hand, caring can lead to heartbreak. Caring is the chance to make a difference, to actually be involved in what happens next. Click here to read more
Dr Neil Thompson
June 7, 2023
Gingerbread – Why is our mission to support single parent families?

Gingerbread – Why is our mission to support single parent families?

There are two million single parents with majority care for their kids in Britain today – that’s one in four families with children. Single parents do a brilliant job, but paying the bills and juggling work and family life on your own can be a real challenge. Less than half of single parents receive money from their child’s other parent, and children in single parent families are twice as likely as children in couple families to live in poverty. The majority of single parents are working, but two-thirds of them say finances are still a constant struggle at best. And even though there’s no such thing as a typical single parent, nearly three quarters have experienced stereotyping or prejudice. Click…
Dr Neil Thompson
June 7, 2023