12 Jun 2025
Family boarding a bus being greeted by a friendly driver

Communication without connection is just noise. Controversial, or correct?  A growing number of corporate leaders are wrestling with this very question. From employee apps to internal newsletters, many companies are investing in tools to ‘reach’ their teams, but far less are investing in genuine connection.   The result? People tune…

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23 Sep 2024
Apple on a book in a school classroom

I recently read an article with above headline  which highlights government’s latest attempts to attract more people to teaching through new incentives. But the focus on ‘lie-ins’ in the headline feels frustrating and misguided. Society misunderstands teacher workloads This headline trivialises the real challenges teachers face. When people discuss…

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03 Sep 2024
Behind-the-scenes shot of a video production crew filming a woman sitting in the backseat of a car while talking on the phone, with professional camera and microphone equipment visible.

We’re delighted to have Ben Hancock, Commercial Director of Pulse Studio, back for another guest post. At Understood, we know how Pulse Studio’s expertise in video production can turn corporate training into an engaging experience. In this post, Ben explores different styles of training videos and how to choose…

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05 May 2024
A frustrated woman covers her ears, surrounded by confusing business jargon, highlighting the blog's focus on the need for clearer workplace communication.

The business world’s equivalent of nails on a chalkboard Most of us have endured meetings where someone suggests we “drill down” on a topic or “take a deep dive.” And then there’s “ping me an email” or “let’s unpack that.” These phrases, which may have begun as shortcuts for…

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09 Mar 2024
people holding and using mobile phones with just their hands visible

Smartphones have become part of the fabric of modern life, but what toll do they take on younger generations’ mental health, focus, and ability to connect? Do they make them more anxious? Jonathan Haidt’s book, The Anxious Generation, explores how smartphone use and social media reshape childhood development and…

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22 Sep 2023
A hand holding a glass orb with a sunset over a beach inverted in it.

We all battle distraction, and lack focus, even the most driven among us. You might zone out mid-conversation or sit down to complete an important task, only to end up scrolling endlessly through social media. In Stolen Focus, author Johann Hari calls this an “attention crisis.” He highlights a…

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28 Jul 2023
Coxswain on a boat at sea motivating the rowers

Effective communication drives strong relationships, sets clear expectations, and resolves conflict. Mastering communication unlocks success at every level of the workplace, including as a motivator. Drawing insights from Mastering Communication at Work: How to Lead, Manage, and Influence by Ethan F. Becker and Jon Wortmann, we’ve captured key lessons…

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17 Jul 2023

In a world driven by technology and automation, it’s easy to overlook the human element in customer service. But exceptional customer experience goes beyond mere transactions; it’s about creating meaningful connections with our customers. By understanding and embracing the essence of being human, we can elevate customer experience to…

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28 Sep 2022

We’ve now reached the end of our three-part series on communication strategies. You can view the previous two articles on communication roadblocks and active and reflective listening on our blog. Today, we’ll discuss healthy confrontation practices. And yes, you read that right – ‘healthy’ and ‘confrontation’ are two words…

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18 Jul 2022

Did you know that communication barriers can harm your relationships with friends, family and work colleagues? Relationship building relies heavily on communication, so you risk missing out on some significant chances to connect if you’re unaware of the dynamics at play.  In fact, over 50 per cent of people…

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