At Understood, we champion the power of a growth mindset. Our training programmes are grounded in the belief that growth and development are essential to success. One of the most compelling ideas that supports this belief comes from psychologist Carol Dweck’s book, Mindset. Dweck explains that how we view…
Do you want to enhance your communication skills and handle difficult situations with confidence? Assertiveness lies at the heart of effective expression—it empowers you to speak clearly while respecting others. Whether you’re pursuing leadership training or looking to build your resilience at work, assertiveness can transform the way you…
‘The average human lifespan is absurdly, insultingly brief. If you live to be 80, you’ll have had about 4,000 weeks. But that’s no reason for despair.’ So says Oliver Burkeman in his phenomenal book, Four Thousand Weeks – all about time management ‘for mortals’. Burkeman explains that it’s only…
In our last two blog posts, we explored the powerful role that habits play in shaping our behaviour and influencing organisational culture. We unpacked why we’re such creatures of habit and highlighted how these automatic behaviours can define the emotional climate of a workplace. We also examined Charles Duhigg’s…
Crises as catalysts for change The global pandemic threw organisations into chaos, disrupting routines and straining resources. While this period has tested our limits, it also offers a powerful opportunity: crises can act as springboards for positive, lasting change. Rahm Emanuel, then Chief of Staff to President Obama during…
‘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…
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…
Life coach and author Marie Forleo champions the magic of belief in her book Everything is Figureoutable: “Beliefs are the hidden scripts that run our lives. They determine where we go and how we get there.” In our June blog, we explored how an organisation’s values, or belief systems,…
The most resilient people aren’t the ones who never make mistakes. They’re the ones who mess up, bounce back, and grow. So-called “successful” people? They’ve usually experienced failure many times, but have learned how to recover, reflect, and do things differently next time. And yet, so many of us…
