16 Sep 2024
Mini board with post its promoting adapting a new mindset and positive results

At Understood, we believe in the power of growth. Our training programmes are built on the belief that growth and development are key 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 our…

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10 Jan 2024

Want to enhance your communication skills and handle tough situations with confidence? Assertiveness is the key to expressing yourself clearly while respecting others. In this blog post, we’ll explore some essential assertiveness techniques that can transform how you communicate and boost your self-assurance. Understanding Assertiveness Techniques Assertiveness techniques are…

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20 Nov 2022

‘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…

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10 Dec 2021
A strip of paper on a pin board saying if you change nothing, nothing will change

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…

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20 Nov 2021
A slate next to an apple. The words on the slate say we are what we repeatedly do. Aristotle.

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…

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27 Oct 2021
A dog reclining on a sofa in comfy lounge wear with a television remote control

‘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…

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24 Mar 2021
who are you question written on a napkin with a cup of coffee

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…

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07 Jan 2020
Illustration of a large brain with a small person next to it looking up.

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,…

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01 Aug 2019
silhouette of super business woman feel strong with sunset

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…

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