The harmful cost of the UK’s cult of the accidental manager

More than half of the productivity gap between the UK and the USA can be attributed to poor management. Effective management is a necessity for success, argues the CMI's director of policy.

Old is gold: The power of 'critical friends' for young businesses

The importance of good governance is in the news after the surprising moves at OpenAI. Nina Jasinski argues that for new companies, drawing on experienced critical friends is crucial to success.

Six ways to inspire trust in your leadership

There are nine habits for building trust, and you probably only know three of them, argues Dr John Blakey, founder of The Trusted Executive.

Boardrooms don’t buy cola: The case for humble confidence

Beware the allure of familiar brands - it can prevent effective decision-making. LogChain CEO, Andrew McKeown explores why.

The 3 corporate superheroes of tomorrow

Go Go Power Rangers! Thirty years after the launch of the franchise, Publicis Sapient CEO Nigel Vaz reimagines the superhero team to meet today's business challenges.

What Eddie Jones teaches CEOs about the price of ego

Leadership is a privilege. Don’t fall into the trap of becoming an egotistical cliché.

The powerful antidote against competitive blind spots

What Francis of Assisi tells us about how businesses can beat the competition, according to Interbrand’s global chief strategy officer Manfredi Ricca.

‘A great CEO doesn’t need to have P&L experience’

It's time to stop dismissing CEO candidates who haven’t followed a traditional path as risky and start recognising the value they can bring to the table.

Family fortunes: How to pass the leadership baton without jeopardising familial ties

CEO succession is a difficult business, not least when you're a family business, says Boyden UK & Ireland partner, Kevin Keegan.

"I disagree, servant leadership is not weak management"

MT ran a recent opinion piece from the Oliver Wight EAME CEO Kirsty Braines explaining why CEOs must reject servant leadership. Here's why Ben Lichtenwalner disagrees.

Prominent computer scientist warns AI Safety Summit is 'too selective'

Nigel Shadbolt, who founded the Open Data Institute with Tim Berners-Lee, says the future of AI should not be decided by an exclusive group. Leaders must become more data literate to have a voice.

How can leaders retain their 'looking to leave' talent?

Brightest talent eyeing the exit? You might not be as good a manager as you think, argue the authors of The Answer is a Question.

"SMEs are littered with the failures of those promoted beyond their capabilities"

Sara Pearson, founder and co-owner of three businesses, is concerned about the younger generation's approach to entrepreneurship. "Not everyone can be the boss," she argues.

Breaking workaholic patterns: 7 steps to improved well-being

Stop being your own worst enemy.

Why leaders of tomorrow must listen to their intuition

Data can only take you so far, argues Nicholas Janni, author of this year's Business Book Awards Book of the Year winner.

Play: The workplace’s missing ingredient

Academic research has shown that play at work is linked with less fatigue, boredom, stress and burnout in employees, but its benefits don't end there.

Forget being an authentic leader. 'Profilicity' is the future.

How do you lead a business when everyone has multiple, dynamic identities? That's the conundrum coming down the line, argues futurist and MT columnist Tracey Follows.

Think you lack self-awareness? You've made an error of thinking

Henley Business School professor and Management Today's Classroom lead, Dr Chris Dalton, considers self-awareness in management and leadership.

Michèle Lamont: Businesses should “broaden who is valued and viewed as worthy”

In this exclusive article for MT, the eminent Harvard sociologist Michèle Lamont argues companies need to offer dignity and recognition to employees to create more successful societies.

Why CEOs should shun their inner introvert and step into the spotlight

Not fond of the limelight? It’s time to stop nurturing your inner wallflower and embrace the benefits of public speaking.

How to maintain the ‘glue’ when your team is working remotely

With Zoom’s own CEO recently suggesting remote working was hurting employees’ ability to build trust, what hope is there for the rest of us? Plenty, says Localyze CEO Hanna Asmussen.

New recruits deserve better from their WFH-loving managers

People starting their careers need to be in the office. WFH managers are letting them down, argues Daryl Fielding, the CEO of The Marketing Academy Foundation.

Why leaders should not be vulnerable at work

Leaders must remember to lead, their vulnerability is judged differently to others, argues author Jacob Morgan.

CEOs must reject servant leadership - and learn to delegate instead

Servant leadership has left CEOs dealing with too many operational decisions. They need to focus on the bigger strategic matters, argues Kirsty Braines, CEO, Oliver Wight EAME.

Why TheSoul Publishing banned meetings and emails

TheSoul Publishing took the unusual decision to ban internal meetings and emails. Four years on, the agency's chief HR officer explains how they made it happen and the benefits it has delivered.

How to ensure AI anxiety doesn’t get the better of your employees

AI isn’t going anywhere. As its uses rapidly develop, it can be a significant source of workplace anxiety, says Telus Health’s Paula Allen. She offers her tips for combatting concerns.

If free snacks are your office selling point, you've got a culture issue

When the carrot in your return-to-office strategy is a literal carrot, don't be surprised to find that employees aren't chomping at the bit to come back.

Why culture is the staple ingredient for business performance

UK CEOs are falling behind their international counterparts in prioritising workplace culture, with potentially detrimental effects, says Heidrick & Struggles research.

What heritage businesses can learn from Barbie-mania

The Barbie film has been a marketing masterclass by Mattel. Vicky Bullen, CEO of brand and design agency Coley Porter Bell, explains what lessons other heritage brands can learn.

Five ways to support a colleague navigating a loss

McCann Demand’s managing director Lucy Hudson on what she’s learnt about being there for colleagues in their grief, following the loss of her daughter, Poppy, at the age of two.

What the FIFA Women's World Cup can teach business about pay transparency

The prize money for the Women's World Cup has jumped by 300% since the last tournament in 2019 - a result of public outrage at the gender pay disparity. Are there lessons in this for business?

What the McDonald’s scandal shows about the importance of governance

More than 100 former and existing employees have alleged sexual harassment against McDonald’s. Erika Eliasson-Norris, CEO of Beyond Governance, unpicks the lessons for franchises.

The best way to win the war for talent? Forget about it

The best way to win the war for talent is not to engage with it. Focus instead on being a strengths-based employer and word of mouth will do the job for you, argues PA Consulting's Sally Bibb.

Jungle Creations’ CEO on learning to lead with ADHD

Jungle Creations’ CEO Melissa Chapman shares how her ADHD diagnosis has helped quiet her inner critic and given her a new perspective on leadership.

The Great Transition: Are you ready for the next big thing?

The sustainability transition is going to be even more disruptive than digital transformation. EdenLab CEO Leo Rayman explains how leaders can confidently tackle the new frontier.

Talon’s CEO: "Good relationships are more important than being an expert"

Barry Cupples, group CEO of out-of-home media agency Talon, on how embracing the concept of emotional intelligence changed his leadership style for the better.

Why truly resilient leaders don't just "tough it out"

It's time to move on from the mindset ‘what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger’. Henley Business School professor Chris Dalton considers resilience in management, leadership, and organisational life.

Is it time we gave up the clichéd criticism of Gen Z?

Older generations are rehashing the same tired stereotypes about Gen Z as were once levelled at them, and it needs to stop.

What I’ve learnt about imposter syndrome on the eve of turning 40

“It’s time we normalise feeling uneasy,” argues Ben Graham, co-founder of global search firm TritonExec.

Apple's CEO reads every customer email in his inbox - should you?

Inbox admin and unsolicited emails can feel like a daily battle, but with AI's help, could - and should - the rest of us follow Tim Cook's example?

Do Musk and Yaccarino have the makings of a perfect pair?

As the new Twitter CEO outlines her plans, Household CEO Julie Oxberry asks: are we set for a clash of the Twitter titans, or could this be a match made in heaven?

Why tomorrow's CEOs need a more circuitous route to the top

Future leaders need to take "'the road less travelled"' on their path to the top if they want the skills to succeed.

We need more innovation – but where do businesses start?

Businesses should expand their horizons. "True innovation is to see what could be, not just what is," argues Kantar's head of innovation.

What the Monty Hall problem teaches us about leadership

Change is a constant. All leaders must at one time or another face up to this sometimes startling reality.

The “flat-earth” beliefs about management

There is a growing group of people who dismiss the importance of line management. But they are wrong. Here’s why it’s time to respect the people manager.

Why gender diversity is good for the planet

More women on the board means better governance, conservation outcomes and more transparency on carbon emissions. But we need to be careful not to alienate men, argues Roxanne Hobbs.

How should leaders manage a vote of confidence?

A vote of confidence is tough terrain to navigate. But if leaders focus on their future plans, they can not only survive the test, but grow their authority.

The two questions every business must answer

Purpose is a belief that what you do has a point. Henley Business School professor Dr Chris Dalton explains how leaders can set the right vision.

Companies should think like retailers if they want staff back in the office

Companies must think of their people less as employees and more as consumers of the experience they provide, argues CBRE’s head of UK research, Jennet Siebrits.

Digital identity is coming - and it will transform business

Stop the fear-mongering about digital identity. It's an inevitability and business should embrace the way it will transform their processes, argues professor and CEO Tracey Follows.

OPINION