Award-Winning Mentor and Coach | Trainer | Speaker | Author | Leadership Development | Mentoring | Career Management | Coaching and Training Programmes
Yesterday, I had the pleasure of delivering a workshop for the CIPD Bedfordshire and Milton Keynes branch, titled: Confident Career Conversations Enhancing Performance in Diverse, Hybrid Workplaces. The session brought together HR professionals with a range of experience to explore how career conversations can be strategic tools in today’s workplaces. In a hybrid environment, these conversations are critical for fostering engagement, supporting performance, and ensuring employees feel valued and included. Here are some of the key takeaways from our session: Career Conversations as a Strategic Tool We discussed how aligning career conversations with organisational goals doesn’t just benefit individuals—it develops a motivated, high-performing workforce. It’s about more than just checking in; it’s about creating meaningful moments that build trust and motivation across remote or in-office teams. Navigating Challenges in Hybrid and Diverse Environments In a hybrid setting, regular feedback and structured support are essential. I shared practical tips for conducting effective remote conversations that make space for empathy and focus on outcomes rather than activities. We create a more inclusive environment that resonates across all ages and backgrounds by addressing generational differences and adapting our communication styles. Empowering Managers and Building a Development Culture The discussion highlighted the value of equipping managers with practical tools, resources, and accountability. By making career conversations a core responsibility, supported by HR and regular coaching, managers are empowered to overcome common challenges—such as time constraints and difficult conversations—and build a culture of continuous development. Solution-Focused Questions and Career Development Tools Participants found solution-focused questions particularly useful for reframing conversations towards positive outcomes and self-empowerment. Many left inspired to integrate these approaches into their teams, recognising the impact on engagement and career ownership. The concept of a “career journey”—emphasizing lateral moves for skill-building—sparked insights about career growth being multi-dimensional and adaptive. A huge thank you to Paula Grayson and Katie Dungate for the opportunity to share these insights with the CIPD community. I look forward to more collaborations in the future. If you’re interested in similar workshops or learning more about our career development programmes, feel free to get in touch. #careerconversations #HR #careerdevelopment #hybridwork #diversityandinclusion #cipd
