We talk a lot in our sessions about “the pictures in our heads” – our human and automatic unconscious thoughts. Some of the time these pictures just stay in our heads but other times we do something with them – we process them in our actions, our behaviour, and our treatment of others. These thoughts impact our critical decision making (recruitment, selection, performance management to name but a few) but can create unintended outcomes. Once we have a clear picture of someone, we tend to look for evidence to support that view and, indeed, we attribute less value to evidence which gives the contrary view. So we might think someone who has studied at a particular establishment is better suited for a specific job than someone else and we tend to attach more value to evidence which supports our original view. It’s just the way our brains work!
The starting point I always say is to “notice” what you do – don’t give yourself a hard time, just notice the pictures in your head. In a busy world it is not always easy to notice the way you are thinking – you need help and visual prompts can help. A TV station in Denmark has just illustrated this beautifully. Have a look – this might become one of my visual prompts from now on! https://youtu.be/C0cfygJrABs
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Happy hour? A conversation about alcohol and work – culture, risk and belonging
From post-deal drinks to client events and team celebrations, alcohol is woven into workplace culture. Yet when something goes wrong, it’s rarely seen as ‘just a drink’.
With new duties on employers to prevent sexual harassment, and growing attention on workplace risk and inclusion, it’s time to take a more intentional look at how alcohol shapes workplace culture – and the risks it carries.
This short, focused webinar will explore:
• How alcohol contributes to conduct, harassment and reputational risk
• The assumptions we make about what’s normal, social or expected
• How alcohol intersects with inclusion, wellbeing and boundaries
• What to think about when conducting risk assessments and looking at policies
• Practical steps to build positive connection while protecting what matters
Speakers:
Helen Dallimore
Head of Training, Byrne Dean
An experienced facilitator, trainer and former employment lawyer, Helen works with organisations to strengthen leadership capability and embed respectful workplace behaviours. She brings particular expertise in creating inclusive cultures where people feel safe, respected and able to thrive.
Cicilia Wan
Principal Consultant, Byrne Dean
A former employment lawyer and experienced Head of Employee Relations in global financial services, Cicilia has seen first-hand how alcohol can affect conduct at work, with deep expertise in leadership, culture and people risk.
Steven McCann
Founder and Director, MCG Consulting
A leading voice in workplace addiction and recovery inclusion, Steven advises organisations on addiction awareness, recovery-informed culture and social mobility. He has spoken at the Bank of England and works regularly with law societies, the Legal Services Board and institutions across law, finance and corporate sectors.
Training Zone: Five 2025 training trends to address the knowing-doing gap
Matt Dean explores the knowledge gaps organisations are looking to close in 2025.
