This article reflects on the delivery of a government-funded development programme for line managers. It finds that developing agile managers requires agile trainers, and identifies key lessons for employers.

CIPD member content

This content is only available for CIPD members

Reviewed by

Jonny Gifford, Senior Adviser for Organisational Behaviour | Interim Head of Research

Jonny’s work centres on conducting applied research in employment and people management, and strengthening links between academia and practice. His research interests include job quality or ‘good work’ and what works in driving employee performance and wellbeing. He leads the CIPD’s work on evidence-based HR and academic knowledge exchange.

Jonny has been conducting applied research in the field of employment and people management for about 20 years, with previous roles at Westminster Business School, the Institute for Employment Studies and Roffey Park Institute. He is an Academic Member of the CIPD, a Fellow of the Center for Evidence-Based Management (CEBMa), Associate Editor at the Journal of Organizational Effectiveness: People and Performance (JOEPP), and a PhD candidate at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.

More on this topic

Podcasts
Evidence-based L&D – The gift of AI

Podcast 206: Digital innovation has revolutionised how we work and learn. But despite AI’s potential, scepticism prevails. Do L&D professionals need greater curiosity to explore how AI can support them and bolster learning outcomes?

Podcasts
Ireland Podcasts

Listen to episodes from our CIPD Ireland Podcast Series on a range of topical workplace, HR and L&D issues

Podcasts
Evidence-based L&D – Asking the right questions

Podcast 202: Learning professionals are under constant pressure to demonstrate the value and impact of their interventions. Is there a way for them to bolster their chances of a successful outcome before they dive into planning?

Latest Bitesize research

Bitesize research
Using algorithms to make decisions ethically and responsibly

Algorithms can help speed decisions and help organisations to operate more efficiently or profitably, but what are the pitfalls particularly from an ethical perspective?

For Members
Bitesize research
Role ambiguity can lead to bullying but supportive leadership helps

How might role ambiguity lead to workplace bullying and what is the impact of leadership support in negating this effect?

For Members
Bitesize research
How to start using AI as an HRM assistant

An exploration of how generative AI tools like ChatGPT can be used effectively to support human resource management

For Members
Bitesize research
Pay cuts as an alternative to redundancies

When cost savings are required, what is the impact of making pay cuts instead of redundancies?

For Members
All Bitesize research