HR People Pod
Listen to episodes of HR People Pod, the CIPD’s fortnightly podcast providing expert insights from HR leaders discussing the topical issues impacting the world of work.
Listen nowResearch exploring how to develop people managers who drive organisational success
People managers are an indispensable link between an organisation’s top management and its employees. However, their impact is affected by several moderating factors, such as leadership style, management skills and organisational support. This evidence review draws together the best available evidence to explore why people managers are important, what a good people manager looks like, and how to develop effective people managers.
As organisations navigate issues such as hybrid working and recruitment it’s important to realise that people managers not only need to manage their teams’ day-to-day tasks and responsibilities, they also need to nurture their people, implement corporate strategies and act as change agents.
Use the practice summary to understand the main insights and practical recommendations for action.
See the scientific summary for our methodology and technical information on the research and study references.
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Listen to episodes of HR People Pod, the CIPD’s fortnightly podcast providing expert insights from HR leaders discussing the topical issues impacting the world of work.
Listen nowEmma Jordaan, Founder and CEO of Dubai-based consultancy, Infinite Consulting, explores leadership’s role in embracing diversity to achieve the cultural unity needed to sustain organisational performance
In this guest blog for International HR Day 2026, David R Blackburn, Chartered CCIPD and Managing Director, David R Blackburn Consulting, explores the value of building trust for leaders and organisations looking to bring the best out of their employees.
In this guest blog for International HR Day 2026, Wendy K. Smith, Dana J. Johnson Professor of Management, University of Delaware and Faculty Fellow, Harvard Business School, explores how both/and thinking will define the future of leadership.
We examine research evidence to understand if and how HR practices influences organisational performance and key workplace outcomes
Find out what the evidence says about building trust and psychological safety
Explore the latest research on how to create a positive environment to build and nurture effective teams
This evidence review summarises the latest research on the effective management of meetings and offers recommendations to get the most out of them