Explore human performance, sustainable performance and the corporate athlete, with practical coaching ideas for people professionals

About this event

Explore human performance, sustainable performance and the corporate athlete, with practical coaching ideas for people professionals

What does it actually mean to perform at your best at work and how do we make that performance sustainable?

In this interactive session, Richard Turner will explore human performance and what people professionals, People and L&D professionals can learn from coaching, sport and high-performance environments.

Performance at work is rarely just about capability or asking people to do more. Our ability to perform is influenced by a combination of factors including energy, mindset, behaviours, environment, pressure, recovery, relationships and leadership.

The session will introduce the concept of the Corporate Athlete and explore what organisations can realistically learn from the way athletes approach performance.

In sport, high performance involves more than simply working harder. Athletes prepare, practise, recover, reflect, receive coaching and deliberately manage the different factors that influence their ability to perform.

We will consider what happens when we apply some of that thinking to the workplace.


The session will explore:

  • What human performance actually means
  • The factors that influence individual performance
  • Peak performance versus sustainable high performance
  • The Corporate Athlete and lessons we can realistically take from sport
  • Pressure, stress, energy and recovery
  • Why recovery should be considered part of performance
  • How managers and leaders create the conditions for performance
  • How coaching can help people develop awareness, ownership and improve their performance
  • Practical ideas attendees can apply within their own organisations


The session will combine Richard’s input with discussion, reflection and opportunities for attendees to apply the ideas to their own working environments.

Attendees will leave with a broader understanding of human performance and practical questions they can use when thinking about the performance of their people, managers and teams.


About the speaker:

Richard Turner

Richard Turner is a coach, facilitator and leadership practitioner specialising in leadership, team and human performance.

With a background in sport science, coaching and high-performance sport, Richard combines lessons from the sporting world with practical experience developing leaders, managers and teams.

His work focuses on helping people understand the conditions that allow them to perform at their best, from communication, leadership and coaching through to pressure, energy, recovery and sustainable performance.

Alongside his work with organisations and leaders, Richard’s experience in hockey and sports coaching gives him a practical perspective on what business can learn from high-performance environments and where those comparisons need to be treated with caution.


Please note:

  • Participants will receive a reminder email the day before, with a further reminder on the morning of the event.
  • Photography and video production may take place at the event, and these images may be used in the CIPD newsletters.
  • By attending the event, participants are giving their consent for their image to be used in CIPD promotional materials.
  • If you can no longer attend, please cancel your ticket so someone else can take your place.
  • If there is an external speaker, their views will be their own and may not necessarily reflect those of the CIPD.
  • If any reasonable adjustments are required, participants are encouraged to make this known and assistance will be provided.

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