CIPD conference puts spotlight on the brain

HRD 2003, CIPD annual Learning, Training and Development Conference and Exhibition, 8-10 April 2003, Olympia London
Speakers at HRD 2003, The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development's (CIPD) learning and development conference, will explore how individuals can boost their brainpower and tap into unused capacity.

Robert Cooper, Chair, Advanced Excellence Systems LLC argues that most of us only use a small proportion of our intelligence and creativity potential, with much of what we are truly capable of lying dormant. In his masterclass he will explore practial ways, based on the latest research in neuroscience, and psychology, to boost performance.
Stephen Paul Reid, Director, Spring Business Innovation will present a seminar on how to think. Reid says that many of us don't realise how limited our thinking has become and that the smartest part of our mind is under-used. He argues that we have spent years learning what to think, but not how to think and will demonstrate that by learning how to employ a combination of ideas and imagery alongside language skills we can improve the way we process our thoughts.

Professor JNP Rawlins, Professor of Behavioural Neuroscience Oxford University will explore what happens to our brains when we are learning in his Masterclass on 'the psychology of learning'. Delegates will find out how an understanding of the neuroscience of learning can really benefit their own ability to learn as well as learning within their organisation.

Why 20th Century leadership no longer works
HRD 2003, CIPD annual Learning, Training and Development Conference and Exhibition, 8-10 April 2003, Olympia London
At this year's HRD 2003, the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development's conference on learning and development, speaker David Burnham, will argue that in today's hyper-competitive business environment traditional forms of leadership work against superior performance.
Burnham, a partner with the Rosen Group, will explore a new approach to leadership development based on extensive research, which employs a unique methodology that works with people at the level of their motives rather than behavioural skills.

The speaker says that 20th Century leadership was based around the motivation that 'I influence you' with the leader holding beliefs such as 'people need me' and 'I must provide the answers'. These leaders think in a linear manner, and while they are skilled at decision making and providing vision, Burnham argues that such an approach is no longer valid.

21st Century Leaders start from the premise that 'we influence each other'. They hold beliefs including 'we need each other', 'we don't know all the answers', 'learning is characterised by paradox and experimentation'. These modern day leaders are group focused, stimulate thinking and creativity, and share decisions with others. Here results are not just for their own sake, but achieve an organisational purpose and reflect values.

David Burnham will explore concepts such as mutuality where the leader sees others as equals, regardless of their position of authority, demonstrates self-awareness by openly sharing their perspective and engages others so that they feel understood and appreciated. He will also show how effective leaders understand paradox, see the world as highly complex - not black and white and reward innovation and risk taking, recognising the outcomes may be uncertain.