Books to inform and inspire

Help is at hand with timely resources for HR practitioners navigating transformational change initiatives and uncertainty. These three books provide valuable guidance.

Tony Nicholls (2022). Managing Change in Organizations: Develop Your Employees for Business Transformation. Published by Kogan Page Ltd.

Managing Change in Organizations is a comprehensive guide to navigating organisational change. The book provides a thorough overview of the change process, including how to plan, implement and manage change effectively.

Nicholls provides a range of practical tools and techniques for managing change, such as the Change Curve and Stakeholder Analysis. He also covers various models for change, including Lewin’s Model and Kotter’s 8-Step Model, and provides examples of how they can be applied.

One of the strengths of this book is its emphasis on the human side of change. Nicholls recognises that change can be difficult and stressful for employees, and he provides guidance on managing resistance to change and maintaining employee engagement throughout the process. Managing Change in Organizations is an excellent resource for anyone navigating the complex world of organisational change. It provides a solid framework for understanding and managing the change process while also emphasising the importance of empathy and communication in achieving successful outcomes. It would be useful for anyone involved in managing change, from business leaders to HR professionals to consultants.

Shauna Moran (2022). Managing Employee Burnout: How to Develop a Happy, Healthy and Engaged Workforce. Published by Kogan Page Ltd.

Managing burnout in our workforce has never been more critical. The stress brought on to employees by the COVID-19 pandemic, natural disasters and other events should not be underestimated.

Managing Employee Burnout is a timely and vital guide for any manager looking to prevent and manage burnout in their employees. The book provides a comprehensive overview of burnout, its causes and its effects on individuals and organisations.

Moran provides practical strategies and tools for managers to identify, prevent and manage burnout in their teams. She emphasises the importance of creating a supportive and positive work environment, with a focus on communication, flexibility and work–life balance.

One important point Moran highlights in this book is that of the individual experience of burnout. Moran recognises that burnout is not just a problem for organisations, but also a deeply personal experience for employees. She provides guidance on how managers can support employees through burnout and help them to recover.

Moran’s writing is engaging, making the book accessible to many readers. It is also filled with real-life examples and case studies, which make the concepts easy to understand and apply in practice.

Lucy Widdowson and Paul J Barbour (2021). Building TopPerforming Teams: A Practical Guide to Team Coaching to Improve Collaboration and Drive Organizational Success. Published by Kogan Page Ltd.

Building Top-Performing Teams is a practical guide to building and leading high-performing teams through team coaching. The book offers a comprehensive overview of team dynamics, covering topics such as communication, motivation and conflict resolution.

Widdowson and Barbour provide a compelling argument for structured coaching of high-performance teams. They outline the practical tools and techniques for building and managing teams, including methods for identifying and addressing team weaknesses and strategies for developing effective team culture. They also cover the importance of effective leadership, including how to inspire and motivate team members and how to create a vision for success.

The writing is easy to follow, and the authors also provide real-world examples, which help to make the concepts easy to apply.

Building Top-Performing Teams is a valuable resource for anyone looking to build and lead a successful team. It is an excellent guide for managers, leaders and anyone involved in team management, providing practical strategies and tools for achieving high performance and success.

Aaron Smith (EPMHRNZ, MBA) is a People & Culture Manager with Scenic Hotel Group. After taking up an HR administration role, he discovered a real passion for the profession. He has an interest in recruitment and employment relations and likes to keep up to date with developments in employment law.