Pressure from above, pressure from below; little appreciation from either. That's the experience of work for many middle managers!

This week on The Mindtools L&D Podcast, author Gary Cookson joins Ross G and Dr Anna to discuss his new book, The Squeezed Middle, with a focus on:

• why managers are so misunderstood and undervalued
• the skills middle managers require to succeed
• how we can all help build middle managers.

During the discussion, Ross G referenced the World Economic Forum's 'Future of Jobs Report 2025', Gallup's 'State of the Global Workplace 2025' report, and McKinsey's Power to the Middle which we discussed in episode 416.

Anna referenced our own reports, 'Building Better Managers' and 'The Empathy Problem'.

Gary's book, The Squeezed Middle, is available for pre-order now.

In 'What I Learned This Week', after Anna and Gary's barrage of facts, Ross G discussed Planet Nine.

Finally, Ross G and Anna both referenced our Manager Skills Workshops, which combine upfront assessment, peer feedback, project-based learning and AI Skills Practice. To find out more, visit mindtools.com.

Like the show? You'll LOVE our newsletter! Subscribe to The L&D Dispatch at lddispatch.com.

Connect with our speakers

If you'd like to share your thoughts on this episode, connect with us on LinkedIn:

• Ross Garner
• Dr Anna Barnett
• Gary Cookson

For most of us, compliance training is a regular feature of our working lives. Instead of inducing a mexican wave of eye-rolls, what can we do to design compliance training that has impact?

In this week's episode of The Mindtools L&D Podcast, Gemma, Cammy and Layla discuss:

• Creating compliance-based learning experiences that change mindsets and behaviors;
• Meeting the needs of time-poor learners;
• How to measure the impact of compliance training.

As mentioned, we do have plenty more thoughts on compliance training! Take a look through the resources on our Learning and Development Insights page.

Recent posts include a blog "From compliance to excellence" and a guide called "Compliance learning that works".

In 'What I Learned This Week', Gemma mentioned listening to the podcast The Rest is Science. It was in the episode, "How to drink lava" that Hannah Fry reveals the optimum hand position for maximum propulsion while swimming.

For more from Mindtools Kineo, visit mindtools.com. There, you'll also find details of our new face-to-face and virtual workshops, and our off-the-shelf courses.

Like the show? You'll LOVE our newsletter! Subscribe to The L&D Dispatch at lddispatch.com.

Connect with our speakers

If you'd like to share your thoughts on this episode, connect with us on LinkedIn:

• Gemma Towersey
• Cammy Bean
• Layla Croll

Induction programmes play a crucial role in shaping the way a new starter thinks and feels about an organization.

In this week's episode of The Mindtools L&D Podcast, Ross D, Cammy and Claire discuss:

• what makes induction programmes different from other L&D initiatives;
• how an 'accomplishment framework' can help new starters (and learning designers!) break induction down into manageable chunks;
• how to measure the impact of induction programmes.

Click here to download a free accomplishment framework template.

In 'What I Learned This Week', Claire mentioned the Culross Moat Pit.

Cammy referenced the Greenwich foot tunnel.

And Ross D talked about the rise of video-based podcasting.

For more from Mindtools Kineo, visit mindtools.com. There, you'll also find details of our new face-to-face and virtual workshops, and our off-the-shelf courses.

Like the show? You'll LOVE our newsletter! Subscribe to The L&D Dispatch at lddispatch.com

Connect with our speakers

If you'd like to share your thoughts on this episode, connect with us on LinkedIn:

• Ross Dickie
• Claire Gibson
• Cammy Bean