Blog - Graham Allcott

The unkindest things that happen at work are rarely done by unkind people.

Before you get anywhere near comparing speakers, there's a question worth asking first: does this away day actually need one?

There’s a pattern I’ve seen played out in workshops with leaders more times than I can count.

1.

Ask almost anyone who books speakers for a living and they'll tell you the same thing, usually with a slightly rueful look: the talk that gets the biggest reaction on the day isn't always the one that changes anything.

A few years ago, I was in the middle of one of the most hectic periods of my working life – running Think Productive, writing a book, speaking at conferences and generally trying to do too many things at once.

There's a story we tell ourselves about productive people.

Here's something I've been saying for years, and it still surprises people every time: Busy is not the same as productive.

Kindness rarely makes the headlines.

There's a sentence I've been saying in workshops and keynotes for years now, and it never fails to land: Nice is for you.

When I ask leaders to picture a 'kind leader', I often see a slight hesitation.

A few years ago, I delivered a keynote to a large investment bank in Rome.

If you're an event organiser, an HR director or a leader putting together an away day, and you've been thinking about booking a keynote on kindness at work – this post is for you.

Most team away days look good on paper.

Most emails aren’t unkind because of what they say – but because of how they land.

Self-kindness at work can feel awkward.

Welcome to 2025!

Free Weekly Checklist Template Download The checklist is the tool.

Every organisation I work with says it wants better teams.

Come from genuine care.