Friday Selection Box: 29th January 2021

Biggest art exhibition ever

Firstsite is celebrating its 10th anniversary and encouraging us to be creative through the fabulous Great Big Art Exhibition.  There are 18 initial inspirations from Antony Gormley, David Shrigley, Jeremy Deller and a host of major museums and galleries.  We are all invited to make and display work in our own houses and on social media.  Social prescribing for a nation.

Theories of change in a Covid world

A thoughtful blog on whether we can and how we could develop theories of change in our current, no physical contact, world.  This feels like an important conversation as many organisations rethink their business models and really start asking, what are we here for?

Building a Common Language for Skills at Work: A Global Taxonomy

Regular readers of this blog will know that we are very keen on learning for ourselves and others.  This report offers a framework for thinking seriously about skills and embedding the approach in organisational practices.

And in case you need persuading ..

’50% of all employees will need reskilling by 2025.  40% of current workers’ core skills are expected to change in the next five years’.  The Future of Jobs Report 2020.

How to lead when your team is exhausted – and so are you

A really useful piece from HBR, if nothing else it’s a timely reminder that ‘it’s OK to not be OK’ at the moment. It’s even more relevant now than it was in December when it was written because lockdown three seems to be the most challenging yet.

It feels like the whole world is tired. Even though the vaccine shines a light at the end of the tunnel, the home stretch will be long and perhaps take a greater toll on our professional and personal lives than we expect it to.

Thanks to Nick Williams (Horsecross Arts) for flagging this one up.

The Great Covid-Driven Teamwork Divide

Some pertinent research into the impact of Covid-19 on teamwork.

The findings surprised us. While 45 percent of the respondents said their team’s level of connectedness had declined since Covid-19, nearly one-third (31 percent) said it had improved. Only about one in five reported no change. The pandemic, far from having a consistent effect observable across the sample, had created a divide. Teams that seemed better adjusted to the “new normal” were becoming more connected as a result, while those that adapted less saw the quality of their relationships decline.

Spy Kids Wanted

Something for all the parents grappling with home schooling. Looks really intriguing and fun! Created by Terrestrial.

Creative Courage for Young Hearts: 15 Emboldening Picture Books Celebrating the Lives of Great Artists, Writers, and Scientists

If you want something to please the mind and warm the heart this selection of illustrated books is a delight.

 

Creative Courage for Young Hearts: 15 Emboldening Picture Books Celebrating the Lives of Great Artists, Writers, and Scientists