Blog

The latest insights on narrative, storytelling and leadership in higher education.

Author: Paul Gentle

Paul is the Academic Director at Invisible Grail. A leadership expert, Paul has dedicated the last ten years to creating and delivering leadership development programmes in Higher Education.

Posted in Blog, Interview

Louise Clifton

Director of Marketing, Communications and Operations Over the last eight years Louise has crafted a career in marketing and communications within higher education. Louise thrives on working with people to bring alive the stories that show the wider world who…read more

Posted in Blog

0 Comments

The Generation of 2020

People starting new roles recently have faced unique challenges: How do they connect with colleagues? How do they get to know the quirks of their team or department? Can working online work as well - or better - than being…read more

Posted in Blog

1 Comment

Playfulness at work: fun, vexing, helpful?

Seeing off a voice of doubt, Paul Gentle makes the case that intentional use of play at work can unlock greater collaboration and imagination, and suggests three ways you can do this with your own team. What better venture is…read more

Posted in Blog

0 Comments

On the benefits of being connected

What are the hallmarks of being a connected leader? Drawing on his experience of working with some of the top leaders from across the world, Paul Gentle offers a manifesto on the benefits of practising connected leadership and what this…read more
The Dragon Economies

Posted in Blog

0 Comments

The Dragon Economies: Is Higher Education in South East Asia breathing fire?

The world is changing, rapidly. As global mindsets shift and we face a new decade, are the Dragon Economies still breathing fire? Travelling through Hong Kong and Singapore this autumn, Paul Gentle finds out. Your perceptions of how universities work…read more

Posted in Blog

0 Comments

Taking up Generation Z’s challenge on our future

Climate change is here. Young people are pushing for change. So what are we doing about it? We need to take up the fight for our future. To help create lifelong learning that values dialogue, creativity and empathy as ways…read more

Posted in Author: Paul Gentle, Blog

0 Comments

How to connect beliefs and values with writing a strategy

Strategy isn’t just facts, figures and mission statements. It encompasses the breadth and depth of the people who lead and live it. Drawing on two fictional universities facing real-life challenges, Paul Gentle examines how working with the grain can connect…read more
Influence...and how you do it

Posted in Author: Paul Gentle, Blog

0 Comments

Influence…and how you do it

Nurturing influencing skills are like playing a musical instrument: the more you fine tune, the better you get. Paul Gentle offers his insights on recognising the scary stuff, reading the room, and how to use questions to influence for solutions.…read more

Posted in Author: Paul Gentle, Blog

0 Comments

It’s a Mentor-full world!

The benefits of mentoring are widely accepted. Gifting your experience and expertise to another can be both professionally rewarding and personally satisfying. But is there more to it than that? Paul Gentle explores the powerful synergy that can evolve from…read more
Breaking free of a short-term mindset

Posted in Author: Paul Gentle, Blog

0 Comments

“As long as your arm” Breaking free of a short-term mindset

Short-term mindsets drain people of creativity and motivation. They make longer-term strategic visions fade into the background. Drawing on recent work, Paul Gentle examines the shift needed to release people from the tyranny of to do lists and break free…read more

Posted in Author: Paul Gentle, Blog

0 Comments

Distraction: Evil or Art?

Distraction. A word we associate with falling behind; clock ticking; unfocused thoughts. But what about the unexpected joys and unforeseen creativity it can bring? And the role of the people who trigger it in the first place? Paul Gentle explores.…read more

Posted in Author: Paul Gentle, Blog

0 Comments

How do you create a community of practice?

Communication and narrative are two essential parts of creating a community of practice. The third? A team of people who are up for the challenge and have the desire to do something bold - something different. ‘We can all remember…read more