Supporting people through challenging times: why short, impactful workshops matter
Across industries that depend on people, the pressure has rarely been greater. Leaders and teams alike are being asked to adapt to rapid change, whilst maintaining safety and reliability, and perform at the highest levels, often against a backdrop of tightening budgets and shifting priorities.
It is in this environment that FidesOak® has introduced a new suite of workshops, created in direct response to feedback from clients and the realities of geopolitical risk that organisations face today.
From transformation to focus
FidesOak® is best known for transformational programmes designed to deliver cultural change and high performing teams. But as Managing Director Eddie McCullough explains, the decision to launch shorter, targeted courses came from recognising that certain elements within the larger programmes were already producing immediate results.
“Some of the components we delivered had an instant impact,” he says. “You could see mindsets shift right there in the room, particularly around areas like process safety or barrier management.”
Responding to today’s challenges
Solutions Director Paula Paterson highlights the context behind this move. “We are in challenging times, globally. Many organisations want and need new skills and new thinking, but committing to a large programme is not always possible. These workshops give people the chance to access learning that is motivating, practical, and proven to make a difference.”
The workshops cover a range of themes, from safety to leadership to coaching skills for managers. They are intentionally varied, reflecting the diverse challenges faced by different industry sectors. Each workshop is designed to spark change in how people think and act, and to build momentum that organisations can then sustain in their own way.
“Workshops are not only about transferring knowledge,” says Paterson. “There is a natural element of team building, of people leaving wanting to try something different. That intent is powerful, and when organisations harness it back in the workplace, it can lead to real shifts in performance and culture.”
The balance of immediate and long-term
Programmes that include coaching and follow-up remain vital to embed new habits and sustain cultural change. Without that, Paterson cautions, organisations risk losing the return on their investment.
However, the new workshops reflect an important reality: organisations need options. Not every organisation is in a position to run a full programme, yet the need for support, learning, and new ideas is stronger than ever.
“These workshops take what we know works in the field and make it accessible, so teams can start thinking and behaving differently straight away.” Says McCullough
Investing in people remains essential
At the heart of this move is a recognition that people are the solution, and people remain the most important investment organisations can make. The workshops are designed to support that investment, whether as a first step, a stand-alone intervention, or a complement to longer-term programmes.
As Paterson puts it: “We know cultural change takes time, often years. Workshops play an important role in sparking that change, motivating people, and giving them new skills. But we also believe in transferring capability back to the organisation, so that change is sustainable long after we have stepped away.”
For industries facing uncertainty, the message is clear: while challenges grow, the need to equip people with the skills, confidence, and mindset to respond has never been greater.
For more information about workshops and training courses, please click here.
