News, views, facts, and leadership...
No images? Click here
EDITION 1063
31 MARCH 2025
So, as another week passes into the annals of history, here are 10 things which caught my attention and may have escaped yours. Please feel free to share on social media and forward to your colleagues and friends so they can also subscribe, learn and engage. I would be very grateful if you did.
Just before you dive in, remember our POTENTIAL workbook [see below] is on offer for only £99. This unique workbook will help guide your organisation to its highest potential. Contact us today to start your transformation.
William Montgomery
Editor and CEO of TEN
1. How to keep your employees happy and engaged. Every leader wants a team of dedicated employees. And yet, many fail to do their part to make this happen. Building a team that is both happy and engaged requires intentional effort. It’s not just about offering competitive salaries or generous perks. READ MORE
2. Households brace for a tough April as bills soar. Millions of UK households will see a sharp rise in essential bills from tomorrow due to the increasing costs of energy, water, council tax and telecom services. Water bills are set to surge by an average of 26%, adding £123 to annual household costs, while the energy price cap will increase by 6.4%, raising the typical gas and electricity bill to £1,849. Council tax will rise by 5% and mobile and broadband providers are hiking prices by 6.4%. Citizens Advice says the increases will hit the poorest households hardest. The Times
3. A shrinking fleet in perilous times. America is increasingly alarmed by China’s growing naval dominance, with 400 ships to the US’s 295 - reversing an advantage held just two decades ago. While US vessels are larger and more advanced, China’s sheer manufacturing power could prove decisive in any conflict. But if this is a concern for Washington, it should be even more troubling for Britain. When I joined the Royal Navy in 1978, we had 114 frontline warships. Today, there are just 22 - six of them not operational. At a time of rising global threats, this should be a wake-up call for Britain’s military planners. Editor
4. Disability benefits cuts spark outrage. The proportion of working-age Britons living with a substantial disability stands at 24%, as revealed in a recent government survey. This notably high figure has only intensified growing concerns about the government’s plans to cut benefits. Yesterday, a rising number of MPs pledged to oppose the controversial reforms, which would slash a total of £4.8 billion from claimants’ incomes. These cuts would also lead to more than 150,000 people losing their carer’s allowance, further exacerbating the financial difficulties faced by some of the most vulnerable in society. Daily Mail
5. Should leaders take public stances on social and political issues? In an increasingly connected world, leaders are often expected to voice their opinions on social and political matters. Proponents argue that taking a stand demonstrates integrity, aligns with organisational values, and can positively influence public perception. Critics caution that such positions may alienate stakeholders with differing views and divert focus from core business objectives. Some suggest that leaders should only engage in these discussions when issues directly affect their organisation or industry. This poll seeks to understand your opinion on whether leaders should publicly address social and political issues. VOTE HERE
6. New rail system to connect Europe. A metro ride from Lisbon all the way to Athens may sound like science fiction, but it could become a reality by 2040, at least, if the vision of Denmark-based thinktank 21st Europe comes to life. It has published a blueprint for a new 22,000 km rail network connecting 39 European cities, with trains travelling at 400 kmph (250 mph), that would replace today's patchy connections. A trip from Helsinki to Berlin would last just five hours. The organisation sees huge demand for cross-border travel and thinks better, faster trains are crucial to meet Europe's climate plans. Euronews
7. Perception of time in workouts. It was a bad week for reluctant gym-goers, whose perception of time is distorted by exercise, according to a new study. Researchers from Canterbury Christ Church University discovered that monotonous and repetitive workouts feel about 10% longer, on average, than they actually are. This time distortion can make the experience feel even more challenging, as participants struggle to push through the seemingly extended duration of their routines. The findings suggest that the more repetitive or less engaging the activity, the more pronounced the time distortion, potentially affecting motivation and workout performance. The Times
8. Stockpile 72 hours’ worth of supplies. The European Commission has issued advice to its people to store enough food, water and essentials for 72 hours so as to ready themselves for potential threats including, floods, fires, pandemics – and military attacks. The strategy was partly inspired by plans in Germany and the Nordic countries. Those nations have recently circulated pamphlets and built apps to advise their citizens on what to do in the event of military attacks or other national crises. The commission is also calling for a Europe-wide preparedness day to help raise awareness, the inclusion of the topic in school curriculums and the development of an overall EU stockpiling strategy. The Guardian
9. Divided views on masculinity. Only 6% of Britons view masculinity as an intrinsic negative, according
to a recent survey, while the majority (55%) regard it as neither good nor bad. The survey, which polled 35,443 adults, comes at a time when Netflix’s popular show Adolescence has sparked renewed debate over the issue of toxic masculinity. Notably, the survey found that female respondents under the age of 30 were the most likely to perceive masculinity as inherently negative, with 14% of them expressing this view. This demographic stands out as particularly critical, highlighting the generational divide in opinions on masculinity in modern society. YouGov
10. The bottom line. Do you tip after a meal out? One in five of us haven’t in the past year, according to a survey of 2,100 UK adults. Nearly half (46%) hadn’t tipped food delivery drivers either, and 34% never tip taxi or Uber drivers. Why? About a fifth (22%) say it simply doesn’t occur to them, while 14% blame money constraints. Which?
