Decision impossible: Coaching leaders out of mission‑critical missteps

Priority Level: Red — High Risk, High Impact

Authorisation: For people function operatives eyes only

Objective: Prevent organisational meltdown by upgrading leadership decision-making capabilities.

Background Intelligence

Reading the recurrent news of organisations mis-stepping and being unethical, from the Post Office Horizon scandal and P&O Ferries fire-and-rehire to the UK water companies and the Co-op’s alleged toxic culture raises a critical question: where are their People functions in all this? Were they consulted? Overruled? Ignored? Or simply not equipped with the influence, tools, and voice required to divert the business from danger? How can you make sure your business doesn’t reach mission failure and instead lead them to success?

Mission Itinerary:

You are invited to a morning tactical session, complete with essential field rations (i.e. tea, coffee, and breakfast rolls), to:

· Decode what effective leadership truly looks like — with insight from local experts.

· Analyse real-world case files where leadership failed and consequences followed.

· Explore practical strategies People teams can use to be heard, trusted, and acted upon.

· Sharpen your ability to coach leaders away from risky assumptions, blind spots, and “I’ll just wing it” decisions.

Your Mission Commanders:

Joining your local CIPD Branch for this mission will be:

· Matt Davies, Hapus People — bringing ground-level intel on leadership behaviours that either make or break organisational success.

· Natalie Savery, Leaderful Action — our branch insider, providing tactical guidance on how to communicate so leaders can truly listen, respond, and adapt when problems surface.

· And perhaps one or two more stealthy operatives!

Matt – Hapus People

Matt Davies is the CEO of Hapus People, a HR and People Strategy company that partners with your organisation to help your people team with retained support, People Projects and Executive Coaching. Matt is incredibly passionate about Inclusion, the changing landscape and about getting organised to drive inclusion and belonging.

Natalie Savery - Leaderful Action

Natalie Savery is the Director at Leaderful Action, a purpose-led learning provider that specialises in supporting leaders, teams and organisations to be at their best. Natalie is also Co-chair of the CIPD SE Wales Branch

Mission Objectives

If you succeed in this mission, you will:

1. Have gained knowledge and tips on building trust and credibility so leaders seek your counsel before — not after — a crisis.

2. Understand ways to use your People Function voice strategically to influence high‑stakes decisions

3. Know how to potentially detect early signals of leadership missteps and intervene effectively.

Information:

09:30 - food and mingle

10:00 - Event starts

Driving: Complimentary parking onsite, or nearby NPC parking available via Pierhead Street. Due to the nearby stadium/development construction, there is no access via Lloyd George Avenue, Hemingway Road or Schooner Wharf. Current access only via A4232 or A4234 Central Link.

· Eastbound (Penarth/Bridgend): via A4232 southbound to Caspian Way roundabout, 1st exit after the tunnel and left-hand lane to Red Dragon Centre car park.

· Westbound (Newport, Cwmbran): via A48(M) to A4232 eastbound joining Rover Way, 2nd exit then immediate 1st exit to Eastern Bay Link Road to Caspian Way roundabout, 3rd exit then left-hand land Red Dragon Centre car park.

Rail: Cardiff Bay Train Station, then a 10-minute walk east through the Red Dragon Centre and east-side car park.

Bus: Services 1/1A (City Circle), 6 & 8 (City – C. Bay), 304 (Llantwit Major – Cardiff), 305 (Dinas Powys – Cardiff) all serve the bus station on Lloyd George Avenue next to the Red Dragon Centre, then a 5-minute walk east through the Red Dragon Centre and east-side car park.

Please note:

1. Reminder emails will be sent to you the day before, with a further reminder on the morning of the event.

2. Photography and video production may take place at the event, and these images may be used in the CIPD newsletters.

3. By attending the event, you are giving your consent for your image to be used on any CIPD promotional materials.

4. Please cancel your ticket so someone else can take your place if your plans change and you can no longer make it – there is usually a waitlist for our events.

5. This event may include an external speaker who has prepared their own presentation. Any views or opinions expressed by the speaker are their own and do not reflect those of the CIPD.

6. If you require any reasonable adjustments to enhance your experience, please get in contact with us by responding to this email and we will do our best to accommodate.

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

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Host or Publisher The CIPD Branch in South East Wales