What if we're wrong about performance?

Tuesday 29/09/26

15:00 - 17:30

What if skills aren't the issue, and a learning programme is no longer the answer?

29/09/26 @ 15:00 - 17:30

Chiswell Street Dining Rooms, EC1

Event Overview

Workplace strategies are often celebrated when they’re announced, on social media and in our trade press. The valuable insights often come later, once organisations have had time to evaluate what worked, what didn’t, and reflect on why.

This afternoon brings together in-house L&D, Talent and OD Leaders from similar-sized organisations local to EC1 to share those experiences, challenge ideas and learn from one another.

Two short talks start the conversation. The room explores the ideas together. And where a conversation is worth continuing, the people in the room can create a peer-led Corner to continue it.

Charles Jennings asks why programmes fail as a solution system.

Alex Boulting asks whether we are misdiagnosing performance problems as skills problems.

Drinks, canapés and time to get to know the people in the room.

£150 - one seat.

£225 - two seats.

Learn from people solving the same organisational challenges you are.

No suppliers.
No sales pitches.

Just people that do the job.

The Four Corners Club learning approach

We believe the best learning comes from people with recent lived experience.

1

Talks

Two short talks start the conversation.

2

Table Discussions

The room explores the ideas together, sharing experience and challenging assumptions.

3

Corners

Where conversation is worth continuing, people in the room can create a peer-led Corner to continue it.

Why this room?

An afternoon for People and Culture Leaders from local, similar sized organisations, facing similar workplace challenges.

The afternoon

Two short talks. Then the tables.

Charles Jennings asks why another learning programme is so often the default solution.

Alex Boulting asks whether skills gaps are sometimes the wrong diagnosis.

Twenty minutes each. Then the room talks.

The aim isn’t to sit through content. It’s to learn from people doing similar jobs, facing similar organisational challenges, and local enough to continue the conversation.

The attendees

Senior People and Culture leaders who own or shape Learning, Talent or Organisational Development within their organisation.

People local to EC1 that want to learn with peers facing similar challenges.

No suppliers, no sales pitches. Just people that do the job.

The Corners

An event starts the conversation. A Corner continues it.

Some conversations are too valuable to finish when the afternoon does.

If enough people want to keep exploring a particular organisational challenge, we’ll help bring a small group together afterwards.

No presentation. No new speaker. Just peers continuing the conversation, sharing experience and going deeper into the challenge.

Corners can meet at Chiswell Street, online or somewhere that works for the group.

The investment

Price

£150 for one place.
£225 for two colleagues from the same organisation.

Let's stop reinventing the wheel

Lets share what's working and what's not.

Guest contributors:

Charles Jennings

Charles Jennings is a workplace learning and organisational performance expert with over 40 years’ experience, including a partner of the 70:20:10 Institute and serving as Chief Learning Officer at Reuters and Thomson Reuters.

Alex Boulting

Alex Boulting is an Organisational Development leader with over 20 years’ experience across GSK, IBM, Amnesty International and Transport for London.

Questions?

Call 020 8674 2685

Venue Information

The Four Corners Club meets at Chiswell Street Dining Rooms, 56 Chiswell St, London EC1Y 4SA

The Clubhouse

Chiswell Street Dining Rooms (built in 1750) is the Clubhouse for all community events.

Location

Easy to get to and find. A short walk from Moorgate, Barbican or Liverpool Street.

Click Here To View On Map

Food and Drinks

Canapés and drinks are included.

Additional questions?

To arrange a call with James Pearson our Director of Learning, please choose a time that suits.

Frequently Asked
Questions

Is there a cost to this event?

Yes, £150 per person £225 for two colleagues from the same organisation.

Can I bring a colleague?

You’re welcome to request an additional place for a colleague in a similar senior HR, People, Learning or Organisational Development role. If we have availability we can offer this.

Will there be suppliers?

No. Speakers are invited because they have something worth sharing, not something to sell. No stands, no pitches, no 1-to-1s in the diary. We do not hand out the attendee list.

Will I be put on the spot or asked to speak?

No. Most discussion is in tables. Contribute as much or as little as you like.

Where is the event?

Chiswell Street Dining Rooms,

56 Chiswell St,

London

EC1Y 4SA

Why have I been invited?

Every invitation is extended individually to senior leaders running similar sized organisations, near Chiswell Street, EC1.

Is there a cost to this event?

Is there a cost to this event?

Yes, £150 per person £225 for two colleagues from the same organisation.

Can I bring a colleague?

Can I bring a colleague?

You’re welcome to request an additional place for a colleague in a similar senior HR, People, Learning or Organisational Development role. If we have availability we can offer this.

Will there be suppliers?

Will there be suppliers?

No. Speakers are invited because they have something worth sharing, not something to sell. No stands, no pitches, no 1-to-1s in the diary. We do not hand out the attendee list.

Will I be put on the spot or asked to speak?

Will I be put on the spot or asked to speak?

No. Most discussion is in tables. Contribute as much or as little as you like.

Where is the event?

Where is the event?

Chiswell Street Dining Rooms,

56 Chiswell St,

London

EC1Y 4SA

Why have I been invited?

Why have I been invited?

Every invitation is extended individually to senior leaders running similar sized organisations, near Chiswell Street, EC1.

Make a booking for:

'What if we're wrong about performance?'

Date: 29/09/26
Time: 15:00 -17:30