Writing and thinking are part of how I make sense of the modern world of work. My books and ideas explore the human, practical and often messy reality of work, leadership, hybrid working and the pressures we place on people in organisations. Talk to me about these by emailing me at: gary.cookson@epichr.co.uk
The Squeezed Middle
Middle managers hold organisations together – yet they are often the most pressured, least supported and most misunderstood group in the system. This work explores the reality of the “squeezed middle”: the emotional load, leadership expectations, structural pressures and what organisations must do differently if they truly want better leadership.
Making Hybrid Working Work
Hybrid working isn’t about desks, days or policies. It’s about trust, clarity, performance, fairness and making work feel human again.
This book takes a balanced, practical look at hybrid working and helps leaders design approaches that actually work in the real world – for people and performance.
HR for Hybrid Working
HR was thrown into the spotlight during the shift to hybrid – and this book explores how HR teams can lead confidently, thoughtfully and effectively in a new era of work. It’s grounded, honest and full of practical thinking about capability, culture, leadership and what HR needs to become to truly add value in modern organisations.
What I write about
Writing is part of how I make sense of the messy reality of work and leadership. My pieces appear in professional outlets and reflect both practical experience and deep thinking about how organisations, leaders and people operate today.
My articles have appeared in industry publications worldwide, including People Management, HR Magazine, HR.com, Transform, the HR Director, and more.
Core Themes I Explore
Hybrid working and modern work design
How people work, why hybrid isn’t just desks and days, and what leaders need to prioritise to make hybrid genuinely effective.
Workplace excellence and organisational culture
What it takes to build workplaces where people perform, belong and innovate – not just survive.
People, processes and performance
Coaching, mentoring, performance management, HR effectiveness and how good people processes deliver tangible organisational results.
Leadership, capability and behaviour
Real leadership questions: confidence, accountability, resilience, difficult conversations and what modern managers actually need to thrive.
Future-focused HR and work trends
Digital transformation, the evolving role of HR, inclusion and wellbeing – not as buzzwords, but as real shifts organisations must navigate.