Blog
Mean spirited conflict in the workplace
When you hear the term “mean spirited”, what kind of person comes to mind? It’s a term that often comes up in many of our workplaces, and produces images of personal attacks and dysfunctional games that manifest in so many ways; holding back information, sabotage,...
Building Resilience in the Workplace
I’ve been fortunate to have the opportunity to coach many leaders throughout the year and have seen a very common trend in many of our business and government leaders – burnout, stress and fatigue. For me it usually comes across in the early part of exploring their...
Monsters in the Workplace – Narcissistic Leaders
Trick or Treat? Halloween is only once a year, but as we’re all too aware, monsters can lurk in our midst at any time. Many workplaces have monsters of their own, and one of those is the narcissist. You know, that colleague who somehow manages to revert every topic of...
The Power of Introverts
The Power of Introverts Our workplaces, the way we meet, the way we teach and the way we interact in a team, is designed for extroverts. Open plan, group brainstorming, team projects and high profile “celebrity” leaders are all part of the rise of the “extrovert...
Why Conflict Is Essential To Forward Motion
When I tell people in my workshops that conflict is essential if teams are to perform well and be highly productive, it always provokes frowns and an uncomfortable shifting of chairs. “Do you mean that?” They ask. “Could we just say ‘strong conversations’ or ‘spirited...
Are you a one-dimensional leader?
Are you a one-dimensional leader? Do you focus solely on your natural strengths and delegate anything you either dislike, or that is outside your comfort zone? Everyone has a psychological comfort zone to which they gravitate, particularly in challenging...
Should I stay or should I grow?
This is personal! Why? Because I have been in roles where I have stopped growing..I’ve just stayed in the role for a year too long or I’ve waited for that next big opportunity to come along to challenge and excite me. Usually I’ve been underwhelmed when it hasn’t and...
Do you work for a not so great leader?
Do you work for a not so great leader? I’ve been privileged to work for some great leaders. I’ve also worked for some not so great leaders. The best thing is I’ve learnt a lot from both. I recently read the best-selling biography of Steve Jobs by Walter...
Thank goodness it’s Monday
Thank goodness it’s Monday I was recently conducting a workshop with a group of executives, focussing on strategies to develop a positive culture. I asked the question; how would you measure a highly engaged team? One of the executives said, “I’d love our team to come...
Don’t blame your culture
In any given day you can hear leaders in organisations around the country saying things like “that won’t work in our culture” or making excuses such as “Don’t worry about it, that’s just the culture in this place”. Culture is thought to be too big to ignore, too tough...