Sometimes we forget how much our attitude and communication style impacts those around us, and ultimately impacts our career opportunities. Everyone needs to communicate assertively, not aggressively. Respectful, assertive behaviours at work are essential for cohesive teams. Managers must lead the way by creating a positive workplace culture with assertive but respectful communication. We all […]
Watch out for stress – it’s only January!
It’s a new year and a chance to change bad overdrive and stressful habits or at least recognise when you are falling into stress traps like you did last year. Stress can creep up on us and by the time we recognise it, the stress triggers have taken hold and pressure is building and we […]
Don’t allow your workplace to be bugged by fear and prejudice
A recent incident gave me a glimpse of what divides us in our workplaces, as well as in wider society. My grandkids (five and eight) were enjoying a kids’ dinner served on skewers at a Melbourne cafe on a warm summer’s evening – a new year’s treat. A huge beetle was flying nearby and at […]
Nothing is impossible, just ask Nelson Mandela
When it comes to tackling an ‘impossible’ task, we all have a tendency to inhabit metaphorical cages. Sometimes the cages are put there by others, and the locks and bars are strong. Other cages are self-imposed, caused by feelings of panic, being overwhelmed or failing to see “the forest for the trees”. A huge task […]
Turn complaints into congratulations
Everything is going along nicely, and then, just when you don’t need it, you’re faced with a big mental, maybe even emotional, slap – a complaint about your work, your service or your products. Whether the complaint is in writing or in person, you feel skewered by the person’s accusation. All these factors can make […]
How to stop procrastinating
I think we can all agree: when we procrastinate, it’s because we’re faced with a task or an issue we really, really do not want to tackle. Maybe we love it once on a roll but for some reason we find the task of starting a huge barrier. Procrastination happens to us all. Sometimes it’s […]
Remove blinkers and blinders to see opportunity
Are you feeling in a rut right now whereby no matter what you do, everyone else seems to be rushing by? It happens when you’ve had a run of bad luck – the type that Murphy (whoever he once was) knows all about. Things get to a point in one’s life when you feel everyone’s blind […]
5 ways to counteract workplace productivity killers
We often focus on personality problems and interpersonal difficulties at work, and sometimes invent creative reasons for why productivity is low, or lower than we think it should be. But maybe there are basic physical flaws that are impacting the way we work –for example a more ergonomic chair and desk relationship. I was delighted […]
How to go from beat up to upbeat
We all have periods in our lives when things feel bad and we slide downhill and can’t seem to get back up. There’s lots of bad news, frequently random incidents everywhere, and things have been tough for many people this year. You can make a difference right away to your immediate circumstances, your mood, and […]