“Does anyone have any objectives – I mean, objections?” the managing director asked the assembled throng. Aha, thought a copywriting friend, that’s it! Her boss’ Freudian slip illuminated the problem with her team. That’s why we always get objections, because people have different objectives. One person’s objective is almost inevitably cause for someone else’s objection. […]
Were you put off writing by pedantic English teachers during your school years? Wading through five hundred year-old plays and analysing a character’s motives for tortuous essays does not necessarily maketh great authors. Possibly Will Shakespeare himself would today be writing movies or dramas for Netflix, where the plots might be the same but his […]
Work for most of us is survival. It means the difference between simply existing, keeping food on the table and bills paid, and more importantly enabling us to progress. Work gives us meaning We spend most of our adult lives working. Work provides us with not only money to live, but a sense of identity […]
Can I be of assistance? You hear that a lot, often when you haven’t asked for it. Very often it’s part of a call centre script; the consultant’s bot-like responses are the giveaway. Or you’re shopping, and there’s a retail assistant helicoptering when you want to be left alone. These aren’t exercises in being helpful, […]
Workplaces are like families – there’ll always be those whose communication style you love and others who rub you up the wrong way. How do you feel coming in to work? Happy to see your colleagues, looking forward to communicating with everyone? Or do some people at work feel tedious and an effort? Open plan […]
Have you ever been confronted by a co-worker about your annoying behaviour? Are you considered an annoying co-worker? Do you change your ways? A recent survey of 2,000 American workers showed that when asked “Have you ever been aware that you’re annoying a co-worker, but done it anyway?”, an astounding 24% said ‘yes’. These people were most likely to […]
There are always times we feel energized and motivated. But what are your triggers? Is the glow from your summer break fading? Are you on your morning commute, in traffic or on transport, smartphone and cooling coffee in hand, pressed up against your fellow travelers? A new day in a new year and it is […]
The year is moving fast – we were looking back at our achievements and winding down in December and heading up to new year. Then suddenly the weeks flew by and now it is time to wind back up. So make a few guiding principles for yourself to start the year on a great note. […]
We know managers can be so upsetting for some that workers leave and find new jobs. But what about co-workers? Have annoying workers led you to change jobs? The latest research of 2000 American workers by Olivet Nazarene University claims to have uncovered the truth about annoying workers. Thirty-six percent of people said yes – […]
