It seems speaking up is (finally) getting the traction it deserves. Whether it’s calling out sexist behaviour or airing a systemic wrong that has flourished unchecked for years, plain speaking is definitely having a moment. Julia Banks’ high-profile defection to the federal parliament crossbench a few days ago, and her eloquent speech about bullying in the Liberal ranks in […]
7 essential steps to create a thriving, respectful workplace culture
“One bad apple don’t spoil the whole bunch, girl” is a puzzling aphorism, but perhaps the Osmonds were just being hopeful. Eighteenth-century inventor Benjamin Franklin saw it the other way — “the rotten apple spoils his companion”. Apples give off ethylene, so as one rots, the others begin to as well, and before you know it, […]
Open-plan offices — a love-hate relationship at work
Is the open-plan workplace a viable and healthy work option? Or is it too noisy and distracting? Researchers have deemed open-plan offices as poor for productivity, worse for socialising and bad all round for catching germs. Hot-desking Many government departments and large companies are only just getting into the swing of open-plan hot-desking, where employees […]
Why we need to rethink the concept of work
With so many women now in the workplace and feminism’s early victories (it’s been over a century since women were first given the vote, more than half a century since the advent of the Pill, and there’s at least 50% female graduation in today’s university courses), you’d think that old glass ceiling would be badly […]
5 ways to elevate your team morale
You can walk into any workplace and know pretty quickly how good its team morale is — especially after a few days off for some public holidays. How often does a charismatic leader stride into a room, spray sparkly ideals and directions and have everyone dazed in some kind of afterglow? Rarely! Often those in […]
The benefits of diversity and overcoming biases
Diversity at work is really about learning to build, extend and recognise everyone as people rather than labels or stereotypes. Privileging diversity for its own sake? Sometimes we see an inevitable corrective reaction to years of systemically unfair, often unconscionable behaviours and practices, many of which continue to exist. Here we have one diversity surmounting […]
Three wiser monkeys build an anti-bullying culture at work
We continually read about claims from victims of bullying in their workplace, or whistleblowers who report oppressive workplace cultures that condone bullying and discrimination. Bullying alive and unwell Not everyone is sure of what constitutes bullying, sometimes being too quick or slow to label behaviours that ultimately pose health and safety risks, costing companies millions every […]
Are your corporate values robust?
Is what we say what we do? Is what guides us appropriate for the business? How do we make sure people are aligned to the values? Do our values resonate with our clients and stakeholders? Lots of companies sign up to the notion that they’re as much about “values” as turning a profit. Some believe […]