I went tramping last weekend to Lake Angelus in the Nelson Lakes National Park (for those who haven't been there, it is stunning!). Within my family, my usual role when it comes to organising a trip away is limited to packing the food and the kid's clothes. And boy, have I got those packing skills down! This time was different though. This time it was just about me - no kids! I had to think … [Read more...]
Movie or Meeting?
Movie or meeting? What would you rather do? Go to a movie or attend your weekly team meeting? Most people would prefer their weekly team meeting. (Only joking). You won’t be surprised to learn that when I ask that question in training workshops, the consistent reply is that most people would rather watch a movie. Why? Because meetings are boring and movies aren’t. And yet, the decisions you … [Read more...]
How resilient are you?
Highly resilient people are able to cope well with adversity, learn valuable lessons from their tough experience and use it to their advantage. Today, employees in every work place experience on-going change. They’re asked to take on new responsibilities, learn new skills, and often have less time. Highly resilient workers are able to cope well with on-going change and they sustain good health and … [Read more...]
It's time to replace the 'sink or swim' strategy for our new leaders
In one of the biggest ironies on the planet, we tell people "You’re so good at your job that we’re now going to give you another role (where you don’t do the stuff you’re really good at anymore). "Instead, we're going to promote you to a role where you teach others how to do your job." But here’s the catch. "Even though you may have spent years learning your trade or profession, we’re just going … [Read more...]
Team Diversity & The Power of a Question
‘Diversity in business teams’ has become a catch-cry. Whether it is gender, ethnicity, age or ability, the inference is that great teams need diversity amongst its membership. But what value does diversity bring to the team? For good teams to become great, they need to share a common vision, and ownership in the creation of goals and strategies to achieve that vision. Teams that are harmonious … [Read more...]
Be a Better Communicator
Want to be a better communicator? It all starts with listening. Do you listen with the intent to understand or the intent to answer? It takes emotional fortitude to phone a government department. It’s a bit like a mission I choose to accept, a challenge to overcome, a game that I want to win. It all started with an application to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE). I … [Read more...]
Don’t leave them guessing – tips for giving feedback
There’s a saying that ‘the culture of an organisation is shaped by the worst behaviour the leader is willing to tolerate' And let’s face it, most leaders would rather clean the bathroom than give constructive feedback. However, feedback, when delivered well, builds culture and performance within your team. People need to know how they’re doing and feedback gives people direction on the … [Read more...]
Lessons from the Letterbox
IT componentry, bike parts and clothing. All are examples of online purchases bought from the comfort of your own home and destined to arrive seamlessly at your door. Except that this time I decided to push the envelope. This time I decided to buy a letterbox online. Not just any old bog standard letterbox; a concrete letterbox weighing 104kg. I should have read the warning signs when the freight … [Read more...]
Life is like a box of chocolates. Six tips to ensure you get the caramel.
January is the time for breaking New Year's resolutions. As people return to work after the Christmas break, they tend to ask themselves those perennial questions 'where am I going, what am I doing and how will I know when I get there?' Taking time to get off the treadmill, eat copious amounts of food, drink too much wine and have the obligatory family argument can be both invigorating and … [Read more...]
Keep Calm and Carry On – The Path to Building Resilience
Feelings of panic, stress and uncertainty were likely felt by many throughout New Zealand during the earthquakes on Monday. As New Zealanders, earthquake stress is something we are learning to address and understand. There are opportunities to support each other, develop strategies to cope and be prepared for the future. Some people are able to 'keep calm and carry on' in the aftermath of … [Read more...]