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...]
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...]
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...]
Walking the Tightrope
What would you do? Here's the scenario: A customer rings up and you take the call. The customer is calling to complain about a report they received from your company. They complain that the report is poorly written and contains a number of factual errors. You check the report and see that it's written by your manager. What do you do? 'Saving face' - it's a concept that we usually associate … [Read more...]
Language Matters
There's a part of me that dies inside when I hear cliches. Business ideas described as a 'gap in the market' (seriously?), managers who talk about 'going forward' (it's quite difficult to go backwards), or 'blue skies thinking' (translated = I have no idea how to solve this problem). Cliches are overused expressions which lack originality of thought and clarity of intent. I'd rather spend time … [Read more...]
Just How Good Are You at Your Job?
'Staff member who is a technical expert but a relationship dunce' - was the title of the post on the Linked In site of Human Resource Institute of NZ group this week. The problem - someone who is technically competent in their work but no-one wants to work with them. It was a subject that resonated with many people - there were a flood of responses. So what does it take to be competent in your … [Read more...]