Questioning is about curiosity and taking an interest in people and the world in order to unlock the unknown mysteries that surround you. Children are naturally curious, but their avidity for information wears off once they encounter rules, blocks and disinterest. We all need to develop constructive questioning techniques which help us to gradually understand […]
Pride is a very natural emotion – within limits. But maybe in some organisations we don’t get to experience it often enough. There’s an appropriate time to briefly savour a well-deserved triumph. For some it means gloating; some people never know when to stop pushing themselves and their accomplishments in everyone else’s faces. But sooner or […]
Are you a leader who disappoints your team? I always like to hear what people say about poor leaders they have experienced because we can learn so much from them. At some recent leadership workshops I facilitated, we discussed leaders who have inspired us and what was disappointing and needed improvement. I found some common […]
Peer education is powerful. Sometimes you learn so much more from a colleague who’s been on the job longer than you, than from a designated trainer, a guru giving a TED Talk or that well-remunerated speaker who was brought in to rev up your business breakfast. Peer-based learning Decades ago the phrase “sitting by Nellie” […]
How many of us use an excuse to avoid exercise or exclaim pathetically “my day is too full“? We all get the same amount of time to spend; it’s how we use that time which counts. Walking meetings are a great, simple, straightforward concept. Getting started Simply grab a colleague you need to talk to […]
Are you happy at work? Do you look forward to Mondays? How do you feel returning from vacation — refreshed and ready to get back into work, or disappointed you had to come back. It’s important that work and our workplace gives us contentment. But what are the optimum conditions and indicators of genuine contentment […]
A recent story about ABC management requesting staff to engage in ice-breaking activities with fluffy toys generated public derision and made me think about the comedy training videos videos I’ve made showing how crazy some managers can be. Despite the element of fun, companies and government organisations can’t rely on bonding games to make a difference to workplace relationships […]
Teams don’t just magically feel inspired, or suddenly develop a poor culture where people are not motivated. I am always amazed at managers who blame their teams for their poor mood, poor output and lack of initiative. It starts at the top. Strategies to inspire your people 1. Do a big SWOT of new technology Make this an […]
Do you share an office with a person who’s dug themselves into a bad place over months or years – maybe hoarding archival paperwork, folders and books in an obsessive sulky way, or subjecting you to constant rants about hatred of the job, hatred of the people, hatred of life in general, or maybe just […]
