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 […]
Setbacks can make or break a small business or contractor. The key to survival is to move through the bad phase as effectively as possible and finding the right mantra so you don’t crack when facing a sudden hurdle. Here’s an example: Jules, a small Australian business owner, has been a contractor to a successful US […]
What makes some men, and even some women, start to abuse others when in power? Not all powerful people turn nasty or look for sexual opportunities at work, but we are seeing a wave of “victims coming out” and the repercussions for senior executives and boards having to respond with actions not turning a blind […]
“Aim for the moon. If you miss, you may hit a star.” This wonderful quote is from entrepreneur and writer, the late William Clement Stone. Stone made numerous observations but I especially like this: “There is very little difference in people, but that little difference makes a big difference! The little difference is attitude. The […]
When someone is not interested in what you have to say, cuts you off, or ignores the way you are feeling, it blocks a productive relationship from developing. For great internal and external business relationships, we need to build rapport when we meet face-to-face, on the phone and even in writing. If you’re shy or […]
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 […]
