Growing or developing in a work context is usually about skill and performance of vocational ability. How about extending this attention to emotional or psycho-social ability, like the character and practice of kindness? How might you mix a cocktail of work activity with a strong serving of kindness? Setting your intentions It starts with intention.…
“If you think you can, or can’t – you are right.” – Henry Ford, 1947 I thought my first draft of my book was terrible, and I probably would have stopped there if it wasn’t for Stuart. I have written many words over the years in my various blog posts, and I had been…
I was forty when I learnt to fly. I was ten when I decided I wanted to fly – like Superman. I had a red cardigan I would do up the top button and wear like a cape. Then I would jump off the top of the fence. Needless to say, my mother did not…
I was recently talking to someone and found myself using the green room as an analogy for a period of waiting. Green rooms came into being in the world of theatre; they are rooms backstage where performers hang out while they’re waiting to perform, sort of like a theatrical lounge room. I used to be…
Feedback is a tool that is commonly used in organisations as a mechanism for growth and change. It’s typically expected that a manager or team leader will give feedback periodically on an individual’s performance to help the individual grow and develop, and also for the team and organization to better develop. This isn’t an article…
The COVID-19 pandemic created conditions in which experimentation was a useful way to figure out how I might do things differently in my workscape. It is said that ‘Necessity is the mother of invention’. In Jan 2021, I found myself contemplating a year ahead without clarity of what steps to take. In 2020 I had…
A few years ago, whilst I was in an L&D leadership role at a large organisation, a graduate approached me in the kitchen. She got straight to the point, “I’ve been here for nine months and I haven’t had any learning” she said. I asked what she meant. What transpired was she hadn’t been sent…
Being bored only proves what inspires you, therefore what you enjoy. ~ Bob Kenerson (my father), said many times in my childhood It felt like déjà vu all over again. Ground hog day. The same work projects ticked along day after day, week after week. I was comfortable in my job, enjoying the team I…
I’ve recently read a report on 2020 Talent Trends from Mercer, and I think there’s insight and implications for employees. Mercer is a large HR consulting company. They do research and prepare advice for Executives and HR personnel to apply with employees. One recent form of advice came in their Annual Global Talent Trends Report…
Work can play a big part in our lives. Our work can become a place for which we lose energy, interest and will. What are the signals that it’s time to take stock and see if you need to leave the path you are on, or do something different while walking your current path? …
People tell you persistence is vital in creating your career narrative, but what does that look like? We all realise it is made up of keeping on despite the dips and is a vital factor in the eventual realisation of your vision, but, like many abstract ideas, it needs fleshing out to help you fully…
This third article in a 3-part series about How to leave a job. The first two articles are A. Making the decision to leave and B. Exiting yourself from the job. This article focuses on the space of transitioning to a new job. C. Transitioning to a new job It’s like you’re swinging on trapezes –…
People often say they want to work with, or for someone, where they feel valued. However, Value isn’t the same thing for everyone. What is Value specifically for you? What things are evidence that you are being valued? What is Valuable to you when it comes to the work you do? An Exchange of Value…
Today marks five years in Australia for my partner and me. That’s five years of living and working in a country that represents the true land of opportunity to us. Disclaimer: I love Australia and Australians dearly, so if that annoys you, better stop reading now. I used to say that there has never been…
