Today is Cup Day. Melbourne Cup. The final field of 24 horses ran around the Flemington Race Track until they clocked up 3200m. It’s in its 158th year. It’s a big deal here. It’s a public holiday. And it's known as 'the race that stops a nation'. Turns out, horse racing isn't that different from the workplace. Here's my field of 14: The 2019 Melbourne Cup The Workplace This year there are only two Australian horses running. It’s a global marketplace. There’s only room … [Read more...]
A surprisingly easy solution to help people do even better
In the leadership field, you may have noticed how many ideas are simple, yet difficult to put into practice. Which is why what I'm about to share with you today is a real pearler (that's Australian slang for very impressive). It's straight from my award-winning PhD research. I was amazed to discover this. It really is a surprisingly easy solution to help people do even better. It's what I found to be the key difference between those who were thriving at work and those who were not. In a word, … [Read more...]
Are you a knowledge snacker?
There are some things we just don't do as well as the robots. And there are some things the robots just don't do as well as us. Still, we need to adapt. And the best way I know is to keep on learning. Turns out I'm not alone: 'The future of leadership is learning', says the brilliant Heather McGowan. 'The best leaders are the best learners', says the brilliant Jim Kouzes. But, learn what? When it comes to leadership, whatever your craft, you'll want to learn the people skills … [Read more...]
Are you being lazy or kind when you keep them on?
One of my clients refers to the dinosaurs she's discovered roaming the floor of her new workplace. Another talks about how, at her workplace, the owners feel morally obliged to keep people on. Because of their years of service. Because they're getting close to retirement age. And possibly because they simply can't bring themselves to let them go. Even if it would be best for the business. Even if it's the right thing to do for all their colleagues who pick up their slack. Are they being … [Read more...]
Is that really you?
Do you have a nose like Pinocchio? Gosh, that was popular. I'm referring to the FREE Executive Presence eBook and Checklist that I shared with you last week. Help yourself if you haven't already. Simply click here and scroll down to get your copy. Recently, a client asked, before we'd met if I actually looked like my photo. You know, the one you see above. His concern was that I was doing what some allegedly do on those dating sites. When the person you meet is, at best, an older version of … [Read more...]
Do you want to master executive presence? A new resource for you
You know those networking events where you know nobody? Well, I thought, I won't stand here like a gooseberry. That lady looks friendly, I'll talk to her. So I moseyed on up and asked the standard "what do you do?" question. She happily replied, "I help leaders improve their executive presence". Like so much corporate-speak, it sounds great but you're often left wondering exactly what people mean. No surprise when it comes to executive presence. There's no agreed-upon definition. But I was … [Read more...]
Leaders choose their words carefully
What's more Strine than a kangaroo? Our Year 11 maths teacher was running late one day. While waiting, Charlie, now a successful journalist and author, reached into his bag and pulled out the book Les Stalk Strine (it’s how someone with a heavy Aussie accent says: Let’s talk Australian). He kept us all entertained with rhyming slang. ‘Pass the dead horse’, for example, means pass the tomato sauce. Go figure! It’s all been on the back of the recent white anting post. It was rather popular, … [Read more...]
What people see and what you secretly feel
Sneaking carrots. I've affectionately called these guinea pigs Erving and Goffman - for introducing me to the idea of front stage and back stage all those years ago. Are you one of those people who others tell their secrets to? More than average lately, people have been sharing their warning signs with me, that things are beginning to crack. That their front stage 'positive, polite and professional at all times' self is at risk. Backstage, here's what's really going on: A pain in … [Read more...]
Room with a view
Today I'm working from a special slice of paradise - Mission Beach. It's just south of Cairns, a hop, step and a jump to the Great Barrier Reef in Far North Queensland. I'm here for my friends' wedding. Me and 107 other guests who've come to share their special day. This was the view from my room at sunrise this morning. That's Dunk Island to the right. Views are prime real estate everywhere, and office-land is no exception. When I first started working, in the days before open plan, your … [Read more...]
How friendly are you with your colleagues?
When thinking about friends at work, it's not as simple as whether you like someone or not. Work relationships are more complex. And here's why. First, there's the personal relationship with a colleague (aka frolleague) and how close you feel. There's a range that goes something like this: Unfriendly. Friendly (eg. acquaintance). Friend. Close friend. Best friend. Intimate (eg. life partner). You might ask yourself if that degree of closeness is too much, too little or … [Read more...]
