Managing up is one of those things we all need to master. Why not see what we can learn from those who manage us? If anything, it’s a great place to start because there’s nothing at stake. One smart cookie who learned to manage me well is Anna (not her real name). Some years ago I was told: “Anna is joining your team”. Anna, the ‘going nowhere’ girl. The plodder. … [Read more...]
Are you remembering your successes?
It's Cup Day. Melbourne Cup. The final field of 22 horses is running around the Flemington Race Track until they’ve clocked up 3200m. It’s in its 154th year. I remember we’d stop whatever we were doing in class and Mrs Tomkinson would put on the radio at 3pm so we could listen to the race. The only other time I recall that happening at school was to hear these words live: “It’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind”. (Yes, I was at school in 1969!) … [Read more...]
Are you lonely at work?
You're not alone in feeling lonely at work. I've sure felt it. I remember most keenly the first day working at one of those big, professional consulting firms. One of the Big 4. It started with riding up in the elevator to a floor where your ears pop and you then step out onto a floor with lots of cold, hard surfaces and glass, glass and more glass. That just made the whole experience more daunting. I didn't know anyone apart from my new boss who was nowhere to be seen. I was shown my desk … [Read more...]
Are you teaching your people how to think?
One of the best compliments I ever received was from a very challenging staff member. At least she was very challenging at first. I’d keep hearing on the grapevine what a bad boss I was and how horrible I was to work with! I didn’t like it. Then I started to wonder about it. I got curious. I realised it would happen every time I’d give her a stretch assignment. Aha! She was scared she wouldn’t be able to step up. So she acted out by spreading the bad word. … [Read more...]
Are you being taken seriously?
The first time it happened I was only 10. I was swinging from one of those rope swings under the tree in the back yard when all of a sudden a Magpie swooped, landed on my head and started to scratch. I screamed. It flew off and I ran inside. As my Mum consoled me I cried: "I'm not a bird's nest". Well, you can only imagine how much teasing fun my siblings had with that! … [Read more...]
How to retire well
She was born in 1234. It always stops people in their tracks. “Date of birth?” “1234” she replies with a smile. The first of February 1934. My Mum is 80¾ years old. With a birth date like that it’s not hard to understand her love affair with numbers and patterns. … [Read more...]
