When someone communicates poorly, misses the mark, or catches us on a bad day, it’s easy to assume the worst: “They did it on purpose to undermine me.”“They’re having a go at me.”“They don’t like me.” Sound familiar? We all do it. Our brains are wired to protect us - not necessarily to be reasonable. […]
Part 2: Three questions to help you take action (even if it feels uncomfortable) Last week, I shared 10 reasons people avoid difficult conversations – from fear of conflict and emotion, to not knowing how to start or worrying we’ll say the wrong thing. If any of those reasons resonated with you, you’re not alone. […]
Part 1: 10 reasons we put them off (even when we know we shouldn't) Most people hate having hard conversations. They’re uncomfortable, awkward, and emotionally charged. It’s much easier to convince ourselves we’ll deal with it later… or hope the problem magically sorts itself out on its own. But here’s the truth: avoiding hard conversations […]
Many years ago, I was the communications manager for a water corporation delivering a $200 million world-first wastewater treatment and recycling system. It was a vital project with significant benefits for the community, but it wasn’t popular with everyone. Partially funded through water tariffs, it contributed to residential water bills doubling over five years. Add to […]
With an election year upon us in Australia and global politics more unpredictable than ever, decisions are increasingly being shaped by political agendas. Priorities are shifting, tensions are rising, and what once felt steady now feels uncertain. Many people are feeling unsettled by forces beyond their control, and conversations are becoming more polarised and personal. I […]
Workplace drama. It’s the gossip at the coffee machine, the eye rolls in meetings, the passive-aggressive comments, and the blow-ups over issues that rarely matter in the long run. It drains energy, erodes trust, and adds unnecessary stress, distracting everyone from what really counts - doing great work and enjoying being part of the team. In […]
When an employee falls short of performance expectations, leaders can’t afford to ignore it. To be clear, this isn’t about a team member dealing with personal challenges or struggling under an unmanageable workload. This is about an employee who isn’t meeting their responsibilities—whether due to a lack of effort, gaps in skill, or unclear expectations. Left unchecked, […]
If I asked you to name the most important thing your team needs from you, what would you say? Clear direction? Strong decision-making? Confidence? According to Gallup’s latest Global Leadership Report, the answer is hope. Yep, hope. More than anything else, people need to believe that the future will be better and that their leader will help them […]
Everywhere we look, division is being fuelled. The news. Social media. Even our workplaces and communities. Differences are weaponised, and dehumanisation is used as a tactic to pit people against each other. And with an election year ahead, it's only going to get worse. But don't despair. There is hope. In this volatile and often hostile […]
How good are you at switching off from work? How about the people you lead? Despite Right to Disconnect laws now in place for large businesses in Australia (and coming this year for smaller ones), many people still find it harder than ever to log off. For some (including me), it’s their own bad habits. For others, […]
