Drinking concrete
As different as many countries are, similarities also abound reflecting common needs, perspectives and desires irrespective of language and cultural norms. When it comes to resilience different cultures often have different concepts of how it originates, how it is defined and what it incorporates. Almost without exception, however, there is a point at which every [...]
Morality and fairness in the workplace: Are they the same?
A few months ago I came across an interesting case in which an employee was fired for inappropriate use of the employers time. In essence the employee was found to be using work computers to browse the world wide web and look at pornography. Despite claiming, in his defense, he was browsing during his lunch [...]
Generation Y
Despite the fact that Generation Y has been in the workforce for the past decade or so I still get asked how to communicate with, manage and understand todays ‘youth’.
How do we all fail as managers?
Well, this commentary has been coming for some time. Although it’s nice to have some time away from fighting fires (of the team and individual type that is) the topic is not one that fills me with confidence.
Business lessons from the FIFA world cup
Whether you’re a genuine sports fan, reluctant follower because everyone else in the office is interested, or card carrying member of the ‘I hate sports’ club there are valuable lessons for all businesses from sporting endeavours.
Setting up for Success
So often I come across examples of conversations - be they meetings or presentations – that fail due to lack of a little bit of planning.
Hiring in a recession
Hiring new staff in a recession always creates concern for businesses.
Leadership 101
Just today I was having an interesting conversation about leadership in harsh economic times, and in particular the way some leaders react to bad news, circumstances they have never encountered before in the marketplace, and doom and gloom. Some leaders act, but most tend to react or wait. The latter two options are part of common human response [...]
Policing
Yesterday morning 3 police officers undertook a routine drugs search warrant in a suburban house in the provincial city of Napier in the Hawkes Bay area. Next thing all hell breaks loose and within minutes we have a fatally shot police officer, and another 2 police officers and a civilian (the offenders neighbour) severely wounded. [...]
Where does leadership come from?
This past weekend I’ve had the privilege of taking away some fantastic young adults to the New Zealand National Athletics Championships. As a sprints and hurdles coach I’m very aware that our responsibility is not just to help our athletes perform, but that they enjoy applying themselves to an endeavour that is at various times challenging and rewarding, [...]