To what extent has wearing masks, social distancing and back-to-back video conferencing begun to limit our opportunity to lead symbolically, express our feelings and consequently our ability to have open and insightful conversations? Executive Coach, Humphrey Armstrong draws on Otto Scharmer’s U Theory and a recent interview with Shane Fitzsimmons, (former Commissioner of the NSW Rural Fire Service) to unpack how to lift conversations from defending the past to exploring possible futures.
Read moreConverting “could have”; “might have”; and “should have” into Reality.
It is possible that a break will prompt a re-evaluation of your work and life ambitions – especially after the stresses of the past year. If 2020 has taught us anything, it is that it’s not great to be at the mercy of events outside of our control. Deciding on our own path and what constitutes an ideal future for ourselves (and by extension our loved ones) is in our own gift. In his article, Executive Coach, Richard Spilg shares his strategy on how to tackle the task of figuring out what you really would like your future life to look like.
Read moreCommon Mistakes that Leaders make.
How many mistakes have you made as a leader? According to Executive Coach, Dave McDermott, the honest answer will always be “many”. Making mistakes is an essential part of the learning and development process, provided we learn from our mistakes. In his article, Dave provides insight into a few of the common mistakes that organisational leaders make, and how these mistakes can be avoided. He draws on the latest research in organisational leadership, as well as the experience of the many business owners and executives we have worked with over the years.
Read moreIt's Not about the Money!
As we approach the end of a very disruptive and surreal year, what an excellent time to lock yourself away and write a note of appreciation to each of your team members. In this very personal article, Executive Coach Peter Cheel, says one should never underestimate the impact of a handwritten note. He shares his own experience of how an investment of your time in such a simple, yet meaningful act will be returned in spades…. and all it takes is your time and thought!
Read moreHow do you manage other people's emotions?
Many of us are dealing with challenges that if we let them, can make us ‘cranky’. And what we focus on we tend to get. The ‘crankier’ we feel, the more likely we are to notice the negative things happening around us, which in turn makes us even more irritable. So what can we do to help manage the impact that our own, and other people’s emotions can have on us? Wellness Consultant, and Executive Coach - Dr Leanne Wall, shares five specific skills that have helped her to effectively and respectfully handle other people's difficult emotions. The good news is that with practice, you will create new neural pathways in your brain that will enable you to tap into these skills whenever you need to.
Read moreVirtual Team Leadership
Unwittingly what we are seeing develop is an industry around measuring productivity, a new attempt to control employees and substitute for the attendance quotient. In her informative article, Executive Coach, Tracey Gavegan suggests that rather than concentrate on these lag indicators why not focus energy and attention on optimising how people can operate more effectively as a team in this virtual world? This article outlines why focusing on the team unit and the leader’s ability to optimise virtual teaming can unlock amazing potential for competitive advantage.
Read moreHabits and Energy
What an interesting time to live, and what an interesting time to find out a little bit more about ourselves. With more opportunity, for many of us, to have a bit more autonomy in relation to how we will choose to live each day, we are finding some curious things out about ourselves, and the choices we make. In her article, Executive Coach, Jenny McKay shares her self-insights as a result of Covid-19, and how she plans to make some better choices. “Self care is the foundation to our health. Otherwise, we are building our house on a sand bar”. (John B. Arden)
Read moreWhy do Men feel so alone?
Research shows that loneliness is as detrimental to our health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day, and there is a correlation between loneliness and coronary heart disease, strokes and depression. Relationships Australia (2018), showed that men tend to report higher levels of loneliness than women and the stats are on the incline. Based on some of her own research, Dr Leanne Wall (Wellness Consultant and Executive Coach) shares her suggestions of what men can do to help avoid loneliness in the first place.
Read moreTime to Shift Habits
Zoom meetings, email and chat forums have been a fabulous way to stay connected and informed. However, Executive Coach, Sue Wilde consistently receives feedback that leaders are overwhelmed. We are asking them to cope, be flexible, pivot and be agile and as a result they are being driven to the day to day demands of their email and meetings at the expense of themselves. In her article, Sue shares some tactics for executives to experiment with, to see what works for them and navigate this complex, chaotic world on a weekly basis.
Read moreCan you "REALLY" pick the Difference between a Bicycle and a Frog?
Leadership Author, Alistair Mant, argues that “truly intelligent leaders” know very clearly the difference between bicycles and frogs, especially when leading organisational change. In the following article, Organisational Psychologist and Peoplemax Executive Coach, Humphrey Armstrong explores Mant’s metaphor in further detail, and helps to explain why the distinction between frogs and bicycles is important in leading and managing in a pandemic.
Read moreLeading Through a Sea of Emotions
As a leader have you been aware of the changing nature of your emotions over the past few months? How have your emotions impacted you, your family, friends and your team at work? And are you aware of the differing emotional states of your team members? In this article, Executive Coach, Peter Cheel shares a few powerful models to help us make sense of the changes.
Read moreThe Critical Importance of Emotional Intelligence in Generating Energy
It seems timely to consider how our emotional intelligence (EI) plays a part in how we are holding up, both in normal times, and the current state of play. Executive Coach, Jenny McKay explores how the various components of EI can support us, or sabotage us, and our levels of energy.
Read moreFit for Purpose Leadership
Kylie Denton, Leadership Coach and author, shares with us a Chapter from her recently published book - Fit for Purpose Leadership 6. Writing about how to stay resilient right now, Kylie provides insights on how best to manage and lead in the current climate. Enjoy.
Read moreThe Top 4 Mistakes in Building Team Resilience
Executive Coach and author, Kathryn McEwen, leads Working With Resilience, an international consortium advancing research and practice in resilience at work. With requests for building team resilience at work on the increase, Kath emphasises the importance around continuing to provide strategies that work. In her article, she shares some thoughts around the common traps we can fall into…
Read moreLeading Remote Teams
Although most organisations have completed the initial transition to working from home, many leaders are still trying to develop the ideal approach to support their team’s wellbeing and performance when WFH in these uncertain times. So, what does this mean during this next ‘new normal’ phase? Executive Coach, Bridget Blackford provides insight into what leaders can do to support their teams who are working remotely.
Read moreSome lessons learned from Poker will help you to make better decisions
In this article, Executive Coach Lee Williams draws on the work of World Champion Poker player Annie Duke. Lee shares his key learnings from her book “Thinking in Bets” where she explores the ingredients of good decision making. This may appear an unlikely source of wisdom for leaders, but Annie makes the case that Poker - a game that requires players to make a high volume of quick decisions that have immediate consequences is fertile ground for learning about how to make good decisions.
Read moreIntroverts in the Age of Remote Working
A current Global Workplace Analytics survey about work-from-home participation, predicts that up to 30% of people will work from home multiple days per week by the end of 2021. In effect, the pent-up demand by employees for greater work-life flexibility has coincided with the impact of Covid-19. In this article, Executive Coach Richard Spilg shares his view of the many implications that will arise as a result of this shift.
Read moreHow To Dress For Zoom
Personal Style Strategist Angela Barbagallo, wants both women and men to be confident in the way they look. Making a good impression in your virtual meetings is now more important than ever. In this article, Angela shares her practical tips to help senior executives and small business entrepreneurs who want to lift their business look to the next level.
Read moreThe Power of Little things When Struggling with Big Things
When living in a virus-driven ‘VUCA’ World where V = Volatile, U = Uncertain, C = Complex and A = Ambiguous, little things like washing hands can make the difference that makes the difference, in fact the difference between life and possible death! There are in fact many other little things which cost nothing but when we look back they’ve had a huge impact. Peoplemax Executive Coach, Humphrey Armstrong shares some ideas, and which could be most relevant in your circumstances?
Read moreA Time for Leaders to Shine
When you’re fighting fires on any number of fronts, it’s a great time to take a step back and figure out what really good leadership looks like. In the following article, Peoplemax Executive Coach, Richard Spilg, shares insights from his own executive experiences, combined with experiences of his coaching clients. Enjoy.
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