When Gratitude Turns Into Obligation
Recently appointed C-suite leader with a non-visible disability: “I know I should be grateful for this promotion. I can’t let on that I’m struggling with the transition.” Mid-career leader with a spinal lesion: “I can’t ask for adjustments. I’m just grateful to have been given this opportunity. I can’t afford to be seen as ungrateful.” […]
CEO Sabbatical
What if the best thing your CEO could do… is step away for three months? We talk a lot about burnout in the social sector, and rightly so, it’s a real thing. Encouragingly, I’m hearing more leaders embrace the idea of “white space” – intentionally blocking out diary time for reflection, blue sky thinking, planning […]
Leadership Tension in the Care Sector
Is it becoming harder to attract and retain Executives and Non-Executive Board Directors in the care sector? As we (rightly) strengthen regulatory and governance frameworks to ensure safety and quality of care, we also need leaders who are agile, adaptable, forward-thinking and deeply committed to helping people not just stay safe, but truly thrive. In […]
Breaking Up With Toxicity
Earlier this week, I was fortunate to spend some time working on our beautiful Fleurieu Peninsula. Wading barefoot in the surf, pants rolled up, is one of my all-time favourite things to do. On this particular day, I was struck by the clear and pristine beauty of Middleton Beach, while just across the peninsula, much […]
Navigating the Fine Line Between Psychosocial Risk and Reasonable Management Action
Now that Managers are starting to really think about how to prevent psychosocial injury and harm, I’m noticing a lot of my coaching conversations are focused on supporting the manager to tread the fine line between behaviours that might be classified as ‘reasonable management action’ and those that are genuinely unsafe. An effective leader Understands […]
Safe Change – Reducing the Risk of Psychosocial Harm Associated with Organisational Change
Following my last blog: The Crucial Role of Managers in Addressing Psychosocial Risk – And How Coaching Can Help, I’ve had lots of questions about psychosocial risk and managing change, so thought I’d share some of my thoughts here. Change projects are essentially about people. A successful change depends on getting people on board. But […]
Emotion – No Longer the Poor Cousin
As human beings, we’re hard wired to experience emotions, and whether we realise it or not, our emotions strongly influence our thoughts, decisions and behaviour. Emotion is simply energy running through the body, and how we express an emotion is a release of that energy. It’s helpful to steer away from labelling emotions as positive […]
Getting Unstuck
Do you remember playing with magnets as a kid, and how cool it was when you found something that stuck? It felt like magic! And did you ever try to put two magnets together the wrong way around, with the like poles together, and see how they repel? Making changes in my life often reminds […]
Coaching in a Crisis – There’s No Time Like Now
In talking with my colleagues, clients and friends, I’m struck by the incredible opportunity we have right now for growth. In spite of, or almost because of, the global challenge we’re faced with, we have an opportunity to step up to really being the Personal Best version of ourselves, for each other, and for the […]
Let’s Get Engaged!
As an employee, it’s pretty easy to feel your engagement levels going up and down. When you’re engaged, you’re purposeful, productive, and passionate, driven by an inner sense of meaning and self-sustaining energy. You know your engagement is waning when you start to question, judge, make excuses, lose interest, care less. At its worst, low […]