What 2020 taught me about authenticity
I have been reflecting a lot about what I learnt during 2020. In some ways it was a tough year, business was quiet for a while, I saw less people, and I was concerned (like many people) about the unknown.…
How to be a great leader: Advice for new managers
It finally happened. You have been an APS staff member for years, and you finally got the promotion you have been waiting for. You finally made it! OR maybe you weren’t expecting it. Your boss left, and you got asked…
Why you should start the year with a planning day
How do you start the working year? Do you just jump straight back in and pick up where you left off? Everyone in the team slowly ramps back up to the same pace, doing the same things as last year.…
Leadership communications in our new normal
As 2021 begins, people are starting to float back into the office. Most businesses are adopting a hybrid approach, with people working from home and in the office. Let’s be honest as the manager you still never really know where…
Farewell 2020
This time last year I wrote, “What does next year hold for Elm? I am not sure I can top this year, but you never know what is around the corner.” You never know what’s around the corner! Ha! Who…
CBR Comms Professional Series: wrap up
Throughout 2020, I have been profiling local Canberran communications professionals. Initially, I thought I’ll do it for a few months. I didn’t think anyone would agree to participate. Twelve months on, 22 local professionals have put themselves out there and…
Take time to reflect as a team
This week I ran a workshop for a team in the ACT Government. The team has had a hectic year and wanted to take time out to reflect on their shared experience and look at how they could continue to…
Canberra Communications Professional Series: Kate Bradstreet
Kate is a media and issues management specialist who runs her own consultancy, Kate Bradstreet Communications. Kate works between Canberra and Melbourne, always swearing she is trying to reduce her hours and slow down, but can’t help but be seduced…
Canberra Communications Professional Series: Paige Pettit
Paige is a Communications Manager at the Digital Transformation Agency. I have known Paige for almost eight years, and she is one of the most humble communicators I know. I have watched her grow from a quiet, junior communications officer…
Creating connection in a remote working world
When you work in government, sometimes you have to work with people online — offices interstate, regional stakeholders or the odd staff member who works remotely. Now, as we work in a new COVID world, most government buildings have reduced…