Here we are, at the end of January. We are all heading back to work after our “break”, but not everyone feels ready for 2022. Not everyone has that bounce in their step. Maybe you do, but I, for one,…
Managing the challenges of staff working from home
A few weeks ago, I shared the results of a survey I ran across my network, understanding current perceptions into working from home, the issues and the opportunities and what you need to be successful. If you missed it, you…
Get your values off the wall and into the team
How would you describe your team culture? When a recruiter asks what “Type” of person you’re looking for can you articulate it? What joins your team together? Team values may be spoken or unspoken, but they are a common way…
Creating shared accountability in your team
A lot has been written about building a great team: Trust, communication, relationships, and shared goals. Less is said about accountability. While trust may be the bedrock of any good team, being able and willing to hold each other accountable…
Update: Supporting your team’s mental health
I first published this article in July 2020. At the time, Victoria had just started its long lockdown. We were getting used to a hybrid workforce. It was still all new, we were still figuring out how to work in…
Why you need to make friends at work (even when you’re the boss)
Early in my career, I made some great friends at work. People who I still speak to regularly after 20 years. People with who I have shared big moments with marriage, babies, breakups, deaths. Then when I became a manager,…
Why you need to work somewhere that matters
If we learnt anything from the last year, it’s that connections can be made regardless of our geographical location. The people we work with and what we do together matters. When you can’t travel, can’t leave the house, when all…
Keeping up team morale
It’s a month into 2021 and let’s be honest the world is not looking that much better. We just passed 100 million cases of COVID worldwide. The UK and Europe are in the strictest lockdown they have had, and Melbourne…
A 2021 challenge: personal development
I didn’t realise how important it was to do personal development until I had to pay for it myself. When working in government I took it for granted (I see that now) that I could do a course or attend…
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…