2025: Tiny team, big year
At the end of every year, I write a blog about what we have achieved as a team. It has been something I have been doing since I was in the public service. It is a ritual that captures the…
The Prebunking Playbook for Communicators
Every communications professional knows the sinking feeling. You’ve spent weeks crafting clear, evidence-based messaging about a new policy or initiative, only to watch it get twisted into something unrecognisable on social media. By the time you’ve prepared a response, the…
Seven lessons in seven years
In 2018, I left the public service. I needed a change—a new challenge, a different rhythm, new scenery. “Start a small business,” they said. “It’ll be easy. You’ll have so much flexibility.” In seven years, running Elm has been anything…
From a spark to a fire: igniting an innovative culture in government
Every year, the APS census results come out, and every year, the same questions arise: Why are innovation metrics low? What can we do about it? Why is it so hard? As someone who has run countless workshops on this…
The collaboration conundrum. Why does it have to be so hard?
We facilitate workshops and planning days for large and small groups from the public and private sectors. We’ve done many of them over the last few years, and it’s one of my favourite parts of this job because I get…
- Australian Government, Communication, Communications professional, Culture, Leadership, Team performance
Clarity in purpose for communication teams
Commnication teams need a clear purpose to enable them to demonstrate the value they create for an organisation
Personality tests: More than just a bunch of letters.
I am an ENFJ I am a Gryffindor I am a Parrot I am an Aquarius I am a 6-enneagram type We love labels. From our Hogwarts house to our zodiac sign, we crave a way to categorize ourselves and…
Great team culture doesn’t require an office
NSW Government’s new directive that public servants should work ‘principally’ from the office is a short sighted and disappointing move, not backed by research. Furthermore, the Premier’s quotes betray his assumptions (biases!) that people who work from home are sitting…
The unspoken language: How internal communication shapes your culture
Whether it’s intentional or not, every organisation has a culture – a unique set of beliefs, values, and behaviours that shape how things get done. It is a critical contributor to capability and performance, and it’s the thing that will…
Breakfast with Jacinda Ardern: A masterclass in communication
Effective communication is the backbone of successful leadership. In a world filled with noise and distractions, the ability to connect, inspire, and lead is a rare and valuable skill. One leader who consistently demonstrated how exceptional communication skill really is…
