My five favourite professional development resources from 2024
As the year draws to a close, my Instagram feed is flooded with “Top 10 Favourites for 2024” posts. While it’s a little unsettling how fast time has flown, it also reminds me to reflect on my highlights from the…
Motivated reasoning and elections – how clever communications can help
Heads up: Political nerd post coming in hot! Years ago when I was thinking about what to focus my psych honours thesis on, I was reading a book called The Political Brain, by Drew Westen. (Strong recommend btw if you…
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…
The #1 way to make your communications team more efficient
In communications, we never have enough resources, time, or capacity to deliver everything that is asked of us or to meet our own expectations. It means we need to be efficient in how we operate. To be efficient, we need.…
- Australian Government, Behavioural science, Blog post, Communications professional, Leadership, Team performance
2024 is the year of changing the world – one meeting at a time.
Many departments have values of ‘inclusion’ and ‘collaboration’ and ‘innovation’. And to make this happen they have meetings. And lots of them. Everyone is invited, and we all meet. And talk. And then get up, move to another room, meet…
- Australian Government, Canberra, Communications professional, Facilitation, Leadership, Team performance
Why being nice doesn’t equal great culture
I was talking to a friend last week about who is finding work particularly challenging at the moment. Everyone she works with is lovely, nice, and great to spend the day with. But the work keeps piling up, and some…
What do I bring to the Elm Communications Party?
If you know Mel, you’ll know that she’s an excellent host. She throws unforgettable gatherings, complete with mouthwatering snacks, refreshing drinks, outdoor games, and a laid-back atmosphere. She’s one of THOSE people while I struggle to assemble a plate of…
What you need to know as a public servant about the “PWC effect” on small businesses
Like everyone else, I have been watching as more and more stories have come out in recent months about the behaviour of the “Big Four” consultancies. What initially began with the PWC exposé has evolved into a broader public discussion…
Creating respect for our profession
How can communications professionals claim their “seat at the table” and demonstrate their value to an organisation.
