We all start new endeavours full of enthusiasm, energy and positive attitude. Confident that we have the skills, the knowledge and the ability to make it happen. At the start, there is little to hold us back. With time, these feelings lessen. Problems arise, people challenge us and the going starts to get tough. Before we realise it, we are carrying a huge weight that is dragging down our performance, motivation and progress. Everyone faces these challenges and breaking free of this ball and chain requires awareness, courage and usually, a little help from a friend. With practice it gets easier each time too! To build awareness and prepare my clients for fast progress, I use a list of twelve factors that in my experience Read More

Several clients have recently been talking to me about preparing for their annual review. It seems to be getting earlier every year, and is as sensitive as ever. The annual clash of expectations, perceptions and rewards, or lack of them. And, the time the politics come to the fore, for good, or for ill. The common approach is to prepare your own summary of achievements, and progress. What the challenges and problems have been, and also, suggestions on what next. Oft times one wonders what the boss’ role in this is, apart from meting out the judgment, on behalf of the omnipotent HRD policy on such matters. Ah, the good old game of My Hands are Tied! Anyway, enough of that negative frame, let’s use this as an opportunity, a personal one, to Read More

Shareholders of many bastions of industrial and commercial stability are waking from their afternoon nap. It was only a short one, after lunch with a glass or two but, as they rub the sleep from their eyes, the world has changed. Not Armageddon, nor the aftermath of a nuclear holocaust, but they can hear the sirens wailing in the distance. It seems like only yesterday they were watching the big technology firms in turmoil. Firms such as RIM, Nokia and the like, almost wiped out within a year. “Uber? What is uber? Isn’t that German for over, or finished or something like that?” They could be forgiven for wandering off to a long lunch at the club with a wry smile, and a smug swagger. Complacency is only discovered with hindsight. Read More

Many people have told me that the biggest challenge they face is that they are not able to get the attention of the senior people in their organisation. In fact, my articles on gaining visibility and building reputation are among the most popular of the 500+ that I have written over the last few years. The frustration is palpable. One recent example was Alan, a VP in risk management:

“I’m arguably one of the best qualified people on my topic in the business, and maybe externally too. I’ve been interviewed by the media, am prominent in my institute and have even published articles. But, will my executive listen to me? Not a chance. There is a major problem emerging and none of the senior team are in the least bit interested. Sure, they make the right noises, but do they do anything? Well, it is starting to present a risk to my career now. If this thing blows…”

When I worked it through with Alan, it was clear that the executives should be taking notice, recognising what he can contribute and certainly, taking concrete action. Right now, we are taking steps to ensure that Alan, and his organisation, avoid a calamitous and very public reputational nose-dive. Gaining the appropriate level of recognition can do a lot more than avoid catastrophes. Over the last year alone, many that I have worked with have reported back that the increased recognition has given them benefits such as: Read More

Workplace politics make people angry, or at least frustrated. Politics gets in the way of the work, creating delays, disagreements and bad feeling. It is very difficult to pin down exactly what workplace politics is, partly because it means different things to different people. We made a valiant attempt at codifying the mayhem back in 2005 with 21 Dirty Tricks at Work. Since then, I’ve concluded that the majority view regards office politics as any act in pursuit of personal gain, especially where manipulation or dishonesty is involved. To most people I speak with, it evokes the feeling that it is either a necessary evil, or a complete waste of their time. All the game playing, positioning and subterfuge simply gets in the way of doing a good job. What do you think? Necessary evil, or waste of time? Read More

This unique five-day course is now available for those who want to begin to get moving with becoming more influential. It will help you to learn from the most successful influencers, and take practical action to improve the results that you get.

 

 

 

The Power Vacuum: Your boss has moved on and a successor has yet to be appointed. Suddenly nobody is quite sure what to do

Good leadership provides direction and purpose for our team. Great leaders direct our efforts to where they will have the greatest impact. They help us to work together by making the tough calls and keeping us on track.  An effective leader is a stabilising and motivating influence on us. They enable us to perform and help us enhance our career. But, what happens when they leave unexpectedly? What was once taken Read More