Five strategies for improving your working relationship with your boss.

Over the course of your working life, unless you are incredibly lucky, you will work with more than one boss you think is less than awesome. And unless you are incredibly unlucky, you will also be fortunate enough to work with one or two who are pretty amazing. 

Over the last few weeks, I have read a number of posts from people who are leaving companies, mostly through redundancy or retrenchment. Largely these posts have been upbeat and dignified, with a hint of excitement about what might be next for them. For many people facing job loss, this may not be the reality.

So, what DO you do when you find out that your role has been made redundant or you are being retrenched? How do you ensure that you keep your professional and personal brand intact? Here are some tips:

AI is not a future possibility, an interesting experiment, a phase. It’s here. So why now? The progression of AI has stalled over the years at various times where lack of knowledge, lack of investment, and failures have resulted in lower confidence. We have now reached a point where massive amounts of data, combined with billions of dollars of investment mean that AI is a force to be reckoned with.

It may interest and excite you, or it might scare you just a bit. You will know you are in the latter category if you find yourself doing the robot dance whenever the topic is raised. It happens.

A few months ago, I decided to do a stand-up comedy course. The idea was planted in my head by the inspirational Colin James. The idea was that some well-placed humor would enhance my public speaking skills.

I enrolled in a weekend course and turned up with a notebook and pen, ready to be informed and educated on how to be funny.

Turns out it doesn’t quite work like that and apparently a key part of the course was performing a live show! Did not see that coming. Clearly in the fine print. Missed it.

So, I did a Sandberg and leaned in. Here’s what I learned:

As a leader, your ability to quickly assess and understand a situation is pretty fundamental. As leadership often involves multi-tasking, it is also easy to be distracted by minutiae, or interesting information that may not turn out to be directly related to the topic at hand. Knowing what questions to ask is a great way to get the facts on the table.

Six strategies for learning to lead remote workforces in challenging times.

Over the last couple of weeks, I’ve read some fantastic articles about remote working. Excellent advice and insight about health and safety, routines, protocols, tips and tactics for keeping your workforce engaged. These will no doubt be invaluable for leaders in the coming weeks and months.

However, during a conversation I recently had with a valued colleague, she pointed out that many leaders have never managed a remote workforce before. Which got me thinking. Many leaders are adept at managing distance workers, or teams, but what about those who aren’t?

A friend asked me if I would have a coffee with a colleague of his who was thinking of changing jobs after 20 years with one employer. He was looking for some advice.

We introduced ourselves, sat down, and he began talking. Twenty minutes into a thirty minute meeting, he was still talking. I had not uttered a word. I gently interrupted him and asked permission to give him some feedback. He looked a little taken aback and said "Sure."

One of the greatest attributes a leader can demonstrate today, is the ability to remain calm. In every situation. At all times. This doesn't mean that you should not be passionate or vocal. It is about setting the standard for the behaviour you want to see in your team.

The shadow cast by a leader who is self-doubting, anxious, stressed, or unpredictable, is long. It can have a 'splatter' effect as team members, peers, and partners feel the impact, absorb it, magnify it, and pass it on.

To be calm on the outside, when on the inside you may feel like you are caught in the spin cycle of a washing machine, is easier said than done. It is possible though, and here are some tips that I have found to be really helpful.