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They say people leave the workplace culture , not the job itself. Creating an environment where there is accountability but not blame is easier said than done during times of uncertainty, disruption and ambiguity.  A Blame Culture is where people pass the responsibility to others for general mistakes, or lack taking accountability for their part in an outcome. Passing the buck, blaming other teams, gossiping about another part of the organisation, shirking responsibility - these behaviours create toxic relationships and destroy trust and willingness to put the extra effort in.
 
With many industries facing recruitment challenges, now is not the time to let a workplace culture become so negative, all people want to do is leave. We share insights and practical language tips that shift the aim from winning against a colleague to leading the situation towards progress.

A study reported in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology showed that being around people who blame others encouraged the subjects to blame others in turn. “The ‘germ’ that spreads is the goal of protecting one’s self-image.  When people observe others protecting their egos, it spreads.” (Nathaniel Fast)

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The simplest way to define proactive is doing the same things you do to be reactive - just ahead of the time it is needed. Taking a moment to Prepare, Leverage, Act and think Next is a good way to start feeling ahead of the game. An eternal quality, but now more than ever being able to keep proactive is essential if you are feeling bogged down by lots of tasks. We experiment using the Pomodoro Method as a way to stay focused and manage time within our conversation- so you can hear it in action. We suggest some clear calls to action for anyone wanting to shift from reactive to proactive- or support others. 

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In this final part of our 4-part focus on resilience we share thoughts and ideas to maintain our energy levels as the waves of change and disruption continue. As the world changes, being our own CEO (Chief Energy Officer) enables us to keep flexible and adaptable.  Finding the lighter side of things, prioritising fun and play back into the working day, and making a commitment to practice self-care can make the biggest difference to how we keep safe and secure during challenge.  We share examples and ideas from different workplaces to inspire us to focus on the opportunities ahead.

We reference this gem of a book The Obstacle Is The Way 

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To be an effective team that can keep focused during the ups and downs is to be a resilient one. Looking out for each other, supporting each other and challenging and motivating members to be their personal best is not just the job of the leader - although leaders will have the biggest influence over the tone and culture of a team. Resilience is the capacity to adapt in the face of adversity or challenge and is a team effort. Nature gives us many examples of the benefits of being part of a team  - we are stronger and safer when we are part of a team that has a shared mission, values and is communicating well. We share practical ideas for building team resilience, getting the best out of each other and what this means for leaders or those looking to lead a team at some point in the future. 

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Resilience is the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, challenges or setbacks. Always useful, these days essential.  In the 20th century the worlds body of knowledge used to double every 25 years. Now, it doubles every 11 hoursm (IBM). Within a week, what you thought was 'fact' could change overnight;  the course you studied may become out of date within months. Feelings of overwhelm from trying to keep up with the pace of change are common - the resilience to succeed and to be able to look after ourselves and others may now require more intention than in the slower days. Resilience is the 'capacity to We share practical tips for investing up your '4 pillars' (American Psychological Association) to develop your resilience. Investing in your resilience now will make all the difference to how you thrive in the year ahead. 

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The pandemic has disrupted education and career pathways for a generation of teens   -  who are now  entering the workplace looking to make their mark and build their lives.  20% more than usual have decided to delay their entry to work by seeking further education* such is the uncertainty around options . Its not easy being a young person starting out on a career path;  more than ever they need positive adult role models at work. People can only be what they see and remote working has impacted the natural level of behaviour influence and skills transfer. Making the effort to empower the younger generation to convey their ideas, insights with gravitas so people listen is what will drive innovation and change. We share ideas on reverse mentoring, encouraging contribution and maximising the potential from the next generation starting work in this transformational decade. 

For those who like a bit of science: Neuroscience shows there are clear differences in our brains as we develop in life. Rather than age being a barrier its an enabler to performance:  on a purely cognitive level, a 19 year old brain will process data differently from a 59 year old brain.  (Evidenced by changes in car insurance prices...) The lightening quick processing speed from a younger brain is an asset for any industry looking to disrupt and innovate . The wiser, holistic perspective from an older brain is vital to prioritise how to create and evolve. 

Never too old to learn, never too young to lead (Dr Kofi Annan)

 *(People Management  magazine Aug 2021)

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If everyone can purchase the same tech, products and services then it really is ourselves that make the ultimate success story. "You are the secret to your success" is the end quote from our guest Shona Rowan's new book The  Psychology of Successful Women: The Ultimate Guide. She shares her recommendations from her research and her background of competing in global ballroom dancing competitions in Australia. It makes for fascinating insights into unlocking the secrets of confidence, success and high performance  - no matter who we are or where we have come from. 

Shona helps organisations, teams and career-minded individuals to maximise their performance and accelerate success.  Her website is a treasure trove of tips and ideas https://www.shonarowan.com/ or connect with her @ShonaRowan via LinkedIn or buy her book by clicking here 

Shona's call to action: What 3 things do you for yourself that boosts your confidence?
Send us your ideas to [email protected] we always read and respond :-)

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When external life is unpredictable it can impact our inner sense of confidence and create wobbly feelings than in more stable times. We share practical tips for overcoming nerves and other barriers to confidence including the ‘cameras out’ technique and various planning and prep tools that transform our confidence levels in a moment that counts. Whether it’s taking to the stage, asking a question, speaking up in a meeting or just having the confidence to say yes or no- every human gets nervous so you are not alone, it’s about mindset and preparation. 

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Collaboration is the action of working with others to produce something or to explore solutions and possibilities. In these changeable times where many industries are facing new and different challenges, collaboration is one of those premium skills that is not only useful now but will be vital for thriving in the years ahead. We share ideas for boosting our confidence levels to collaborate (why wouldn't you?) and looking for opportunities to collaborate in order to speed up, generate ideas or achieve smarter ways of working. Creating a culture of collaboration is essential for high performance teamship and therefore a valued attribute for leaders to focus on. Be inspired by our real-life examples and anecdotes of the benefits of collaboration across all industries. 

(Check out Lau's 2016 TEDx talk where she focuses on collaboration as one of the 4Cs that are beyond an algorithm...its her 2030 take on thriving at work alongside automation/AI https://youtu.be/i1dz-kJTwwM) 

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Starting with a moment to enjoy the sounds of springtime birdsong, this is a great time to refresh our energy and confidence. Confidence is that inner sense of knowing that you are enough, having a sense of certainty that no matter what gets thrown at you, you are able to handle yourself and deal with it in the best way possible. From owning your space in interviews and presentations, to a solid sense of self during challenge, we share our SPRING formula tips for lifting or maintaining confidence levels. 5 practical steps to tap into your confidence - from power poses to positive mind-talk, inner belief and self-confidence helps to transform setback into opportunity.