There's nothing better than a good start, or more specifically, there's nothing worse than a bad start.

Everyone wants autonomy in their job, managers want confidence in their reports, but we rarely openly discuss this. So how are these agreements reached?

Managers can jump in- fix, solve, answer, take over. But when?

Find Jason at https://www.jasonbiggs.nz/

Find Damian at https://www.pragmatichrm.nz/

Listening is such an important skill, we need to do more on this.

I look at the cognitive bias that makes us instinctively see a bigger number as better, even when it's real value hasn't improved. For HR professionals, understanding this can help explain why the same pay increase can be received very differently depending on inflation and the cost of living.

This is a water-cooler chat with my guest, Jason Biggs. This week, we talk about whether, when, and when not, managers should try to be liked.

A good way to understand what managers are juggling (and what they do to cope)

Let's rethink the mode we defaulted into.

Why do fish need letters? Because they are in a new pond. The rules for the old pond don't work here, so we spell it out to them. And now they know.

Why do different people work together? Why Kevin Hart and the Rock? Mark Wahlberg and Will Farrell? Laurel and Hardie? Jackic Chan and Chris Tucker/Owen Wilson? Magic comes from contrast- so let's over-analyse why.