Category: Office Work

  • Order v Chaos

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    It’s not unusual for the leader of a team to feel that their main purpose is to effectively manage the flow of work. The flow is determined by business rules and system solutions. The manufacturing principles of mass production – automation and assembly lines – have reinforced this. Now and…

  • Leaders Just Want to Have Fun

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    I’ve noticed that almost every time a new boss arrives, they introduce themselves with the statement that the most important thing is having a good time. I think, great!. That suits me. I appreciate the importance of work being fun (but focussed) and feel relieved when a boss calls this…

  • Living in Perth

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    Double brick, small rooms, wood oven and stove, plus a cooler sleepout room flywired for the hot Perth summer nights.. this was my first and only home in Perth where I was born and grew – aged 0 -17 years old. From here, I went to two Primary schools and…

  • Mnemonics

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    I’m not sure that mnemonic is the right word, but I think it is if its definition includes ‘memorable phrases’. I’ve always liked sloganising a team mantra or guideline or MO. We have one team who does a lot of manual support work for their customers, and it’s now widely…

  • An Hour of Reconfiguration

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    I had a pleasant surprise the other day when my 12-month subscription for Headspace fell due. A bit of NY resolution back in the beginning of 2021, but it has been one that I’ve included in my daily system. So it was good news to know that I had been…

  • Happiness at Work

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    Of course, there is such a thing as being happy at work. The usual. The job’s fulfilling, and the colleagues are non-invasive. Challenges can be met but are rewarding. The Company is something to be proud of. The product or service that you work with is of interest. (I could…

  • Find a Nemesis

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    In any job, we usually have a leader. If we are interested in extending our career, some go further and seek a coach or mentor. They all have a role in bettering us, and dependent on their skills, they contribute to our career progression. I challenge myself to find something…

  • Adding Value

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    I’m a knowledge worker. Straddling both a day job and some entrepreneurial side gigs, I hold contrasting attitudes to work. During the day, those around me appreciate the time I put into the tasks at hand. They acknowledge my consistency and preparedness to turn up every day and provide an…

  • Productivity v Getting the Right Outcome

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    🧑‍💼 There is a risk in the Knowledge Worker’s operational world to over-focus on efficiency and productivity to get the job done. 🧑‍💼 Knowledge Workers are efficient, and they want the job resolved. 🧍 The skilled Knowledge Worker is hopefully not so ruthless in engaging with their customer to make…

  • We’ve All Made Mistakes at Some Stage

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    👋 👋 Often when a team member leaves the business to take up other opportunities, I must admit I can sometimes be a tiny bit relieved only because I’ve probably had some embarrassing engagement with them along the way. And their presence continued to haunt me. 👿 👿 Typically some…

  • Ring a Different Person Each Day

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    I take it on myself to schedule contact with someone different each day. I don’t mean cold calling. I ring someone in my outer circle of contacts once a day and make connections for a couple of minutes. It’s on my To-Do list – as a priority. I used to…