In the past year I have done quite a few training sessions on performance management.
The sessions confirmed my suspicion that the Australian working culture is abysmal at performance feedback. Contrary to the popular stereotype of blunt, frank and open communication, in our workplaces we are, in the main, unassertive, indirect, ironic, passive and excessively accommodating. With some rare exceptions – the people who do the tough conversations for the rest of us.
We are also reluctant to praise, and do it badly. “You are great” doesn’t work. “Thanks for staying on last night to get that report in, I was really stressed about it”, is more valuable. It is specific, accurate, and
embedded in real workplace demands. Read More
Walk, run, dance, stand on your head, hang a picture; go to a museum, skating rink, climbing wall or a swimming pool. Why? Physical movement literally increases the amount of oxygen to your brain. As often as we ignore this fact, our mind and body are directly, physically and energetically connected. Sensory stimulation, input from the external environment can unlock stale thinking and the prison of logic and make you more alive to the world.Finding the metaphor in the movement can be salutary. Not to be too heady about it, but let the metaphor emerge, watch out for it, notice it: ask the question, “how is this like … my work, my attitude to life.”