Two minute reads
Feel free to share them with your networks, citing the source. Complete the form to receive them, or just email me and I’ll add you to MailChimp
Help! My new boss has launched too many projects and I’m drowning in work
New managers, desperate to prove themselves, can feel under pressure to land quick wins. They launch multiple shiny new projects, without taking time to drill down into the real opportunities, not the on-the-surface ones. These projects may...
The Dunning-Kruger Effect: Why ignorant people think they know best
In 1995 a bank robber in Pittsburgh called McArthur Wheeler attempted to rob two banks. His only disguise was to smear lemon juice on his face, convinced that it would make him invisible to security cameras. His speedy arrest intrigued social psychologists...
A crushing culture of overwork
Teachers are popping pills to keep up with their excessive workload, a recent UK teachers’ conference was told. The 24/7 culture is driving teachers out of education. School leaders were called out as the biggest culprit, messaging teachers...
Why your people don’t speak up
Do you need people to share more ideas, challenge the status quo, point out opportunities and generally speak up more? This is a common challenge I’m encountering now: employees need to be coming up with suggestions but seem to have become...
When shouldn’t you follow your leader?
Would you obey an order that felt wrong? Why good people commit evil deeds. It feels wrong to write my usual article on career success or productivity at such a distressing time. Instead, let’s see what we can learn from a famous...
How to get high on work
I frequently give Crazy Busy masterclasses at corporate wellbeing events. Cash is spaffed on yoga, massages, kombucha, vegan buffets and of course mindfulness. These definitely make us feel a bit better. But their impact is wiped out if you spend the rest of the week...
Does your organisation have an ego problem?
Stop validating your Sally Show-Offs and start supporting your Steady Eddies I’ve observed a Crazy Busy character popping up in organisations. Sally Show-Off is motivated by promotion, praise, followers, likes, drama. She’s all about ‘look at me’...
If silverback gorillas can manage their emotions, so can we
Successful people control their emotions. There’s no excuse for bad behaviour. Emotional intelligence is the ability to tune into your own feelings and the feelings of others. Learning these soft skills is as important as learning the...
Do too many layers slow you down?
Many organisations over-collaborate in a well-meaning desire to be inclusive: to hear every voice around the table. It’s a noble cause but not every voice has something meaningful or different to add. At a time when businesses need to be at their most nimble, are...
Loss Aversion: our greatest fear
When the fear of losing outweighs the thrill of winning.
Post Holiday Blues: where do you go from here?
Post-Holiday blues are cruel payback for having a good time. Use the blues to figure out where you go from here.
Bullied into Busyness: are unreasonable demands a sign that you are being bullied?
Most of us tread a very fine line between coping with our workload and being over capacity. What happens when your manager isn't a source of support, but the cause of the problem? Do they make excessive demands on your time: such as calling you early in the morning,...