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Reading the Slouch – Part 2
When I published ‘Reading the Slouch’ in April this year, I was overwhelmed by the responses I received from my readers. That article explored the subtle tactics in a controlling relationship and introduced Matt and Claire. So many emails saying “Thank you. I know...
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8 Essentials tips to stop you from killing your ex (figuratively speaking)
Julie is in my office again, frustrated with herself because she blew her cool with her ex, and found herself horrified at the words pouring out from her mouth! He’d said just one thing that triggered her, “I understand what you’re going through.” Of course, he didn’t!
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Essential Secrets to More Confidence!
Psst: Contrary to popular belief, confidence is not an emotion. I used to think that confidence was feeling cool and sort of, well, unemotional. But confidence is not so much how you feel but how you think about a problem or challenge. Confidence is the skill of...
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Small Package, Big Influence
This is a remarkable story about how to resolve workplace conflict with mindfulness and empathy. There are many bridges to cross in this challenging relationship: differences in language, culture, gender, education and values. As you read about Jade and Mike’s...
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5 Top Tips to Cure Office Conflicts
Workplace conflicts steal your energy and motivation at the office. Not to mention the additional stress you take home, the restless nights, lost sleep and negative impacts on your overall health and well-being. Business excellence requires recognising conflict risks...
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9 Tips To Help Your Child Adjust to Separation
When a family breaks up it is an anxious time for any parent. Your children are also going through difficult experiences, often without the language or emotional skills to explain what they need.
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Quickly Identify Controlling People – Try the Five Key Words Test
How do you recognise people who are likely to behave in ways that are conflict-driven, controlling, or manipulative, in ways that are likely to stop you from hiring them, dating them, or marrying them? As a couple and family therapist, and workplace conflict...
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Have I Got a Story for You!
Oh, I have I got a tale for you! Margaret’s story Margaret and I met a cocktail networking event, an awards night for small business. Margaret is bright, sociable and authentically charming. That awkward question “What do you do” led to a fascinating conversation. It...
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What is the Arc of Your Story?
Conflict makes our world turn, our heads spin, our hearts race and sometimes our hearts break. It is the arc of every story, song, movie and indeed, many of your thoughts. What you rehearse becomes your reality. You are the director, scriptwriter and star of all your...
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Customer Service Under Duress
If you want to create a culture that is conducive to dealing with difficult and demanding people, your frontline and legal professionals must be able to deal with stressful situations with the confidence that they can manage emotionally charged and challenging...
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Here’s to The Best Teacher I’ve Never Met!
It’s very embarrassing to admit this, but I have been caught out being difficult and demanding. This story reveals an uncomfortable time for me. It was a time that I didn’t always handle stress responsibly. However, sometimes small commonplace events can change your...
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Irrationally Yours
In the real world, we can all be a little difficult and demanding at times when worried, stressed, or feeling defensive. We can fall victim to our strong reactions, difficult emotions and the subsequent irrational thinking that leads us to be pushy, impatient, or...
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Impolite, Insolent and Improper – Don’t Ignore This!
Ignoring workplace incivility is a costly risk to your business Wikipedia describes workplace incivility as "… low-intensity [aberrant] behaviour with ambiguous intent to harm the target. Uncivil behaviours are characteristically rude and discourteous, displaying a...
read moreThe Tip of The Iceberg
One month ago Anthony was excited about his promotion to Head of Business Development, after five years of hard work as Senior Engineer in a management role. It was a big opportunity, significant pay rise and recognition for his hard work and commitment to the...
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The Tipping Point
I met Janni when she was at her lowest. She wanted to quit and run away from a job she loved, but that was set in an awful environment. Her health was impacted and she was miserable. Janni was 2IC in a large Early Childhood Centre. She felt that going to work each day...
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This is Todays’ No 1 Workplace Problem
Many narcissist managers are often under-performers who use distraction, obfuscation and drama to keep up the façade of their importance and hide their deficits.
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