Managing People

Positive Psychology & Values

In this theme you'll find as many articles on managing yourself as on managing others. A work or business team is often likened to a sports team and it's not hard to see why. Contributing on the playing field or on the water (for those of us who like rowing!) demands acute awareness of your own actions at the same time as keeping tabs on everyone else. When you can't see everything that's going on, and you haven't time to process events logically, you soon realise  you need other ways to gather vital information. You need to intuit, to feel.

Wherever there are people there are issues, let's face it, and this is the section where we handle them.We're sure you'll recognise certain characters like the bully boss, the team member who doesn't pull her weight ... even the smelly room-mate.

Many of the articles are pieces of advice for members who've written in. Some we have answered and for others we've turned to experts for their experience and input. If you have burning questions you need help with, contact us, and we'll try to help!

Latest articles

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  • 24 November 2011 By Sarah Wilshaw-Sparkes Comments: 0
    Unconscious Gender Bias - the Basics

    For professional women who aspire to build their careers towards positions of leadership, unconscious gender bias poses a persistent disadvantage that has only recently begun to be more widely acknowledged. Here Sarah explains the basics of this challenging phenomenon

  • 31 October 2011 By Galia BarHava-Monteith Comments: 3
    On Women's Health

    Galia shares her two biggest health-related lessons from her diagnosis with a very serious condition. Her hope is to help other women better manage their own health concerns.

  • 30 September 2011 By Jayne Muller of Altris Comments: 1
    The Phases of Motherhood - Two Perspectives

    "Women have been having babies for years, it's no big deal". Wrong, it is a big deal! Jayne Muller of Altris argues that pregnancy and baby should be treated by the new mum and her manager the same as a change project. From the perspectives of each party, she provides advice on the three phases of change to give the mother and her employer the best chance of a successful return to work.

  • 17 July 2011 By Jen Dalitz, Australia's thought leader on gender balance Comments: 1
    Unconscious Bias - 10 Signs to Watch For

    What is unconscious bias, really, and how can you know if it's happening in your workplace? Jen Dalitz explains why it's still a live issue for professional women's careers and lists 10 tell-tale signs that middle and senior managers are making decisions based on familiar, but outdated, assumptions and mental shortcuts

  • 16 July 2011 By Sally Mabelle, the 'Voice of Leadership' specialist Comments: 1
    How Being Assertive Can Save Your Life!

    Have you ever stopped to consider that your speaking up, particularly to your bosses, could mean the difference between success and failure? As highlighted in these examples, you should never underestimate the power of assertiveness. The price of diffidence can be appallingly high.

  • 15 June 2011 By Sarah Wilshaw-Sparkes Comments: 1
    The Good Girl's Guide to Better Meetings

    Never have your ideas stolen in meetings again! (Well, not so often). Tap into tips from our first ever Good Girl's Career Guide seminar.

  • 05 June 2011 By Dr Jane Freeman and Teresa Watson, MNZCCP Comments: 1
    Managing Difficult Employees

    Tearing your hair out over an employee or colleague who is behaving as if they are in the sandpit rather than the boardroom? Ever wondered why people behave badly at work? This advice from Psychs in the City could be just what you're looking for!

  • 06 May 2011 By Galia BarHava-Monteith Comments: 5
    Balancing the Yin and Yang

    As you advance in organisations you're pushed to become more masculine, yet in ‘socially acceptable ways. It's one of the constant pressures on you to adapt your behaviour in order to fit in better. But what is the price of losing sight of our more feminine side, and what are the rewards and benefits of celebrating it?

  • 21 April 2011 By Kathryn Jackson of Careerbalance Comments: 2
    Christchurch Earthquake - Coaching in Traumatic Circumstances

    In the wake of trauma what coaching techniques and insights from positive psychology can we draw on in our personal rebuilding? In her new eBook, "Essential Questions to GROW Your Team", Kathryn Jackson has collected conversations built around the GROW coaching model to help manager and leaders have even more effective conversations at work.

  • 24 February 2011 By Kathy McCombe, CEO Workchoice Trust Comments: 0
    What Career? Helping Teenagers Figure It Out

    Do you remember when you were in school making career decisions? This is the question the Workchoice Trust has been asking companies when inviting them to participate in Workchoice Day. That's the day 6000 Year 12 students get the chance to spend time at two organisations in an industry they're interested in.