Ever worked for or alongside someone who made your and other work colleagues’ lives a nightmare? Ever worked for a boss or senior leadership that cared only for themselves and not you?

One of the most important relationships you can have in the workplace is that with your line manager and his or her equivalents and higher. It empowers individuals to influence decisions, gain support for initiatives, and advance their careers. By cultivating positive relationships with those higher up than ourselves, individuals can gain visibility, recognition, and create opportunities for growth.

As I write, the average life expectancy of an Australian is 81.3 years for a male & 85.4 years for a female. That means that assuming a retirement age of 67 and an average 40 hour working week, the average Aussie currently spends about 21% of their working lives at work – express this as a percentage of our waking hours (assuming 8 hrs sleep/night) then that jumps to 31%.

Stepping into a managerial role for the first time can be both exhilarating and daunting. As a new line manager, you're tasked with leading a team, making decisions, and driving results. However, amidst the excitement, there are several common pitfalls that many new managers encounter.

Retaining Gen Z employees requires a nuanced approach - not to do so will mean that tenure will be short and competitors who do address these changing needs will gain competitive advantage. Here then are five challenges facing Gen Z professionals and strategies for employers to retain and engage this valuable talent pool who will represent over one-third of employees by the turn of the current decade.

Impostor syndrome – it's that niggling voice in your head whispering, "You're not good enough," despite evidence to the contrary. Many of us have experienced this phenomenon at some point in our lives, feeling like a fraud in our own achievements and potentially holding ourselves back as a result. Fear not however, for conquering impostor syndrome is within reach.

During coaching meetings I've often referred to motivation as a three-legged stool - take one leg away and it doesn't function as an object. I've since revised my thinking to motivation being a four-legged chair which is an analogy that still works because whilst it's more stable without one of its legs than a two-legged stool, it's still not fit for purpose.

Fear is an ancient survival mechanism designed to make us hyper-aware of threats from our environment. That was very useful when we were hunter-gatherers having to navigate life surrounded by predators. These days, (unless you live in or visit the Northern Territory or Far North Queensland!) such physical threats are largely nullified.

When I think to the best teams I've worked in, the one word that has personified the dynamic in each has been trust. It's the invisible force that forms the fabric of successful relationships, teams, and organisations. Trust isn't just a desirable quality in forming strong interpersonal relationships - it's the bedrock upon which they are built.

The art of listening is a rare yet invaluable skill. Being a great listener creates presence, a crucial element for forging meaningful connections and ensuring successful interactions. Amidst the cacophony of daily life, honing attentive listening skills is a transformative practice that enhances relationships, professional success, and personal growth. Here are five compelling reasons to invest in refining your listening abilities.