Leadership

Cartoon illustration of noisy wheels with shouting mouths receiving oil from a faucet, while quiet gears and lightbulbs are neglected — symbolising unintentional organisational rewards and the need to reward competence not noise.

Stop Neglecting Your Best: Why Leaders Must Reward Competence, Not Noise

Leave a Comment / Culture, Decision-making, Leadership, Performance /

Reward competence, not noise. Too often, organisations do the exact opposite. Leaders spend far too much of their time “greasing squeaky wheels” — underperformers and chronic complainers — while reliable, high-value contributors receive little recognition. This unintentional organisational reward system leads to burnout, disengagement, and turnover. Research shows top contributors are 4–8 times more productive […]

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Illustration of dysfunctional group work showing frustrated team members in conflict, symbolising leadership challenges and team dysfunction

How to Survive Dysfunctional Group Work (and Become a Better Leader)

Leave a Comment / Career, Communication, Higher Education, Leadership, MBA /

Everyone says they hate dysfunctional group work. But what if the thing we resist most is what we most need to grow? Introduction: The Unspoken Curriculum of Group Work Group work has become the most hated pedagogical tool of higher education. Whether it’s an undergrad marketing course or an elite MBA program, mention “group assignment”

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A colourful illustration depicting a vibrant red poppy standing tall and bright among shorter, smaller poppies. A pair of scissors is shown nearby, symbolising the act of 'cutting down' tall poppies. The background should convey an office or workplace atmosphere subtly, reinforcing the metaphor of tall poppy syndrome

Beating Tall Poppy Syndrome and Celebrating Success

Leave a Comment / Culture, Leadership, Society /

In many Australian workplaces, success can be complex due to our cultural relationship with achievement. The uniquely Australian phenomenon of tall poppy syndrome, where individuals who stand out through their accomplishments can face subtle criticism or outright hostility, has become a recognised issue in organisational psychology and management (Feather 1989). However, what if our organisations

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Image of a balanced scale with a leaf icon on one side and a money icon on the other, set against the backdrop of a corporate boardroom.

ESG Business Challenges: Is Sustainability Always Good for Companies?

Leave a Comment / Leadership, Society, Strategy /

Introduction Sustainability and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) programs have been widely embraced as essential for modern businesses. Advocates argue that ESG initiatives drive financial performance, foster innovation, and mitigate risk. However, despite these claims, many companies struggle with ESG business challenges, ranging from regulatory burdens to accusations of greenwashing. If ESG is truly a

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Drawing of a cross-cultural team collaborating in a high-tech office

Effective Cross-Cultural Communication: From Cultural Awareness to Business and Workplace Success

Leave a Comment / Career, Communication, Leadership /

Introduction In today’s interconnected workplace, the ability to communicate effectively across cultures has become indispensable for business success, particularly for leaders. Recent research reveals that 89% of white-collar professionals now regularly participate in global virtual teams, making intercultural communication skills more critical than ever (Taras et al., 2021). This trend is reflected globally – Australian

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Image of a new manager choosing their management path

Why Most New Managers Fail – And How to Be Among Those Who Succeed

Leave a Comment / Career, Communication, Leadership /

Introduction The transition to management represents one of the most challenging career moves professionals face today. Understanding why new managers fail is crucial, especially considering that, according to CEB Global research reported by Arruda in 2023, 60% of new managers fail within their first 24 months. When transitioning leaders struggle, their direct reports perform 15%

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Leadership Qualities, Modern Management Traits

Top 5 leadership qualities for modern managers

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As a seasoned leader with experience spanning retail management, IT, and higher education, I’ve had the privilege of observing and cultivating leadership across diverse sectors. Today, I want to share insights on the top five leadership qualities that I believe are crucial for modern managers. These qualities aren’t just theoretical concepts—they’re practical skills I’ve honed

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Leadership Introduction, Key Leadership Strategies

An introduction to leadership

Leave a Comment / Higher Education, Leadership /

Introduction Leaders are entrusted with the vital responsibility in organisations. In my context of higher education, they are involved in shaping the minds and futures of students. Effective leadership is essential not only for the success of organisations, but also for nurturing the next generation of leaders who will tackle society’s greatest challenges (Shapiro, 2015).

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Drawing illustrating Holistic Leadership Growth Strategies

Navigating Leadership: A Holistic Approach to Growth

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Leadership today is a complex and dynamic endeavor, requiring a multifaceted approach to meet evolving challenges. It demands a focus on self-awareness, empathy, and continuous learning to cultivate authentic and effective leaders. This comprehensive guide explores these pillars of holistic leadership growth and how they contribute to sustainable success. While leadership may appear daunting, the

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