20th October 2009
Copyright (c) 2009 Shona Garner
Emotional Intelligence skill number 2: Self control.
There is a well-known proverb: act in haste, repent at leisure.
We all do it sometimes: when we are under pressure we can often feel frustrated, upset, annoyed o...
30th September 2009
Copyright (c) 2009 Shona Garner
OK, so I have a vested interest. Yes, I am a trainer and coach - and yes, I increasingly find myself helping managers hone their people skills. But when I started out in coaching and training I hadn't particularly decide...
22nd September 2009
Copyright (c) 2009 Shona Garner
When you become a manager, is it your IQ, your technical skills and your knowledge of the industry you�re in which is paramount � or your ability to influence, inspire and engage others? Or do they both matter equall...
04th September 2009
Copyright (c) 2009 Shona Garner
OK, so I have a vested interest. Yes, I am a trainer and coach - and yes, I increasingly find myself helping managers hone their people skills. But when I started out in coaching and training I hadn't particularly decide...
31st July 2009
Copyright (c) 2009 Shona Garner
Part 1 - The human face of change
What changes are you going through in your organisation at the moment? Re-structuring? Shedding staff? Asking staff to work reduced hours? Changing processes? Changing environments an...
05th June 2009
Copyright (c) 2009 Shona Garner
How managers can reduce gossip, politics, blame and moaning in their team.
Do you ever think if your staff put even half the same energy into more productive and focused discussion and behaviour you'd be getting a dar...
05th May 2009
Copyright (c) 2009 Shona Garner
You've heard the expression, "square peg, round hole". We have all, I'm sure experienced a situation where someone in a team simply does not seem to "fit in".
From your perspective as a manager, at best, this can cau...
05th May 2009
Copyright (c) 2009 Shona Garner
Two of the most common challenges a manager has are:
1. How do I motivate my staff to want to do more?
2. How do I prevent in-fighting and tension, so I've got more time to focus on getting the job done?
I find m...
05th May 2009
Copyright (c) 2009 Shona Garner
So, you made it to the exalted rank of manager?
Congratulations!
Your skills, knowledge, experience and talent have likely played a large part in helping you carve out your path up the promotion ladder, and you may...
02nd March 2009
Copyright (c) 2009 Shona Garner
As a manager you need to get good at motivating others - but never more so than when your staff might be worrying about their jobs, about restructuring or other major changes to their work.
The present business climat...
16th February 2009
Copyright (c) 2009 Shona Garner
I hear managers raise this issue time and time again; what begins as an underlying tension between two or more of your team members, with covert "sniper" tactics, strained atmospheres, gossip mongering and occasional sni...
04th December 2008
Copyright (c) 2008 Shona Garner
If you've ever worked for someone who made your life a misery; who didn't understand you; who seemed to give no recognition of the work you put in, or who undermined you or bullied or intimidated you, I should imagine yo...
01st December 2008
Copyright (c) 2008 Shona Garner
Two critical skills which the highest performing managers have in spades are the ability to influence and persuade. The most obvious targets for your powers of persuasion are your team, and sometimes your peers in diffe...
30th October 2008
Copyright (c) 2008 Shona Garner
(A controversial perspective on a key business activity for managers)
'Tis the season for annual reviews! As end of year looms ever closer, and planning how to ensure hitting targets becomes a top priority, most manag...
06th October 2008
Copyright (c) 2008 Shona Garner
We are in a "credit crunch". Times are hard. It isn't the first time; and it won't be the last. People tighten their belts and do their best to weather the storm, and businesses focus an even more critical eye on their s...
