I’m a firm believer in the thought that a single conversation can change your life. I keep this in mind when I am coaching others, and I do my best to align myself with mentors in my career with whom I find I have impactful conversations more regularly. Sadly, when most of us are allocated a team leader/coach in our organisations, we end up disappointed. We hope for someone … [Read more...] about Mentors that Matter: Finding the Right Mentor at Work
How to Not Suck as a Leader
4 ways for new managers to overcome imposter syndrome and win team support It could be that the term “imposter syndrome” was designed for the points in time when we first become leaders. I can’t keep a pot plant alive but, hey, the world deemed it okay for me to manage teams of high achievers. I can’t always be sure of what day of the week it is but we’re all okay … [Read more...] about How to Not Suck as a Leader
Preparing for Busy Season: “Nobody’s Going to Die” and 5 Other Tips
Sleep deprivation, zero social life, eating all the junk food, constantly questioning your career choices; if you’re a young professional working in professional services, you know the busy season struggle. The good news is there are a few things you can do to dominate your busy season and still find time for yourself. Each year, I train young professionals who are making … [Read more...] about Preparing for Busy Season: “Nobody’s Going to Die” and 5 Other Tips
The Fresh-Off-the-Boat Approach to Networking
What I’ve learned about networking and making friends from starting fresh and not knowing anybody on 3 different continents ‘Networking’ has become one of those gag words. There’s a dirty stigma associated with the concept: a stigma that implies networking is only for MLM ghouls or people who have nothing to give and everything to ask. Sometimes, however, networking is … [Read more...] about The Fresh-Off-the-Boat Approach to Networking
You Know What Your Boss Thinks, but Does Your Team Hate You?
Three things in life are certain: DeathTaxes, andThe fact that working if you've worked in a large organisation you're used to getting a ton of downward feedback from your managers and bosses. Many of us are accustomed to receiving downward feedback, despite the racing pulse and sweaty palms we might get every time. But do we know what our juniors and peers … [Read more...] about You Know What Your Boss Thinks, but Does Your Team Hate You?
Start Doing These 4 Things to Receive BAD Feedback Like a High Performer
Nobody likes to receive bad feedback. Why? Because it feels like conflict and we hate hearing that we've not done a perfect job. What if I told you that the highest performers in any organization tend to turn the feedback process into a positive experience for the person delivering feedback, even if the feedback received is negative? Done correctly, it's possible to leave … [Read more...] about Start Doing These 4 Things to Receive BAD Feedback Like a High Performer
Interview: This man went back to audit after 5 years in industry – would you?
If you’ve worked in audit, you’ve heard a million stories about people who have left the public accounting/auditing world for industry, in search of better pay and fewer hours. But how many accountants have you heard of who left for industry, rose up the ranks, and then left it all to go back to auditing (no doubt taking a reasonable pay cut in the process)? Meet Ruan … [Read more...] about Interview: This man went back to audit after 5 years in industry – would you?
Feeling overwhelmed? Here’s how to manage your workload better
Three things are certain in life:Death;taxes;and the fact that the more senior you get in a professional services firm, the more you’re going to feel overwhelmed by expectations that are seemingly flying at you from all angles. I’m sure you’ve guessed that this article is not going to be about death nor taxes. Indeed, it’s all about something that I find myself working … [Read more...] about Feeling overwhelmed? Here’s how to manage your workload better
Coaching: the thought that changed my entire perspective
I’ve always been a fan of good coaching, and ensuring that our teams in professional services maintain a good coaching culture. Despite this, a single sentence completely changed how I understood the importance of coaching: “One conversation can change a person’s life“ This is something that I first remember hearing on one of the leadership courses I was fortunate enough … [Read more...] about Coaching: the thought that changed my entire perspective
You and your firm: Are you getting as much as they’re taking?
It’s no secret that professional services firms - especially public accounting and law firms - demand a lot from their employees. It’s also common knowledge that, as a young professional working in these firms, you’re unlikely to be paid as much your friends who’ve gone out into industry. So why do people even bother working in professional services? They do it because there’s … [Read more...] about You and your firm: Are you getting as much as they’re taking?