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Trench Life

A blog for young professionals navigating careers in the trenches!

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Mark Atkinson

When’s the last time you prioritised yourself?

May 3, 2022 by Mark Atkinson 2 Comments

Prioritise yourself - young professional services

As a young professional, you know that working in professional services is tough. It's hard work and it can feel super draining. Every slavery analogy you see on audit/consulting subreddits gets you one step closer to handing in your resignation and trying to become a travel blogger from a beach in Singapore. I get it, I’ve lived it. Now, time for two wildly unpopular … [Read more...] about When’s the last time you prioritised yourself?

Taking the Leap of Faith – Why You Should Live Overseas for a Year

September 22, 2021 by Mark Atkinson 1 Comment

Travel - leap of faith - moving overseas

Travel has a way of bringing great fulfilment to our lives. If you've ever traveled to another country, you've broadened your horizons somewhat already. You may have experienced a radically different culture in India. Your palate might have been treated to some tantalising Spanish tapas. Perhaps your eyes have feasted on grandiose architecture in Paris, or maybe your emotions … [Read more...] about Taking the Leap of Faith – Why You Should Live Overseas for a Year

5 Ways to Manage Without Micromanaging: Avoid Being a Nightmare Leader

August 18, 2021 by Mark Atkinson Leave a Comment

Micromanagement - puppeteer

It doesn't make sense to hire smart people and then tell them what to do; we hire smart people so they can tell us what to do. Steve Jobs Micromanagement is the Achilles heel of any high-performing team. From an organisational perspective, it typically leads to a decrease in productivity, lower employee engagement, and less innovation. Simply put: if you're a junior team … [Read more...] about 5 Ways to Manage Without Micromanaging: Avoid Being a Nightmare Leader

“How are you?” – The 3 most infuriating words in the English language?

August 14, 2021 by Mark Atkinson 3 Comments

Going to War against "how are you" - Simpsons

An IM notification from a colleague pops up on your laptop. "Hi, how are you?" [Thinking: "I'm living through a pandemic and hate my life." ] "Good, you?" You scroll through the conversation history. This is the fourth time Samantha has asked you how you are... in the last 3 hours. You thought you were okay, but now you start to doubt yourself. The scenario repeats … [Read more...] about “How are you?” – The 3 most infuriating words in the English language?

Mentors that Matter: Finding the Right Mentor at Work

July 12, 2021 by Mark Atkinson Leave a Comment

Mentors that matter: Finding the right mentor at work

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

July 8, 2021 by Mark Atkinson 2 Comments

Becoming a leader - 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

June 27, 2021 by Mark Atkinson Leave a Comment

Busy season: Studio shot of young woman working in office covered with adhesive notes

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

June 19, 2021 by Mark Atkinson Leave a Comment

Fresh off the boat 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?

June 8, 2021 by Mark Atkinson Leave a Comment

Unhappy team

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

May 31, 2021 by Mark Atkinson Leave a Comment

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

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  • When’s the last time you prioritised yourself?
  • “Why doesn’t my manager listen to me?” – Communicating better with your managers
  • 3 Popular Career Myths – Fact or Fairytale?
  • Taking the Leap of Faith – Why You Should Live Overseas for a Year
  • 5 Ways to Manage Without Micromanaging: Avoid Being a Nightmare Leader

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