You'll never forget the first time someone bursts into tears when hearing your feedback. If you care about your teams, there are few worse feelings in the world. For this reason, many of us shy away from delivering critical feedback. Unfortunately - as most of us soon find out - this only makes things worse in the long run. As someone who's had the responsibility of giving … [Read more...] about Avoiding Tears and Tantrums: Giving Negative Feedback Like a Pro
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An AI has this advice to young professionals for 2023
It’s a time of great change for me. In this case, great change happens to come with the benefit of a short career break; A chance to reflect on the past and contemplate the future. Also, a time to get back to writing content for you and all the other Trench Life readers (sorry that we’ve neglected you). In the spirit of change and looking forward, I thought I’d dabble in … [Read more...] about An AI has this advice to young professionals for 2023
When’s the last time you prioritised yourself?
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?
“Why doesn’t my manager listen to me?” – Communicating better with your managers
How often do you feel frustrated that your manager just doesn’t seem to listen to you or is not interested in your ideas? Do you blame the manager for not understanding you? What if it is actually you who needs to adapt? When we are fresh out of university and first join a new workplace, communication is often the most important skill to learn, and also the skill that … [Read more...] about “Why doesn’t my manager listen to me?” – Communicating better with your managers
3 Popular Career Myths – Fact or Fairytale?
As I continue to progress through my career, I have uncovered that there are a few things we have been taught about climbing up the corporate ladder or building a career that simply aren't true. Let’s get myth-busting! Career Myth 1: You NEED to absolutely love your job One defining factor here is the fact that job ≠ career. These concepts are often used … [Read more...] about 3 Popular Career Myths – Fact or Fairytale?
Taking the Leap of Faith – Why You Should Live Overseas for a Year
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
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